With spiced apples on the bottom and a biscuit-like topping, this Easy Apple Cobbler is a simple fall dessert that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle of caramel sauce!
Want to try a different fruit? Don’t miss our Blueberry Cobbler made with fresh or frozen berries, to make it year round.
Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
Next to freshly baked apple pie, I’d say that apple cobbler is the most quintessential fall dessert. But, unlike apple pie, apple cobbler is incredibly easy to make. No special baking skills or pans needed to make this easy apple cobbler.
This recipe starts with apple slices tossed with apple pie spice and brown sugar. Then the apple filling is topped with spoonfuls of batter, making a drop biscuit topping that bakes up to be soft on the inside and crisp and golden on the outside. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and some caramel sauce and you have perhaps the most perfect fall dessert!
The best part? This easy apple cobbler takes just minutes to assemble – there’s no difficult dough to work with or special equipment needed, just apples and a baking dish.
What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple cobbler?
Apple crisp and apple cobblers are both very similar, as they involve apples tossed with spices and baked with a topping. Both are incredibly easy to make too. The main difference is what’s in the topping. Apple crisps tend to have something crispy in the topping, like oats. Apple cobbler, on the other hand, has more of a buttery biscuit-like batter baked on top. Both are absolutely delicious!
What You’ll Need
This easy fall dessert is made with all things apple – apple juice, apple pie spice and, of course, lots of apples – plus a handful of other ingredients. The biscuit-like topping is made with just a few staples as well.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
For the Apples
- Apples: And kind of baking apple works. (See recommendations below.)
- Apple juice: Adds some extra apple flavor to the dessert.
- Brown sugar: For sweetness with a hint of molasses.
- Lemon juice: Helps stop the apples from browning.
- Cornstarch: To thicken the juices as the fruit bakes.
- Vanilla: For added flavor.
- Apple pie spice: Adds that wonderful warm, fall flavor. We use our homemade apple pie spice recipe.
- Salt: To elevate the other flavors.
For the Topping
- Flour: Simple all-purpose flour.
- Cornstarch: This helps the dough be flaky and tender.
- Apple pie spice: Ensures there’s warm fall flavor in every bite!
- Baking powder: Our leavening agent that gives the biscuit topping a little lift.
- Salt: For flavor.
- Butter: Soften to room temperature.
- Granulated sugar: For sweetness.
- Egg: This acts as a binder so the dough stays together.
- Vanilla extract: For flavor.
- Turbinado sugar: Optional, but adds a wonderful textural crunch to the outside.
- For serving: Whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.
What are the best apples to use?
You can use any variety of baking apples in apple cobbler so just use your favorites. We like to use Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp and Pink Lady. You can use more than one type of apple for a variety in flavor.
How to Make Apple Cobbler
One reason I love apple cobbler is how incredibly easy it is to make. Here’s a brief summary:
(For all the details, scroll below to the complete printable recipe card.)
- Make the apple filling. Toss all of the apple ingredients until the apples are coated. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Make the topping. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, apple pie spice, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Add in the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Drop the topping batter over the apple mixture. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Serve and enjoy. Cool for 15 minutes then serve with ice cream or whipped cream!
Serving Suggestions
Apple cobbler is best enjoyed warm, especially fresh from the oven! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or for an extra indulgent treat, add some homemade whipped cream or use that in place of the ice cream. Take it up even another level with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Swoon, you guys.
How to Store
- Leftovers: While technically you can store apple cobbler at room temperature, according to the USDA, I always store mine in the fridge. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days then just pop individual servings in the microwave to warm before eating again.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze apple cobbler that’s already been baked, allow it to cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and again in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
More Easy Apple Desserts:
A bowl of I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
For the Apples
- 3 apples (peeled, cored, and sliced into bite-sized pieces, 1/4-inch thick)
- 1/3 cup apple juice
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Topping
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (optional)
For serving
- vanilla ice cream
- whipped cream
- caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl toss all of the apple ingredients together until combined and the apples are coated. Transfer to the baking dish.
- Make the topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, apple pie spice, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring just until ingredients are combined.
- Drop batter by rounded tablespoons over the apple mixture (try to cover as much of filling as possible.) Sprinkle the turbinado sugar over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbling. (If the top is over-browning, you can tent with foil toward the end of baking.)
- Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired, and enjoy!
Easy, simple. And a great way NOT to let those apples go to waste!! I like the simplicity of your recipes. Thanks