This apple cobbler is an old fashioned dessert made with an apple filling that is topped with sweet buttermilk biscuits. A quick and easy treat that’s perfect to make when apples are in season!
When my apple tree is full of apples in the fall months, I use them up by making apple pork chops, apple pie filling, or this delicious and decadent cobbler recipe.
There are so many great desserts to make with apples, and I have to say, this apple cobbler is one of my favorites. It’s a lot less work than a pie, and I love the combination of the sweet, juicy apples with the fluffy biscuit topping.
How do you make apple cobbler?
First, make the apple filling by tossing cubed apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon juice and water. Place the apple mixture in a baking pan and it is ready for the topping. Make the topping by stirring together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Add small cubes of butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry blender or two forks to cut the butter into the mixture. Pour in buttermilk and vanilla extract, and stir it all together to make the topping.
Place spoonfuls of biscuit topping onto the apples and and sprinkle coarse sugar on top. Bake the cobbler until the topping is brown and the apples are tender. The cobbler is ready to serve with ice cream, whipped cream or your other favorite toppings.
Tips for apple cobbler
- Make sure your apples are cut into similar sized pieces so that they cook evenly.
- Use coarse sparkling sugar for the topping – it won’t melt like regular granulated sugar and it has that beautiful crystalline appearance. You can find this sugar in the baking aisle with the bottles of sprinkles.
- Apple cobbler can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Since this cobbler is best served warm, you will want to reheat it. You can warm this cobbler in the oven at 325 degrees F for about 25 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions of cobbler for approximately 30 seconds until warmed through.
What is the difference between a cobbler and a crisp?
The difference between an apple cobbler and a crisp is the topping. While both desserts have a tasty apple filling, a cobbler has sweet biscuits on top while a crisp has a loose mixture of sugar, flour, oats and nuts. A cobbler is a is a softer, richer dessert, while a crisp has a hearty almost crunchy texture.
What apples are best for cobbler?
Firm and tart apples are best for a cobbler. They pair well with the sweet and soft biscuit topping. The most commonly used apples are Granny Smith apples. You can also use Cripps Pink (Pink Lady), Braeburn or Cameo apples. For a sweeter dish, try Golden Delicious apples.
Apple cobbler variations
Apples pair well with other fruit to make fantastic cobblers. To change up traditional apple cobbler, try these variations.
- Apple Berry Cobbler: For the filling, mix together 6 cups of diced apples and 4 cups of berries such as raspberries, blueberries or blackberries.
- Apple Pear Cobbler: Use 7 cups of diced apples with 3 cups of diced and peeled pears to make the cobbler filling.
- Apple Peach Cobbler: To make the filling stir together 5 cups of diced apples with 5 cups of diced peaches.
This recipe combines a saucy apple filling with sweet and fluffy biscuits. You can’t go wrong with this classic and satisfying dessert.
More delicious apple recipes
Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
For the apple filling
- 10 cups apples peeled, cored and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons water
For the cobbler topping
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter cold, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
- cooking spray
- vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce for serving optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9' x 13' pan with cooking spray.
- For the filling: Place the apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon juice and water in a large bowl. Toss to coat.
- Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pan in an even layer.
- For the topping: Place the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a bowl. Stir to combine. Add the butter to the bowl and use a pastry blender or two forks to cut the butter into the flour mixture until the batter looks like small coarse pebbles.
- Pour the buttermilk and vanilla extract into the flour mixture. Stir to make a batter.
- Place spoonfuls of the batter mixture over the apples. Top with the coarse sugar.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown and apples are tender. If the biscuits look like they're browning too quickly, you can cover the dish with a piece of foil.
- Let cool for at least 20 minutes, then serve, with ice cream and caramel sauce if desired.
Kay says
So much better than an apple pie and much easier to make. Thanks for this great tecipe.
Donna says
Can you use buttermilk canned biscuits instead of homemade and just added the sugar on top.
Sara says
I haven’t tried it but I believe it could work.
Deb says
My husbands favorite and most requested dessert!
Laura Reese says
I love cobbler. Can’t wait to try this.
Vik says
Recipes like this are why I look forward to apple season every year. This cobbler sounds absolutely delicious, definitely making it!
Sandra says
This is really a must-make! It looks fantastic!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
Oh my, this is the perfect fall dessert!! It looks incredible!!
Stephanie says
Apple cobbler is the best! I can’t wait to make it again!
Katie says
Can see this being a hit in my house! Can’t wait to try it!
Kristyn says
Yummy!! Love apple cobbler! Love the golden color on top & how juicy it looks in the middle!
Jennifer says
This looks AMAZING! Need to try ASAP.
Taylor says
Absolutely love the buttermilk biscuits on top. SO delicious!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This couldn’t look any more perfect!
Malissa says
This is the perfect dessert for serving at holiday gatherings. Easy, no-fuss and SO delicious!
Dorothy Reinhold says
Fall means apples at my house, and that makes me a happy girl! This is going on the must make list.
Beth Pierce says
This was such an amazing dessert! Easily has become a new family favorite recipe in our home! Looking forward to enjoying this again and again, all season long!