Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe

by Sam Adler on Sep 18, 2023 (updated Oct 31, 2023) 0 comments

5 stars (1 rating)

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With a blend of cinnamon, citrus zest, and a golden biscuit topping, this easy recipe for Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler perfectly balances the tart and sweet flavors of Honeycrisp apples in a simple dessert for Fall. Enjoy on a cozy afternoon or as a sweet part of brunch!

Apple cobbler with ice cream on top and a sliced scooped out with a spoon. — Top this cobbler with ice cream for a treat!

While many fruits can be used to make a cobbler, I love using apples, especially when they’re in season.

Using apples in cobbler brings a satisfying balance of sweetness and texture to the dessert. But you can’t just use any apple; you need to use an apple that is firm, sweet, and holds it’s shape well when baking. The best apple to use in a cobbler recipe (or any apple dessert) is Honey crisp!

As a professional baker , I can tell you there is a difference between a cobbler and a crisp. A cobbler is a rustic dessert known for its easy and quick preparation. It is different from a crisp because of it’s topping. A cobbler has a biscuit topping and a crisp has a crunchy streusel topping. Both desserts have fruity and warm fillings.

Apple cobbler is a simple and easy dessert to whip up. Just combine Honey crisp apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, and spices for the filling, and top with a buttery biscuit dough made with simple ingredients. Bake until golden brown and serve while warm!

With its warm and spiced filling, this apple dessert can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a dollop of chantilly cream to enhance its comforting flavors, making the perfect taste of the season!

If you have a ton of apples you can also easily make these apple pie bars, puff pastry apple pie, or this cinnamon roll apple pie to spice it up a little!

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS RECIPE

This apple cobbler recipe is easy and quick to put together!
If you have an abundance of apples, you can double this recipe easily.
The warm taste and contrast if texture in this dessert is something you will love.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

Ingredients for an apple cobbler. — I use Honey Crisp apples because they hold their shape well.

Honeycrisp Apples – These apples provide a crisp texture and natural sweetness, forming the body of the filling.
Lemon Juice – Adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness while preventing the apples from browning.
Brown Sugar – Deepens the flavor with its molasses notes, adding sweetness and richness to the filling.
Flour – Works as a binding agent, helping to thicken the apple filling and giving it structure.
Cornstarch – Assists in thickening the apple juices, ensuring a consistent and luscious filling.
Ground Cinnamon – Brings warmth and gentle spiciness, enhancing the overall flavor of the dessert.
Kosher Salt – Accentuates the natural flavors of the ingredients and balances the sweetness.

Biscuit Topping:

All Purpose Flour – Creates the foundation of the biscuit topping, offering structure, and a tender crumb.
White Sugar- Adds sweetness to the batter.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda – These leavening agents help the biscuit topping rise, making it light and fluffy.
Kosher Salt – Amplifies the flavors in the biscuit, ensuring a well-rounded taste.
Cinnamon – Infuses the biscuit with a hint of warm spice, complementing the apple filling.
Unsalted Butter – Provides richness, moisture, and flakiness to the biscuit while enhancing its flavor.
Buttermilk – Introduces acidity and tang, helping in the rise of the biscuit while imparting a soft texture and depth of flavor.

HOW TO MAKE APPLE COBBLER WITH BISCUIT TOPPING

Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350° F and spray an 8×8 baking dish with baking spray. Set aside.

Make the apple filling: In a large bowl, add the apple wedges, brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Using your hands, toss the ingredients together until well combined. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Make the biscuit topping: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix until fully combined. Add the cold butter into the dry mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to press the butter into the dry ingredient until small clumps form that are no larger than a pea. Pour in the buttermilk, then mix until a thick batter is formed.

Bake and cool: Use a spoon to add dollops of the biscuit dough on top of the apple filling and spread it all over the apples with wet hands. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy!

Apples tossed in brown sugar in a baking dish. — Add the spiced apples to the baking dish.

Dry ingredients for biscuit batter in a bowl. — Cut in the butter- you can just pinch it into the flour with your hands.

Biscuit topping batter in a bowl. — The biscuit batter is lumpy.

Biscuit batter over an apple cobbler. — Wet your hands to easily spread the batter.

TIPS FOR RECIPE SUCCESS

Choose fresh and firm Honeycrisp apples for the best flavor and texture; their natural sweetness and crispness shine in this cobbler.
When combining the apples with other filling ingredients, ensure they are evenly coated to achieve a consistent flavor throughout the dish.
For the biscuit dough, using cold butter is essential; it creates pockets of steam when baking, which results in a flakier, more tender topping.
Avoid overmixing the biscuit dough, as doing so can make it dense; mix just until the ingredients come together.
To check the cobbler’s doneness, insert a toothpick into the biscuit topping; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s ready.
If the topping browns too quickly during baking, loosely cover the cobbler with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.
Letting the cobbler sit for a few minutes after baking allows the juices to thicken slightly, making for a richer filling when served.
For an extra touch of indulgence, brush the biscuit dough with heavy cream and sprinkle it with sugar before baking.

STORAGE AND FREEZING

Storing: Once cooled, apple cobbler can be covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and stored in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350° F for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual servings until warm.

Freezing: If you’d like to freeze the cobbler for later use, allow it to cool completely first. Wrap the baking dish tightly with both plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen cobbler can be stored for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in a 350° F oven until warmed through.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of apple besides Honeycrisp?

While Honeycrisp apples offer a unique blend of sweetness and crispness, other varieties like Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Fuji can also be used if you can’t find Honeycrisp.

What if I don’t have buttermilk on hand for the biscuit topping?

You can make a simple buttermilk substitute by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk, letting it sit for about 5 minutes until it curdles slightly.

Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend in both the filling and the biscuit topping. Ensure that other ingredients like baking powder and baking soda are gluten-free too.