Classic Apple Cobbler

Classic apple cobbler recipe

The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings

This apple cobbler, made with Granny Smith apples, is topped with a cinnamon-spiced cake batter. With fresh apples available year-round, this dessert is excellent for any season. Granny Smith apples are a good all-purpose baking apple, but you can swap them for Cortland, Braeburn, Honeycrisp, and Jonagold.

Warm apple cobbler is fantastic with a simple drizzling of heavy cream, and it is even more amazing served with a scoop of ice cream. Alternatively, top the apple cobbler with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or whipped topping and sprinkle it with some cinnamon sugar or drizzle with caramel sauce.

Ingredients

  • For the Apple Filling: 
  • 5 cups tart apples (such as Granny Smith, peeled and sliced)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon butter (cut into small pieces)
  • For the Topping: 
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • Optional: cinnamon sugar (for topping)
  • Optional: vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (for serving)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for classic apple cobbler
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  2. Heat the oven to 375 F. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan.

  3. Combine the sliced apples, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, water, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and toss.

    Sugar, spices, and apples in a mixing bowl
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  4. Add the mixture to the prepared baking pan.

    Apples in pan
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  5. Dot apples with the pieces of butter.

    Dot apples with butter
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  6. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and beaten egg and beat until blended.

    Cobbler batter mixed in a bowl
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  7. Using a tablespoon, drop the batter evenly over the apple filling mixture. If desired, sprinkle the batter with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.

    Unbaked apple cobbler in a pan
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the apples are tender and crust is golden brown.

    Apple cobbler baked
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  9. Serve the apple cobbler warm with a drizzling of heavy cream or a scoop of ice cream.

    Apple cobbler topped with ice cream
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii
  10. Enjoy!

    Apple cobbler serving on a plate with ice cream
    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

How to Store and Freeze

  • Store apple cobbler at room temperature, covered, for up to 2 days. Or refrigerate the covered cobbler for up to 4 days.
  • Like fruit pies, cobblers freeze well. Place leftover cobbler (individual portions or slab) on a baking sheet, uncovered, and freeze until solid. Wrap the frozen cobbler well and freeze for up to 4 months.
  • To reheat frozen cobbler, let it stand at room temperature for 1 hour and then reheat at 350 F for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until warm.

Tips

  • To keep the apples from browning and add some tartness, toss the slices with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
  • To make the filling in advance, prepare the apple filling mixture and toss with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Transfer the filling mixture to the baking dish. Dot with butter. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and foil; freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost the filling, prepare the topping, and bake as directed.

Recipe Variations

  • If using a different variety of apple than Granny Smith, you may want to adjust the amount of sugar in the filling depending on the sweetness of the apple.
  • Instead of apples, use Bosc or Anjou pears in this cobbler. Peel and core the pears and then slice them thinly.
  • Replace the cinnamon with apple pie spice, or use a mixture of 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon each of nutmeg and ground cloves.

What is the Difference Between a Cobbler and a Crisp?

Crisps and crumbles are made with a streusel topping. Crisps usually include oats in the topping. Cobblers are baked with a biscuit or cake-like topping.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
313 Calories
8g Fat
58g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 313
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 11%
Saturated Fat 4g 19%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Sodium 395mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 58g 21%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Protein 3g
Calcium 77mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)