Name: Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 4 apples (peeled and sliced); ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 lemon (squeezed); 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder; ½ teaspoon nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon cloves; ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted); ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup buttermilk; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup milk; 2 tablespoons cinnamon or vanilla sugar (sugar mixed with vanilla beans, or cinnamon powder,); Ice cream

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Apple Cobbler is one of those desserts that hits all the right notes—simple to make, full of comforting flavors, and always a crowd-pleaser. With spiced apples baked to perfection under a buttery, golden topping, it’s the kind of recipe that feels homemade without all the fuss.

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I love this Apple Cobbler because it’s so easy to pull together, even on a busy day. The fact that you can make the filling ahead or freeze the whole dish makes it a lifesaver when you’re planning for a big dinner or holiday event. It’s simple enough for a weeknight treat but still feels special when you serve it to guests.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Ingredients for an Apple Cobbler spread across the table feature apples, flour, butter, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, salt, and buttermilk. — Apple Cobbler Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make Apple Cobbler with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

You’ll find making this Apple Cobbler easy if you follow my simple instructions.

Preheat and Prepare the Apples

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180ºC), and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add peeled and sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Butter melting in a pot; bowls of spices, sugar, and other ingredients for apple cobbler are arranged around it on a textured surface. — Melt the butter over medium heat.

Sliced apples in a pot topped with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, ready for cooking an irresistible Apple Cobbler. — Add peeled and sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

A pot brimming with sliced apples, destined for a delightful apple cobbler, is seasoned with cinnamon and sugar on a speckled countertop. — Give the mixture a stir and cook for 5 minutes.

Stir the mixture and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the apples begin to soften. Transfer the apple mixture to the baking dish.

Mix the Batter

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar. Gradually add the buttermilk and vanilla extract, whisking to combine.

A ceramic bowl contains cream, vanilla extract, and melted butter on a speckled countertop, ready to become a delicious apple cobbler. Nearby are small bowls with various ingredients waiting to be mixed into the perfect dessert. — Combine the melted butter, sugar, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.

A sieve is placed over a white mixing bowl, containing sifted flour for the apple cobbler. A small cup with liquid and a bowl with brown sugar are nearby on a speckled countertop. — Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl, stirring until smooth.

A mixing bowl contains a thick, creamy batter for apple cobbler with a spatula. A small cup with liquid and a bowl of dry ingredients sit nearby on the speckled countertop. — Slowly pour in the milk and mix until the batter has a slightly runny consistency.

Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl, stirring until smooth (small lumps are fine). Slowly pour in the milk, mixing until the batter has a slightly runny consistency.

Assemble the Cobbler

Pour the batter over the cooked apples in big chunks, leaving some of the apples exposed for texture.

Sprinkle cinnamon or vanilla sugar over the top. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the sugar into the batter for a marbled effect.

A hand sprinkles a crumbly topping over sliced apples in a baking dish, crafting the perfect apple cobbler. A small bowl with more topping sits nearby on a speckled surface, ready for any extra flourish. — Pour the batter over the cooked apples in big chunks and sprinkle cinnamon or vanilla sugar on top.

A delicious apple cobbler sits in an oval dish, its crumbly topping inviting you in. Beside it, a bowl of sugar and a cloth rest on the speckled surface, completing this cozy culinary scene. — Bake for 50 minutes.

Bake the Cobbler

Place the baking pan on the center oven rack and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 50 minutes. Check halfway through and cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly.

Your cobbler is ready when the topping is golden, and the apples are bubbling at the edges.

Serve warm with ice cream, and enjoy!

A warm apple cobbler rests invitingly in a white oval dish on a wooden board, flanked by a napkin, spoon, and a bowl of cinnamon sugar. — Serve with ice cream and enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

I’ve gathered these tips to help you make the best Apple Cobbler:

Best Apples: Stick to firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples hold their shape well and offer a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, ensuring your cobbler isn’t overly mushy.
Spice Balance: Adjust the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to your personal preference. A little goes a long way.
Batter Consistency: The batter should be slightly runny but not too thin. This consistency helps it spread evenly and bake into a tender, slightly crisp topping.
Swirling Technique: Swirling the topping with a knife creates a rustic look and blends flavors.
Golden Top: Cover the cobbler with foil halfway through baking if it browns too quickly.
Ice Cream Pairing: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert experience.
Make-Ahead Option: The apple filling can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before assembling the cobbler.

A bowl of warm apple cobbler topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, the epitome of comfort food, sits invitingly. In the background, a generous baking dish overflowing with more luscious apple cobbler rests on a textured surface. — Apple Cobbler. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Store Leftover Apple Cobbler

Apple Cobbler is a great make-ahead dessert, and leftovers can be stored easily for later enjoyment. To keep it fresh, transfer the cobbler to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If you’d like to freeze it, make sure the cobbler has completely cooled first. Place it in a freezer-safe container, and it will keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating is simple. For the best texture, warm the cobbler in a 350°F (180°C) oven for about 10–15 minutes. This helps restore the crispy topping and keeps the apples bubbly. If you’re in a hurry, you can reheat it in the microwave, but note that the topping may lose some of its crunch.

What to Serve With Apple Cobbler

Pair this warm dessert with vanilla or caramel ice cream for a classic combination. Whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a sprinkle of chopped nuts can take it to the next level.

A warm, baked apple cobbler topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream awaits in an oval dish, complete with a metal serving spoon tucked inside. — Apple Cobbler. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

More Easy Dessert Recipes for You to Try at Home

I’ve got plenty of delicious recipes that you’ll love making at home, take a look at these.

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

Apple Cobbler is the ultimate easy dessert, combining spiced apples and a golden topping for a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat. It’s quick to make and perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to holiday gatherings. You can even prep it ahead or freeze it, making it a go-to for busy schedules. Simple, versatile, and always delicious, this recipe is a keeper.

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 50

Total Time: 1 5

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Apple Cobbler

Servings:

Calories: 312kcal

Author: Mandy Applegate | Hungry Cooks Kitchen

Equipment

9×13 Baking Dish

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
4 apples peeled and sliced
¼ cup brown sugar
1 lemon squeezed
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ cup unsalted butter melted
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk

For the Topping:

2 tablespoons cinnamon or vanilla sugar sugar mixed with vanilla beans, or cinnamon powder,
Ice cream

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the peeled and sliced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir everything together and cook for about 5 minutes, until the apples start to soften. Transfer the cooked apples to the prepared baking pan.
4 apples, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon cloves, 2 tablespoons butter
In a mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until combined. Add the buttermilk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until the batter is mostly smooth, (small lumps are fine). Gradually add the milk, mixing until the batter is slightly runny.
¼ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup milk, ½ cup granulated sugar
Pour the batter over the apples in large dollops, leaving some apples exposed for texture. Sprinkle cinnamon or vanilla sugar over the top and gently swirl with a butter knife for a marbled effect.
2 tablespoons cinnamon or vanilla sugar
Bake on the center oven rack for 50 minutes, checking halfway through. Cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly. The cobbler is done when the topping is golden, and the apples are bubbling around the edges. Serve warm with ice cream.
Ice cream

Notes

Best Apples: Stick to firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples hold their shape well and offer a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, ensuring your cobbler isn’t overly mushy.
Spice Balance: Adjust the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to your personal preference. A little goes a long way.
Batter Consistency: The batter should be slightly runny but not too thin. This consistency helps it spread evenly and bake into a tender, slightly crisp topping.
Swirling Technique: Swirling the topping with a knife creates a rustic look and blends flavors.
Golden Top: Cover the cobbler with foil halfway through baking if it browns too quickly.
Ice Cream Pairing: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert experience.
Make-Ahead Option: The apple filling can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before assembling the cobbler.

Nutrition

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About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need