Apple Cobbler Recipe – A Couple Cooks

This apple cobbler recipe is easy and cozy! A biscuit-meets-sugar-cookie topping covers a sweetly-spiced fruit layer.

Here’s a cozy baked good that’s calling your name: this easy apple cobbler recipe! The topping is a meld of a biscuit and a sugar cookie, chewy, sweet and baked into golden-brown dollops. It covers a sweetly-spiced apple layer that’s flavored with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and lemon zest for a little pop. Top it with melty vanilla ice cream and there’s really nothing more we want in an apple dessert.

Ingredients in apple cobbler

This apple cobbler recipe is a spin on the classic cobbler, a classic easy dessert. A cobbler is a baked dessert with fruit filling that’s topped with dollops of biscuit-like dough. It differs from a crisp or crumble in that it doesn’t use oats or nuts in the topping.

Traditionally are a few different ways to make a cobbler topping: a biscuit like topping that forms dollops on top of the dough, or a cake-like topping that is relatively flat. This apple cobbler recipe is a mix of these two styles, with a texture between a biscuit and a sugar cookie! It’s sweet but not overly saccharine like some cobblers. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Crisp tart apples: Tart apples are best for baking, and crisp apples hold their shape better than softer apples which can become mushy.
• Brown sugar and granulated sugar: The mix of sugars adds nuance to the flavor, but you can use all granulated sugar if preferred.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is essential or the filling will be watery instead of gooey. Substitute arrowroot powder if desired.
• Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract: This mix of cozy spices is key! If desired, you can use only cinnamon for a similar effect.
• Lemon juice and lemon zest: Lemon juice and zest makes the flavors pop, similar to salt with savory food.
• All-purpose flour, baking soda and salt: These essential ingredients make the base of the topping.
• Butter: Stirring in melted butter makes this topping quick and easy.
• Egg yolk: The egg yolk is the secret ingredient that makes a smooth, cookie-like dough.

Best type of apples for cobbler

The best variety of apples for cobbler is a firm, crisp tart apple. Crisp tart apples cook well and the tangy tartness accents the sweetness of baked goods. Of course, you can use any type of apple you like in this apple cobbler recipe. But other apple varieties can end up in a mushy, sweeter filling that’s not as satisfying as with a crisp tart apple. Here are some of the best apples for baking and cooking:

• Pink Lady
• Jonathon or Jonagold
• Granny Smith
• Fuji

What makes this an easy apple cobbler?

Some apple cobbler recipes claim to be easy, but then they call for things like 5 pounds of apples (which take forever to peel!) or cooking the apple filling in advance. Here are a few things that make this apple cobbler recipe fun and easy:

• It calls for 2 pounds of apples, which don’t take too long to peel and slice.
• Melted butter goes right into the easy filling, so you don’t have to cut in room temperature butter (which can take a while).
• It bakes right away, with no need to pre-cook a filling.

A trick to cutting apples

Here’s a trick for how to cut apples quickly for apple cobbler! If you’re not cutting your apples this way, it’s game changing. This method for slicing apples is so slick, you can slice one up in just a few seconds. Here’s what to do:

• Peel the apple.
• Set the apple upright, and cut off each of the four sides around the core.
• Place each slide on its flat edge and slice into thin slices.

Ways to serve apple cobbler

This apple cobbler recipe warm from the oven is the best easy dessert to share with friends and family. But don’t forget the topping! To us, vanilla ice cream is required: it contrasts the sweet cake of the cobbler and rounds out the overall experience. Here are a few ways to serve it:

• Vanilla ice cream. Classic! Warm cobbler with cold ice cream is perfection.
• Whipped cream. This homemade whipped cream makes just the right rich and creamy counterpoint.
• Creme fraiche. This thick cream is perfect over fruit desserts. Use purchased or homemade creme fraiche.

Storage and make ahead info

This apple cobbler recipe is best the day it is made. For best results, allow it to cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. This lets the texture set and brings it to a warm temperature.

Apple cobbler also works made in advance! It’s best prepared the night before, but it stores up to 3 days refrigerated. Reheat in a 350°F oven until room temperature or warm before serving.

Diet variations

Want to make a vegan apple cobbler? Make this recipe with vegan butter and replace the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon dairy free milk.

More apple recipes

This apple cobbler recipe is one of our favorite apple recipes! It’s great as a fall dessert or Thanksgiving dessert. Here are a few more fun recipes with this tasty fruit: