The Best Easy Homemade Apple Cobbler Recipe: A Simple & Delicious Fall Dessert

Discover the ultimate apple cobbler recipe that perfectly captures the essence of homemade comfort. This delightful dessert features a warmly spiced and perfectly sweet apple filling, crowned with an incredibly easy, quick, and tender drop biscuit topping. It’s a quintessential fall treat that brings joy to any occasion, whether a casual family dinner or a festive holiday gathering.

Apple cobbler in a white bowl, ready to enjoy, with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream.

Are you yearning for the comforting taste of apple pie but simply don’t have the time to commit to making a traditional crust? This simple apple cobbler recipe is your perfect solution! It delivers all the beloved flavors of a classic apple pie, but with significantly less fuss. Imagine a luscious, perfectly sweet, and warmly spiced apple filling, generously topped with a tender, golden-brown drop biscuit. It’s an ideal dessert for those moments when you crave something truly special but need a quick and straightforward preparation.

As apples are in season, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore a variety of delightful apple-based treats. Beyond this fantastic apple cobbler, you might enjoy other easy apple recipes like a classic easy apple pie, my Mom’s famous easy apple crisp, or a rustic Jewish apple cake, which is a wonderfully moist fresh apple cake. For those who love to experiment with flavors, consider unique combinations like apple butterscotch pie, comforting apple cinnamon rolls, or the festive spiced apple cider cranberry cupcakes. Each offers a different way to enjoy the versatility and deliciousness of fresh apples.

Why You Will Love This Easy Apple Cobbler
Professional Tips for Making Apple Cobbler
Ingredients for Your Delicious Apple Cobbler
Exciting Variations for Your Apple Cobbler
How to Make an Apple Cobbler: Step-by-Step Guide
Chef Lindsey’s Expert Recipe Tip
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cobbler
Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe Card
Before You Go: More Delicious Recipes

Why You Will Love This Easy Apple Cobbler

This easy apple cobbler isn’t just another dessert; it’s a testament to simple, delicious baking. Here’s why it’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen:

Easier than Pie! Forget the stress of rolling out and chilling pie dough. This apple cobbler delivers all the warm, spiced apple flavors you adore in a pie, but with half the effort. The filling requires no pre-cooking on the stovetop, and the drop biscuit topping is mixed quickly and simply, without any need for chilling. You’ll have this incredible cobbler prepped and in the oven in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected guests. It truly embodies efficiency without compromising on taste.
Tender and Crisp Drop Biscuit Topping. The crowning glory of this cobbler is its distinctive drop biscuit topping. By incorporating light brown sugar into the biscuit dough, we achieve a wonderful depth of flavor with warm, subtle molasses notes. The combination of baking powder and baking soda ensures that the topping rises beautifully and evenly, developing a perfectly crisp, golden-brown exterior that gives way to a delightfully tender and fluffy interior. Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures that complements the soft apple filling.
Each component can be made in advance. Planning ahead for dessert has never been easier! You have the flexibility to prepare both the apple filling and the biscuit dough ahead of time. The apple filling can be mixed and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or you can even use a homemade apple pie filling made on the stovetop. Similarly, the simple drop biscuit dough can be prepared 2-3 days in advance and kept chilled. This make-ahead capability means that on the day you want to serve, all you need to do is assemble the components and pop the cobbler into the oven for a freshly baked dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Inside view of apple cobbler showing juicy, warmly spiced apple filling beneath a golden biscuit topping.

Professional Tips for Making the Best Apple Cobbler

Achieving a truly exceptional apple cobbler is easy with a few expert insights. Follow these professional tips to ensure your dessert is perfect every time:

Don’t over-mix the drop biscuit dough. For a tender, flaky, and light drop biscuit topping, the golden rule is not to overmix the dough. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense biscuit instead of a delicate one. Since this recipe uses melted butter and heavy cream, it’s particularly easy to overwork the dough. Instead, mix just until the ingredients are combined and a few lumps still remain. A light hand here makes all the difference in achieving that desired tender texture.
Always taste the apple filling before adding the cornstarch. Apples vary greatly in their natural sweetness and tartness depending on the variety and ripeness. To ensure your apple filling reaches its peak flavor, always taste it before incorporating the cornstarch. This is your chance to adjust the sugar, lemon juice, or spices to perfectly match your preferred flavor profile. A perfectly balanced filling is crucial for a memorable cobbler.
Allow the filling to bubble for at least a full minute in the oven. Since the apple filling isn’t pre-cooked on the stovetop, it needs adequate time in the oven to cook the apples, release their delicious juices, and for the cornstarch to fully activate as a thickening agent. It’s not enough to just see a few bubbles; you want to see a consistent, robust bubbling throughout the entire apple filling. Once you observe this, set a timer for at least one more minute to ensure complete thickening and proper cooking. This step guarantees a wonderfully saucy, not watery, apple filling.
Use a mix of apples for complex flavor and texture. While any good baking apple works, combining different varieties like Granny Smith (for tartness and structure), Honeycrisp (for sweetness and crispness), and Gala (for a balanced flavor) will create a more complex and satisfying filling. This mix ensures a delightful interplay of sweet and tart notes, as well as varying textures within the baked cobbler.
Chill your heavy cream. For the lightest, fluffiest biscuit topping, ensure your heavy cream is very cold. Cold fat particles create steam as they bake, which contributes to a higher rise and a more tender crumb.

Ingredients for Your Delicious Apple Cobbler

Creating this irresistible apple cobbler requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients, divided into two main components: the flavorful apple filling and the tender biscuit topping. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each ingredient is essential:

Ingredients for apple cobbler, including apples, sugars, spices, flour, and butter, neatly arranged on a marble surface.

Apples: The foundation of our cobbler! It’s crucial to select crisp baking apples that maintain their structure and don’t turn to mush when cooked. Excellent choices include Granny Smith (for tartness), Honeycrisp (for sweetness and texture), Gala, Braeburn, Macoun, Cortland, or Pink Lady apples. A mix of varieties often yields the most complex and balanced flavor profile.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it prevents the sliced apples from browning due to oxidation. More importantly, it adds a crucial touch of tartness that balances the sweetness of the sugars, preventing the filling from being overly cloying and brightening the overall apple flavor.
Light Brown Sugar: Contributes a delightful, mellow caramel flavor and moistness to both the apple filling and the biscuit topping, enhancing the cozy, warm spice notes.
Granulated Sugar: Beyond adding sweetness, granulated sugar plays a vital role in the filling’s texture. It helps draw out moisture from the apples, which combines with the cornstarch to create a thick, glossy sauce. In the biscuit topping, it aids in caramelization, contributing to that desirable golden, crispy outside, much like in my strawberry rhubarb crumble.
Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential spice for apple desserts, ground cinnamon infuses the filling with its signature warm and comforting aroma and taste. For a richer, more complex spice blend, you could substitute it with a smaller amount of homemade apple pie spice, aromatic speculoos spice, or a festive pumpkin spice mix, depending on your preference.
Cornstarch: This is the essential thickening agent for the apple filling. Cornstarch creates a luscious, glossy sauce that coats the apples beautifully, ensuring your cobbler isn’t watery. Tapioca flour is a suitable alternative if you prefer.
Unsalted Butter: Butter enriches the apple filling with its creamy flavor and helps to tenderize the biscuit dough by shortening the gluten strands, resulting in a wonderfully soft and tender biscuit. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content of the dish.
All-purpose Flour: The structural base for our tender drop biscuit topping. Ensure you measure it correctly by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off.
Baking Powder & Soda: These leavening agents are crucial for a light and airy biscuit topping. Baking powder provides the initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic components (like buttermilk, if used, or the slight acidity from brown sugar) to give the biscuit an even, beautiful rise and a tender crumb.
Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt is vital in both the filling and the topping to enhance all the other flavors, balancing sweetness and bringing out the best in the apples and spices.
Heavy Cream: This ingredient is key to a moist, rich, and tender biscuit topping. Heavy cream provides enough liquid to bring the dough together, and its high fat content adds exceptional flavor and a soft texture. For a slight tang and even more tender crumb, you could substitute with whole milk or buttermilk.

Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for the precise measurements and quantities of all ingredients.

Exciting Variations for Your Apple Cobbler

While this classic apple cobbler recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as a fantastic canvas for creative variations. Feel free to experiment and customize it to your taste:

Change the topping. The biscuit topping is wonderful, but you can easily swap it for other delicious options. Consider topping this cobbler with the light and airy shortcake from my blueberry cobbler for a different texture. Alternatively, use the satisfyingly crunchy oat streusel topping from my easy apple crisp for a more rustic feel. For an apple crumble version, utilize the cinnamon-spiced crumble topping from my berry crumble recipe. Each topping offers a unique texture and flavor profile to complement the apple filling.
Hot infuse the apple filling for deeper flavor. For an extra layer of aromatic complexity, consider pre-cooking or hot infusing your apple filling. Gently simmer the sliced apples with whole spices like vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, whole nutmeg, star anise, cardamom pods, or cloves in a small amount of liquid (like apple cider or a splash of water) until just tender but still firm. Be sure to remove all the infusing whole spices before assembling the cobbler. Remember, the apples will cook further in the oven, so ensure they still have a slight crunch when pre-cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft. This technique imparts a richer, more nuanced spice flavor throughout the apples.
Serve as Individual Cobblers. Mini cobblers are an absolutely charming and convenient option, perfect for elegant dinner parties, holiday buffets, or simply for portion control. To make them, chop the apples into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Then, scoop the spiced apple filling into individual ramekins or small oven-safe baking dishes. Top each with a generous dollop of the drop biscuit dough. Individual cobblers will bake faster than a large one, so keep a close eye on them and ensure the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown. If you’re exploring small desserts, you might also love an individual strawberry shortcake.
Mix in more fruit for exciting combos. Apples pair wonderfully with many other fruits, opening up a world of flavor possibilities. An apple cranberry cobbler, for instance, sounds absolutely delightful, especially with a hint of fresh ginger and a little bit of ground clove added to the spices for a warm and zesty dessert perfect for the holiday season. You could also try apple and pear, apple and blackberry, or apple and cherry variations, adjusting the sugar and spices as needed to complement the added fruit.
Add a rich caramel swirl. For a decadent caramel apple cobbler, drizzle a generous amount of homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce over the apple filling just before adding the biscuit topping. The caramel will melt into the apples during baking, creating an incredibly rich and gooey treat.

How to Make an Apple Cobbler: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these detailed instructions to create your incredibly easy and delicious apple cobbler. For precise measurements and further details, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.

Apple Filling:

Preparing the apple filling is straightforward and sets the stage for a truly flavorful dessert.

Step 1: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) using the conventional setting (no fan). This ensures even baking and a perfectly cooked cobbler.

Step 2: Prepare your apples. First, peel all the apples. Then, slice each apple in half, and then in half again, creating quarters. Carefully remove the core and stem from both sides of each quarter using your knife on a diagonal. This technique ensures minimal waste and perfectly cored apples. Repeat this process for all your apples. Finally, slice each apple quarter into uniform 1/8 to ¼ inch thick slices across. Consistency in slice thickness is important for even cooking. For a visual guide, you can watch my apple pie video which demonstrates this slicing method.

Pro Tip for Best Flavor: Aim to use at least three different varieties of apples. Each apple type boasts its own unique flavor profile and texture, which will contribute to a more complex, well-rounded, and utterly delicious apple cobbler filling.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared sliced apples with the freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Toss everything gently until the apples are thoroughly coated with the sweet and spiced mixture. At this stage, it’s highly recommended to taste a piece of apple and adjust the seasoning (more sugar for sweetness, more lemon for tartness, or extra cinnamon for spice) to match your preferred flavor profile.

Step 4: Once you are completely satisfied with the flavor of your apple mixture, stir in the cornstarch. Ensure the cornstarch is evenly distributed throughout the filling, as it is the key to creating a perfectly thickened, luscious sauce during baking.

Apple slices mixed with spices and sugar, ready for the cobbler filling.

Cornstarch being added to the apple cobbler filling for thickening.

Biscuit Topping:

This easy drop biscuit topping comes together quickly and requires no special techniques.

Step 5: In a separate medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients for the biscuit topping: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine these ingredients. Whisking not only breaks up any sugar clumps but, more importantly, ensures that the leavening agents (baking powder and soda) are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture, which is crucial for an even rise in your biscuits.

Step 6: Pour the melted unsalted butter into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a fork, gently mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The melted butter coats the flour, creating pockets that will yield a tender biscuit.

Step 7: Next, pour the cold heavy cream into the dry ingredient mixture. Mix with a fork or switch to a silicone spatula for this step. Mix just until the ingredients are mostly combined and a few lumps still remain. It’s incredibly important not to over-mix at this stage; overworking the dough will develop the gluten too much, resulting in a tough biscuit. A lightly mixed dough, even with some lumps, will produce a much more tender and flaky topping.

Mixer Option: While I prefer mixing by hand for biscuits to avoid overmixing, the biscuit topping dough can also be made using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. If using a mixer, be extra cautious not to overmix the dough. I always find it best to finish incorporating the liquids and dry ingredients by hand to ensure the perfect consistency and avoid toughness.

Dry ingredients for apple cobbler biscuit topping in a mixing bowl, ready for wet ingredients.

Melted butter being added to the dry biscuit ingredients for apple cobbler.

Heavy cream being poured into the apple cobbler biscuit topping mixture.

Assemble and Bake:

Now, let’s bring it all together for baking.

Step 8: Prepare your baking dish. You’ll need a standard 9×13-inch baking dish for this recipe. Pour the deliciously spiced apple mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish. Next, dot the small pieces of butter over the surface of the apples. These butter pieces will melt into the filling, adding extra richness and a luscious texture.

Step 9: Generously dollop spoonfuls of the biscuit topping around the surface of the apples. You don’t need to be precise or neat; the beauty of a cobbler is its rustic, “cobblestone-like” appearance. Gently spread the dollops out slightly to cover most of the apples, but don’t worry about perfect coverage. It will bake beautifully and expand to create a stunning, golden crust.

Step 10: Place the assembled cobbler into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. The cobbler is done when the apple filling is visibly bubbling throughout (remember the “at least a minute” rule!) and the biscuit topping has turned a beautiful golden brown color. The bubbling ensures the cornstarch has fully activated and the apples are tender. The golden topping indicates perfect crispness.

Apple cobbler filling dotted with small pieces of butter before the biscuit topping is added.

Unbaked apple cobbler, showing uncooked apple filling and biscuit topping in a baking dish.

Fully baked apple cobbler, showcasing a golden brown biscuit topping and bubbly filling.

Step 11: Once baked to golden perfection, allow the apple cobbler to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. This brief resting period allows the filling to set further and makes it easier to serve. It is utterly delicious served warm, with the apples still gently steaming, or it can be enjoyed at room temperature. For an truly indulgent experience, it is just lovely served warm with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, allowing the cold ice cream to melt into the warm, spiced apples and tender biscuit.

Chef Lindsey’s Expert Recipe Tip

For the absolute best biscuit topping that’s incredibly tender and flaky, remember to chill all your ingredients beforehand, with the exception of the melted butter. Cold ingredients — specifically cold flour, sugars, and especially cold heavy cream — help to prevent too much gluten from developing during the mixing process. This minimal gluten development results in a lighter, more delicate biscuit that practically melts in your mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cobbler

Got questions about making, storing, or serving your apple cobbler? We’ve got answers to common inquiries to help you master this delicious dessert.

How do I store my apple cobbler?

Proper storage is key to enjoying your apple cobbler for days to come. Once your baked cobbler has cooled completely to room temperature, you can store it wrapped well with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply place the cobbler (covered with aluminum foil to prevent the topping from over-browning) in a warm oven preheated to 325°F (160°C) until it is heated through and bubbling again. This typically takes about 20-30 minutes for refrigerated cobbler, longer if frozen.

What is the difference between a cobbler and a crisp?

While both cobblers and crisps are delicious fruit desserts, they are distinguished by their toppings. A cobbler typically features a fruit filling topped with biscuits, shortbread, cake batter, or sometimes even cookie dough. The topping is usually spooned or dropped over the fruit, creating a textured, often uneven, “cobblestone-like” appearance, hence the name. Cobblers generally have a softer, more substantial topping and can feel a bit heavier than a crisp. A crisp, on the other hand, is characterized by a crumbly streusel topping made from a mixture of flour, sugar, butter, and often oats. The oats provide a distinct crisp texture when baked, making it lighter and, as the name suggests, “crispier.”

Do I need to peel my apples for apple cobbler?

While technically not absolutely necessary, I would strongly suggest peeling your apples for the cobbler. Apple skins tend to become chewy and tough when baked, and they don’t soften as nicely as the apple flesh. They can also sometimes char or burn on top during the baking process, affecting the overall taste and visual appeal. Peeling ensures a uniformly tender apple filling with a smooth, pleasant texture that enhances the eating experience.

What to serve with my apple cobbler?

Apple cobbler is a versatile dessert that pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. You can always stick with the timeless classic route: a generous scoop of rich vanilla ice cream, allowing its cold creaminess to melt into the warm, spiced apples. Alternatively, a dollop of lightly sweetened homemade whipped cream adds a delicate touch. For a more sophisticated twist, try a decadent drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce, a silky vanilla bean crème anglaise, or even a scoop of specialized ice cream like cherry caramel ice cream. For added texture and flavor, consider garnishing with spiced whipped cream and a sprinkle of candied nuts (like pecans or walnuts). The possibilities are endless, each promising a delightful culinary experience!

Baked apple cobbler with a perfectly golden brown biscuit topping, ready to be served.

If you tried this fantastic apple cobbler recipe and absolutely loved it, please take a moment to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! Your feedback truly makes my day and helps other home bakers discover this delicious treat!

A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on warm apple cobbler, ready to be enjoyed.

5 from 1 ratings

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

by

Chef Lindsey

Look no further for the best apple cobbler recipe! A warmly spiced and perfectly sweet apple filling topped with an easy, quick, and tender drop biscuit topping.

Prep:

20
minutes

Cook:

40
minutes

Total:

1
hour

Servings:

10
people

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Ingredients

Filling:

▢

8

apples

approximately 1375g after cutting, mix of fuji, granny smith, honey crisp, etc
▢

2

lemons

juiced (1/4 cup)
▢

¼
teaspoon

salt
▢

¼
cup

light brown sugar
▢

¼
cup

granulated sugar
▢

1
teaspoon

ground cinnamon
▢

2
tablespoons

cornstarch
▢

1
tablespoon

butter

cut into small pieces

Biscuits:

▢

1
cups

all-purpose flour
▢

2
tablespoons

granulated sugar
▢

2
tablespoons

light brown sugar

packed
▢

1
teaspoon

baking powder
▢

¼
teaspoon

baking soda
▢

¼
teaspoon

kosher salt
▢

4
tablespoons

unsalted butter

melted
▢

½
cup

heavy cream