This apple cobbler recipe is an old-fashioned dessert perfect for fall. With tender apples, cozy fall spices, and a biscuit-like topping, all thatโ€™s missing is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream! 

Apple cobbler served in a casserole dish topped with three scoops of vanilla ice cream.

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Apple cobbler is a classic American dessert that dates back to colonial times. While there are blueberry cobbler, strawberry cobbler and peach cobbler recipes, nothing says fall like a spiced apple cobbler baking in the oven!

Now, a lot of people get confused about apple cobblers, apple crisps, and apple crumbles, thinking theyโ€™re simply three different terms for the same dessert. While theyโ€™re all similar, they definitely arenโ€™t the same!

An apple cobbler has a biscuit-like topping and is usually baked in a deeper dish than a crisp or a crumble. An apple crisp has a streusel topping made with oats, flour, butter, and sugar, and an apple crumble has a streusel topping, too, but without the oats.

Top down image of apple cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream served in a white round bowl, bowl of whole apples.

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

The nice thing about this apple cobbler recipe is that itโ€™s forgiving! If you have trouble getting pie crust perfectly crimped on the edges, youโ€™ll love that a cobbler simply involves plopping the dough on top of the filling.

In fact, โ€œcobbler” originally referred to a type of pie made with a top crust only (no bottom crust), so the name may come from the fact that the dough is “cobbled” together on top of the fruit. Another theory is that the name comes from the way the top crust resembles a cobblestone street.  

Whatever you do, donโ€™t forget to serve your cobbler with a scoop of ice cream. Warm apple cobbler with melting vanilla ice cream on top is the perfect fall treat!

(Love this recipe? Try my Skillet Apple Crisp next!)

Ingredients to make apple cobbler.

Ingredients for Apple Cobbler

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

For the filling:

  • Granny Smith apples โ€“ Youโ€™ll need to peel, core, and dice them.
  • Lemon โ€“ Lemon juice balances the flavors in the filling, and it also keeps the apples from turning brown.
  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Cinnamon โ€“ If youโ€™d like, you can use apple pie spice instead of the individual spices listed here.
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Kosher salt
  • Vanilla extract โ€“ Vanilla extract is always a good choice with apples, but if youโ€™re in the mood for something different, try almond extract instead.
  • All-purpose flour โ€“ This thickens the filling; if you have a strong preference for thickening with cornstarch or tapioca, those are fine too.
  • Ground ginger 
ingredients to make apple cobbler topping.

For the topping:

  • All-purpose flour โ€“ Be sure to lightly spoon the flour into the measuring cup, rather than scooping it.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter โ€“ The butter should be as cold as possible to get the perfect texture for the topping.
  • Whole milk
  • Salt

Variations

  • Use cornstarch to thicken the filling, and use gluten-free flour to make the topping for gluten-free apple cobbler.
  • Salted butter can be used if you omit the salt in the filling and the topping.
  • Gala apples, Honeycrisp apples, and Golden Delicious apples are great for making apple cobbler.
  • Consider including other ingredients in the filling, such as raisins.
Steps to make apple cobbler.

How to Make Apple Cobbler

  1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350ยบF, and grease a 10-inch pie pan or 9×13 baking dish.ย 
  2. Make the filling: For the filling, add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl, and toss to coat evenly. Transfer the filling to the prepared dish. Set aside.
  3. Make the biscuit topping: Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender, two forks, or your hands until the consistency is of coarse crumbs. Slowly stir in the milk a little at a time to moisten the dough.
  4. Assemble and bake: Drop spoonfuls of the topping over the apple filling. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and sprinkle some extra cinnamon on top, if desired. A drizzle of caramel sauce is delicious too!
Close up of a bowl of apple cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Quick Tip

The best apples for a cobbler are Granny Smith Apples. They are tart, firm, and hold up well during baking!

How to Store Apple Cobbler

Leftover cobbler can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds before serving.ย 

Serving Suggestions

Serve this apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce!

FAQs

What is apple cobbler made of?

Apple cobbler is made with an apple filling or base. Then, a biscuit-like dough is baked on top of it.ย 

What kind of apples are best for cobblers?

The best apples for cobbler are Granny Smith apples. They are tart and firm, and they hold up well during baking.

How do you keep cobbler from getting soggy?

This apple cobbler recipe shouldnโ€™t get soggy, because youโ€™ll add flour to thicken the filling.

Can you make cobbler the night before?

Apple cobbler is best served fresh out of the oven when itโ€™s nice and warm! If you want to get a head start, you can assemble the cobbler the night before, but you will need to bake it for a few minutes longer since it will be cold going into the oven.

More Apple Dessert Recipes

A dish of apple cobbler topped with three scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Apple Cobbler

This apple cobbler recipe is an old-fashioned dessert perfect for fall. With tender apples, cozy fall spices, and a biscuit-like topping, all thatโ€™s missing is a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!ย 
No ratings yet
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Equipment

  • 10" Pie Dish (or a 9×13 Baking Dish)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Pastry Blender

Ingredients  

Filling

  • 6 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and ยฝโ€ diced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • ยผ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ยฝ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon powdered ginger optional

Topping

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ยฝ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter cold, diced
  • ยฝ cup whole milk

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 10โ€ pie dish or 9×13 baking dish.
  • For the filling, add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and toss to coat evenly. Transfer the filling to the prepared dish. Set aside.
    6 large Granny Smith apples, Juice of 1 lemon, ยผ cup unsalted butter, ยฝ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
  • For the topping, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut in the butter until the consistency is coarse crumbs. Gradually add the milk a little at a time to moisten the dough. It should resemble wet cake batter.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, ยฝ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, Pinch of salt, ยฝ cup whole milk
  • Drop spoonfuls of topping dough onto the apples to cover. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 400mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 486IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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