Best Apple Cobbler Recipe for a Fall Dessert — Sugar & Cloth (2024)

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.

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!

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.

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 thecobbler.

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!

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 4 – Spread 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.

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 7 – Stir 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.

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.

More Fall Dessert Recipes

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

• No-Bake Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie
• Pumpkin Crumb Cake
• Gingerbread Muffin With Lemon Glaze
• Cheesecake Stuffed Apples
• Skillet Peach Cobbler

Don’t forget to share your apple cobbler with us onInstagramusing the hashtag#sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? You can find them allright herewith a fewbitesto go along with them!