Apple Cobbler
A delightful dessert featuring baked apples and a buttery, crumbly topping, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the apple filling
- 5 pounds apples (peeled, about 9-11 large apples; use a variety of flavors) Recommended varieties include Granny Smith, Gala, and Golden Delicious.
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 small lemon)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 small lemon)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour See notes if you are making this without cooking the apples.
- 1 & ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cardamom (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cobbler topping
- 2 & ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 & ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup buttermilk Cheater version okay, see notes.
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup cold butter (chopped into chunks)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (granulated or raw sugar or both)
For serving
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream For serving, not optional!
Instructions
Make the apple filling
- Start by choosing your apples. You need about 5 pounds (9-11 apples).
- Zest 1/2 teaspoon of lemon peel into a large skillet.
- Slice the lemon in half and squeeze in about 3 tablespoons of juice.
- Peel and slice the apples thinly (about 1/8 inch thick). Add them to the skillet as you go, tossing with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Cook the apples
- If opting to cook your apples, set the skillet over medium heat.
- Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, optional cardamom, and kosher salt to the apples. Gently stir to mix.
- Cook covered for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the apples are just tender, then stir in vanilla.
- Transfer the caramel-coated apples to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Make the cobbler topping
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Mix together the dry ingredients: 2 & 1/2 cups flour, 1 & 1/2 cups sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg. Combine with the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or a fork to form a shaggy dough.
- Spread the batter evenly over the apples in the dish.
Bake
- Dot the top with chunks of butter and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- For a crispy top, broil for an additional 1-3 minutes, but watch it closely!
Cool and Serve
- Let cool for 15 minutes and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Apple cobbler is best served warm, ideally topped with vanilla ice cream. You can also add whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra sweetness. Store leftovers on the counter for up to two days, then refrigerate. Reheat before serving.