Apple Cobbler Recipe

The quintessential fall dessert, apple cobblers with a scoop of ice cream are the best way to end a meal. This easy recipe perfectly showcases fall’s seasonal fruit.

photo of the apple cobbler dessert with a scoop of ice cream by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Fall brings cooler weather, which means that it’s actually a good idea to turn the oven on again! Traditional comfort baking is one of the best ways to welcome the season.

And besides crisp air and changing leaves, that’s one of my, Rebecca’s favorite things about the season. 

This apple cobbler is the quintessential fall dessert. Baked apples and cinnamon, a sweet soft topping — what’s not to love?

Even if you’ve never had it before, apple cobbler is sure to become an immediate favorite. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, I guarantee it’ll be love at first bite!

photo of an easy fall dessert, the apple cobbler by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

What is an Apple Cobbler?

Apple cobbler is a traditional baked fall dessert. It has a layer of spiced apples topped with a sweet cake-like topping.

The juice and sugar from the baked apples create a caramel-like sauce. And when baked, the cobbler has a golden brown top and slightly crisp edges.

How’s Apple Cobbler Different From Apple Crisp?

There is a difference between apple pie, apple cobbler, and apple crisp. And the biggest reason is the crust!

Pies are encased in a pastry crust. Whereas baking cobblers, they’re simply topped with a pastry or dough. So it’s definitely an easy dessert to tackle before pie!

Apple crisps are similar to apple cobblers. However, crisps have a crumbly biscuit topping.

Another take our apple pie hand pies, which are a portable version.

photo of the apple cobbler baked in a dish topped with ice cream by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Ingredients Needed to Make Apple Cobbler

  • 8 cups of baking apples — See the notes on the best apples for baking. 8 cups are about 4 large apples or 6-7 small apples.
  • Lemon juice — This helps keep the apples from oxidizing, or turning brown when cut open and exposed to air.
  • Brown sugar — It mixes with the cream and juices from the apples and creates a caramel-like, delicious syrup around the apples
  • Cinnamon — Because nothing goes better with apples.
  • Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, and butter — These pantry and refrigerator staples make up the batter that’s poured on top of the cobbler.
photo of how to make the apple cobbler filling by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

What Kinds of Apples are Best for Baking?

With so many varieties available in the supermarket, it can be overwhelming to pick the best kind of apples for baking!

As a general rule, you want to look for apples that are fairly firm and will hold their shape while baking. And because you’re adding sugar when baking with apples, something a bit tart will add a bright flavor contrast. 

Some of the best kinds of apples for baking are Granny Smiths Apples, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Gala, or Braeburn.

You can also mix up varieties to get different flavors in your apple desserts. So don’t be afraid to experiment with the different types of apples and have fun!

close up photo of the apple cobbler recipe by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

How to Make Apple Cobbler

Start by preheating the oven to 350F and grease an 8”x8” baking dish (or any dish that holds 8 cups).

To make the apple filling:

Step 1 – Peel, core, and slice the apples very thinly. Try to get them about ⅛” thick so that they cook down and are soft when the topping is done.

Step 2 Next, toss the apples with the lemon juice to coat them. 

In a separate small bowl, combine 1/3 cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon together. Make sure the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, sprinkle it over the apples and stir them in to cover the apples.

Step 3 – Pour the cream over the top of the apples and stir until it’s evenly distributed over them.

Step 4Spread the apple mixture in an even layer at the bottom. You can use a greased 2-quart baking dish, an 8” square dish, or anything of a similar size to hold your apple cobbler.

photo of the best apple cobbler recipe by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

To make the apple cobbler topping:

Step 5 Stir the flour, white sugar, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, salt, and baking powder together. 

Step 6 Create a well in the center and pour in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract.

Step 7Stir together until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and you have a thin, pourable batter. 

Step 8 Pour the batter evenly over the apples, moving the bowl back and forth to cover all of them. Some of it will settle into the fruit, but that’s fine!

Step 9 Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top of the apple cobbler is a golden delicious brown. Insert a toothpick in the center and make sure it comes out without any batter on it.

Step 10 Pull the apple cobbler out of the oven. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before serving with vanilla ice cream of whipped cream.

photo of an apple cobbler as an easy dessert for a dinner party by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

How to Store and Reheat Apple Cobbler

We recommend storing the apple cobbler in the refrigerator. You can cover your baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer the cobbler to an airtight container.

To reheat the apple cobbler, place it in an oven-safe dish that has been preheated to 350F. Allow warming for 8-10 minutes or until it’s heated through.

Apple cobbler can also be frozen. To freeze, cover the cobbler dish with plastic wrap and foil, then place it on a shelf in the freezer.

Remove several hours before serving. And heat in an oven that has been preheated to 350F for 10-15 minutes. Or until the apple cobbler is thoroughly warm and the top has begun to crisp around the edges again.

photo of an apple cobbler being served with ice cream by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

More Fall Dessert Recipes

For more easy desserts that highlight fall’s best fruits, check out a few of our favorites from the archives —

photo of the recipe card on how to make an apple cobbler recipe by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth
close up photo of the apple cobbler recipe by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth

Apple Cobbler Recipe

Print Recipe
4.67 from 15 votes
Baked apples and cinnamon, a sweet soft topping — what’s not to love about apple cobbler?
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine Cobbler

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • 2-quart baking dish or 8" square dish or any dish that holds 8 cups

Ingredients

For the apple filling:

  • 8 cup baking apples Granny Smiths, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Gala, or Braeburn are ideal.
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp cream

For the cobbler batter:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt 
  • 6 tbsp butter melted
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 452IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 8
Calories: 368kcal

Notes

  • Makes 8-9 servings
  • Storing the apple cobbler in the refrigerator. You can cover your baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer the cobbler to an airtight container.
  • To reheat the apple cobbler, place it in an oven safe dish that has been preheated to 350F. Allow to warm for 8-10 minutes or until it’s heated through.
  • To freeze, cover the cobbler dish with plastic wrap and foil, then place on a shelf in the freezer. Remove several hours before serving. And heat in an oven that has been preheated to 350F for 10-15 minutes. Or until the apple cobbler is thoroughly warm and the top has begun to crisp around the edges again.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F and grease your baking dish.

To make the apple filling:

  • Peel, core, and slice the apples very thinly. Try to get them about ⅛” thick so that they cook down and are soft when the topping is done.
  • Toss the apples with the lemon juice to coat them. 
  • In a separate small bowl, combine 1/3 cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon together. Make sure the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Then, sprinkle it over the apples and stir them in to cover the apples.
  • Pour the cream over the top of the apples and stir until it’s evenly distributed over them.
  • Spread the apple mixture in an even layer at the bottom.

To Make The Apple Cobbler Topping:

  • Stir the flour, white sugar, 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, salt, and baking powder together. 
  • Create a well in the center and pour in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir together until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and you have a thin, pourable batter. 
  • Pour the batter evenly over the apples, moving the bowl back and forth to cover all of them. Some of it will settle into the fruit, but that’s fine! Some of the apple slices might stick out of the topping a bit, and that’s also alright.
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the top of the apple cobbler is a golden delicious brown. Insert a toothpick in the center and make sure it comes out without any batter on it.
  • Pull the apple cobbler out of the oven. Allow it to cool for a couple of minutes before serving with vanilla ice cream of whipped cream.
KEYWORD: apple cobbler

Don’t forget to share your apple cobbler with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? You can find them all right here!

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

10 thoughts on “Apple Cobbler Recipe”

  1. Just made this today for dessert after Sunday dinner. It was delicious, and was even more so after adding a scoop or two of vanilla bean ice cream. Will definitely make again, may try to find some more tart apples to vary the flavor!5 stars

    Reply
  2. You list 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon in ingredients list. in Directions you state 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Please clarify. Also you list in ingredients 4 tsps salt. That seems like a lot of salt. Is the salt measurement correct?

    Reply
    • Hi Dorothy! We just checked with our recipe contributor, Rebecca. It should be 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Thank you for asking! That has been updated. And please only use 1/4 tsps of salt. Yes, 4 is a lot!

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Leave a Rating: