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