Name: Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 large lemon, juiced; 3 tbsp flour; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (219 g); ⅓ cup white sugar (67 g); 1 ¼ tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp cinnamon; ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and diced small; ⅔ cup buttermilk

Jump to Recipe

There is nothing quite like the comforting warmth of a classic dessert fresh from the oven, and this Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe delivers exactly that cozy goodness with every bite. Juicy Honeycrisp apples, spiced just right with cinnamon and balanced by a tender, buttery biscuit topping, come together in an easy-to-make dish perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re craving a nostalgic family favorite or looking to impress guests with homemade charm, this cobbler is a golden ticket to apple dessert heaven.

Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, approachable ingredients is the secret to making this Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe truly shine. Each item plays an essential role, from the crisp, sweet apples that form the heart of the dish to the rich, crumbly butter that makes the topping divine. These pantry staples come together effortlessly to create a dessert bursting with flavor and texture.

5 Honeycrisp apples: Peeled, cored, and cut into wedges, they provide ideal sweetness and juiciness for the filling.
½ cup brown sugar: Adds deep caramel notes that perfectly complement the apples.
1 large lemon (juiced): Brightens the filling with a touch of acidity, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
3 tbsp flour: Helps thicken the apple filling for a luscious texture.
1 tbsp cornstarch: Extra thickening power to keep the filling delightfully jammy.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Infuses the filling with warm spice, a must for any apple dessert.
¼ tsp kosher salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors.
1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (219 g): The base for the biscuit topping, creating structure and tenderness.
⅓ cup white sugar (67 g): Adds subtle sweetness to the biscuit layer.
1 ¼ tsp baking powder: Leavens the biscuit topping, making it delightfully fluffy.
¼ tsp baking soda: Ensures a perfect rise and light crumb.
½ tsp kosher salt: Balances flavors in the topping.
½ tsp cinnamon: Adds an aromatic hint to the biscuit, tying it to the filling.
½ cup unsalted butter (cold, diced small): Creates a rich, tender, flaky topping when cut into the flour.
⅔ cup buttermilk: Brings moisture and a slight tang that enhances the biscuit’s flavor and texture.

How to Make Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and giving your 8×8 baking dish a good spray with baking spray. This prevents sticking and ensures your cobbler slides out easily once baked. Getting the oven ready means you’ll bake your cobbler at the perfect temperature for that golden crust and bubbling filling.

Step 2: Mix the Apple Filling

In a large bowl, mix the peeled and sliced Honeycrisp apples with the brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Using your hands to gently combine everything ensures each apple wedge is coated evenly, locking in flavor and helping thicken the filling as it bakes into a tender, jammy goodness.

Step 3: Transfer Apples to the Baking Dish

Pour the lovely apple mixture right into your prepared dish. This juicy bed of fruit will bake into a warm, aromatic filling that’s bursting with sweet and spiced flavor.

Step 4: Prepare the Biscuit Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This dry mixture forms the foundation for your biscuit topping. Every ingredient here contributes to the fluffiness, flavor, and golden color you’ll see on top.

Step 5: Cut the Butter Into the Dry Ingredients

Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, incorporate the cold, diced butter into the flour mixture. Pinch the butter into small pea-sized clumps. These pockets of butter melt during baking, creating a wonderfully flaky and tender crumb that contrasts beautifully with the soft apple filling.

Step 6: Add Buttermilk and Form the Batter

Pour the buttermilk into the flour and butter mixture and stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until it forms a thick, spreadable batter. The buttermilk adds moisture as well as a subtle tang that lifts the flavors in the biscuit topping.

Step 7: Spread the Topping Over Apples

Dollop the biscuit batter over the apple filling in your baking dish. Wetting your hands can help spread the batter evenly without it sticking, creating a rustic, uneven layer that will rise into a golden, inviting crust.

Step 8: Bake Until Golden and Bubbling

Slide your cobbler into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the topping is beautifully golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling through those biscuit cracks. Serve this Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe warm, inviting, and ready to comfort your soul.

How to Serve Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe

Garnishes

Nothing elevates freshly baked apple cobbler like a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a bit of color and crunch, a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of powdered sugar adds a lovely finishing touch that makes your cobbler feel extra special.

Side Dishes

This cobbler is fantastic all on its own but pairs beautifully with a strong cup of coffee or a warm mug of chai tea to balance the sweetness. If you’d like to serve it for a more substantial dessert, consider a light cheese plate or some spiced nuts on the side for variety and texture contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming presentation, serve your Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe in individual ramekins or mason jars—perfect for parties or gift-giving. You can also add a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top before baking for an extra hint of indulgence and visual appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, cover your cobbler tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days, making it great for enjoying delicious leftovers or prepping dessert in advance.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cobbler for up to 2 months in an airtight container. To freeze before baking, assemble the cobbler in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Reheating

Reheat portions in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes until warm and gooey or pop leftovers in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes to revive the biscuit topping’s crispiness. Either way, your Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe will taste just as inviting as the moment it came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use other types of apples for this recipe?

Absolutely! While Honeycrisp apples are perfect for their sweet-tart balance and texture, you can substitute Granny Smith for tartness or Fuji for extra sweetness. Just be mindful that different apples can affect the filling’s sweetness and texture slightly.

What if I don’t have buttermilk on hand?

No worries! You can easily make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ⅔ cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before adding it to the batter for the same tender results.

How do I know when the cobbler is fully baked?

Your cobbler is done when the biscuit topping is a nice golden brown color and the apple filling is bubbling around the edges. Using a toothpick to check the biscuit topping can also help—it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend, you can enjoy this cobbler gluten-free. Just make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well to get the right texture in the topping.

What’s the best way to serve leftovers?

Leftover cobbler tastes wonderful slightly warmed with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of cream. You can also use it as a topping for pancakes or waffles for a decadent breakfast twist.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe enough—it’s truly a heartfelt, soul-warming dessert that’s easy to put together and always delightfully satisfying. Whether it’s a chilly night in or a special gathering, this cobbler brings sweet comfort and smiles with every bite. Give it a try, and I promise it will become one of your go-to favorites for years to come!

Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 8 reviews

Author: Ethan
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Fresh-Baked Apple Cobbler features tender Honeycrisp apples baked under a buttery, cinnamon-spiced biscuit topping. It’s a comforting and delicious dessert perfect for any season, combining tart and sweet flavors with a delightful crumbly texture.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350° F and spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with baking spray to prevent sticking.
Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the peeled and sliced apples with brown sugar, lemon juice, flour, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly with your hands to ensure the apples are evenly coated and the mixture thickens.
Assemble Filling: Pour the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread out evenly.
Mix Dry Ingredients for Topping: In a medium bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and cinnamon to create the dry base for the biscuit topping.
Cut in Butter: Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to incorporate the cold, diced butter into the dry ingredients. Pinch the mixture until small pea-sized clumps form, creating a crumbly texture.
Add Buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into the butter-flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a thick batter forms.
Top the Apples: Using wet hands, dollop and gently spread the biscuit batter evenly over the apple filling to cover as much as possible.
Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling. Serve warm for best flavor.

Notes

Honeycrisp apples work beautifully for sweetness and texture, but you can substitute with Granny Smith or Fuji apples.
Using cold butter is key to achieving a flaky biscuit topping.
Wet your hands when spreading the batter to prevent sticking.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra special treat.
Ensure the cobbler cools slightly before serving to allow the filling to thicken.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American