Apple Cobbler Recipe – Easy, Cozy & Delicious Dessert

The house always smells better when apples are baking. One chilly fall afternoon, I made this apple cobbler with my little niece while the leaves danced outside the window. She stirred the batter, I sliced the apples, and we both waited—impatiently—for that bubbling, cinnamon-sweet magic to come out of the oven. This isn’t just a dessert. It’s a memory, baked warm and golden.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cobbler

This apple cobbler is soft, simple, and packed with real apple flavor. The topping bakes up like tender vanilla cake, lightly spiced with cinnamon. No crunchy oats or streusel here—this is a true cobbler, old-school and comforting.

It’s a go-to for Thanksgiving, but honestly? You don’t need a holiday. It fits into any evening that calls for something cozy and a little sweet.

Plus, you can make it ahead, store it, freeze it, and reheat it without losing that just-baked magic.

What You’ll Need

Tools:

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Saucepan
• Mixing bowls (2)
• Whisk or wooden spoon
• Peeler and knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cooking spray

Ingredients:

Apple Filling:

• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, or similar), peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick
• 1 cup water or apple juice
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Batter:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup milk
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• Ground cinnamon (for topping)

What’s the Difference Between Apple Cobbler and Apple Crisp?

If you’ve ever wondered why cobbler feels softer than crisp, here’s the scoop:

Apple cobbler has a cake-like batter that bakes up tender and golden over warm fruit.

Apple crisp uses a crumbly oat topping that turns crunchy in the oven.

Go for cobbler when you want a softer, spoonable dessert. Reach for crisp when you want something with a little crunch.

Best Apples for Cobbler

Granny Smith apples are the best for baking. Their tartness holds up beautifully against the sugar and spice.

You can also try:

• Honeycrisp for a juicier bite
• Gala or Golden Delicious for added sweetness

No matter what you choose, peel them. It keeps the texture soft and silky. Trust me—it’s worth the extra few minutes.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Apple Cobbler

1. Make the Apple Filling

Start by peeling and slicing your apples. Aim for ¼-inch thick slices so they cook evenly.

In a medium saucepan, whisk together:

• 1 cup water or apple juice
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Add the sliced apples. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring gently. The sauce should start to thicken slightly and coat the apples.

Pour the warm mixture into your greased 9×13 pan.

this …

2. Prepare the Batter

In a mixing bowl, stir together:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Then add:

• ¾ cup milk
• 5 tablespoons melted butter

Mix just until everything comes together. Don’t overdo it or your topping may get dense.

3. Assemble and Bake

Pour the batter gently over the apples. Don’t stir or mix it in—just spread it out as evenly as you can.

Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top.

Bake at 350°F for 38 to 40 minutes. The topping should be lightly golden and a toothpick should come out clean from the center.

4. Serve and Enjoy

Let your cobbler cool for about 15 minutes before serving. This helps the filling set.

Spoon it into bowls and serve warm. If you have vanilla ice cream nearby? Grab it. It’s a match made in dessert heaven.

You can also top it with a drizzle of homemade slow cooker apple butter for an extra apple boost.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

To make ahead:

• The apple filling can be made 3 days in advance. Store it in the fridge.
• You can also freeze the filling for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

To store:

• Cover and refrigerate the baked cobbler for up to 4 days.

To freeze:

• Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it in the oven before serving.

To reheat:

• Warm in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual portions until heated through.

Apple Cobbler FAQs

Old-Fashioned Apple Cobbler Recipe Card

Print

More Such Recipes

Love apple desserts? You’ll probably enjoy these too:

• Healthy small-batch apple crumble bars for quick snacking
• Easy apple pie oatmeal cookies with cozy fall flavors
• Cinnamon-spiced air fryer apples with maple glaze
• Homemade slow cooker apple butter for spreading or baking

Final Thoughts

This old-fashioned apple cobbler is more than just dessert. It’s a warm, shareable reminder of slow evenings, family dinners, and cozy kitchen moments.

It’s easy to make, hard to mess up, and always, always satisfying.

If you try it, leave a comment or share your photo on Pinterest or Facebook. I’d love to see how it turned out in your kitchen.