Apple Cobbler
A comforting dessert made with tender apples, spiced filling, and a buttery golden topping, perfect for a cozy treat.
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 5 pounds apples (peeled, about 9-11 large apples; use a variety of flavors)
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 small lemon)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 small lemon)
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
- 0.75 teaspoon nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon cardamom (optional)
- 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cobbler Topping
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 cup buttermilk (cheater version okay)
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup cold butter (chopped into chunks)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (granulated or raw sugar or both)
- [to taste] vanilla ice cream (for serving, not optional)
Instructions
Make the Apple Filling
- Select your apples—a mix of varieties like Granny Smith, Gala, or Golden Delicious provides an incredible depth of flavor.
- Zest half a teaspoon of lemon peel into a high-sided skillet.
- Squeeze the juice of the lemon into the pan—about 3 tablespoons should do just fine.
- Peel and slice the apples thinly. Toss the apple slices with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
Cook the Apples (Optional)
- If you choose to cook them, set the pan over medium heat.
- Sprinkle the sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt over the apples and stir gently to combine.
- Cover the skillet and let it cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in Vanilla
- After the apples are cooked, stir in the vanilla extract.
Prepare the Topping
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients until it resembles a shaggy dough.
Combine and Bake
- Pour the apple mixture into a baking dish and spoon the flour mixture over the apples evenly.
- Scatter the cold butter pieces over the topping and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
Cool and Serve
- Let the cobbler cool for about 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Feel free to mix and match different types of apples and spices for your own version of this cobbler.