Cinnamon Apple Cobbler
Topped with a golden brown crust and filled with spiced apples, this Cinnamon Apple Cobbler is the perfect dessert for a chilly fall evening!
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It’s that time of the year. The nights have turned chilly. The leaves are turning into a beautiful array of reds, oranges and yellows. The sweaters and hoodies have been pulled out of the closet. And the apple trees are loaded with delicious fruit. It’s Autumn!
One of my all-time favorite fall desserts has to be the classic apple cobbler. Sure, apple cakes, apple pie and roasted pears all make the list…but there is just something about a rustic apple cobbler recipe. It’s impossible to take just one bite!
What is a cobbler?
A cobbler is an easy dessert made by filling a large dish with a fruit filling and then topping it with biscuit or dumpling batter. As the cobbler bakes, the batter on top turns golden brown and soaks up some of the juices from the fruit below. Cobblers are often topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and the result is absolutely fantastic.
An apple crisp or apple crumble is very similar to an apple cobbler. The main difference is that crisps and crumbles usually (but not always) include oats as part of the batter. For me, a crisp vs. a cobbler vs. a crumble is like a Pepsi vs. a Coke. Sure, they are different, but they are close enough that I’m not going to lose much sleep thinking about the differences.
Cinnamon Apple Cobbler
This Cinnamon Apple Cobbler is absolutely delicious. I might have gone straight into the corner of this cobbler with a fork once these photos were taken. There. I said it. I ate a bite (or four) of this cobbler straight from the dish…and I have no regrets at all!
Like most cobblers, this Cinnamon Apple Cobbler starts with a casserole dish filled with apples. However, what makes this version different is that the apples get cooked for a bit in a saucepan before going into the cobbler.
By giving the apples a head start, they end up being the perfect texture once the cobbler is all done. And while those diced apples are in the saucepan, they get tossed with a cinnamon spice mixture that is mighty tasty.
The biscuit topping for this Cinnamon Apple Cobbler is a classic version that calls for flour, sugar, milk and a tiny bit of baking powder. Oh and there’s a generously sprinkling of coarse sugar that goes on top of the batter before it gets baked. The result is a golden brown crust with a crunchy sugar topping. Add in the cinnamon apple flavor, and you’ve got all of the fall feelings going on in your kitchen!
Shortcut Version
If you’re in a pinch for time, an easy apple cobbler recipe calls for yellow cake mix in place of the batter on top. Just sprinkle ½-⅔ of a box of yellow cake mix on top of the apple filling. Top that cake mix with pats of butter (just like you do for the from-scratch version) and add the coarse sugar on top. The cake-like topping will be fantastic! (And technically you can skip pre-cooking the apples in the cinnamon sauce, but I still highly recommend this step if you have time.)
If you’re in the mood for a classic Autumn dessert, this Cinnamon Apple Cobbler from scratch is one of our favorites! It tastes especially good if you happen to pick the apples from a local apple orchard, too. Happy baking!
Did you make this Cinnamon Apple Cobbler recipe at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me (@Spicedblog) on Instagram – I’d love to see your version!
Cinnamon Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
- 8 large apples peeled, cored and diced into ¼” cubes, I used 4 Granny Smith apples and 4 Gala apples
For the Topping
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup unsalted butter cut into ½” pieces
- 2 Tbsp coarse sugar such as demerara or sparkling sugar
- vanilla ice cream for serving
- ground cinnamon for sprinkling on top
Instructions
For the Filling
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Spray a 9”x13” baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set pan aside.
- Using a large saucepan, add all of the filling ingredients except for the apples; stir until well combined.
- Add apples; stir until apples are well coated.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8-9 minutes. Transfer apple mixture into prepared pan.
For the Topping
- Using a large bowl, add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; stir until well combined.
- Using a small bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
- Pour liquid mixture into bowl with dry ingredients; stir until well combined. (Note: The dough will be shaggy. It’s ok if you still see bits of dry flour.) Spread topping mixture evenly on top of apples.
- Lay the sliced pats of butter evenly on top and then sprinkle coarse sugar evenly over top of cobbler.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until top of cobbler is light golden brown. (Tip: Put a flat baking pan on the rack under the casserole dish in case any of the apple filling bubbles over.)
- Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Looking for more apple dessert recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Cant wait to make this soon for me i never had cinnamon apple cobbler before perfect for my after office snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Oh my gosh – you’ve never had apple cobbler before!? You absolutely need to make this recipe as soon as possible, Ramya!!
Yes! I’m so ready to make fall about apples instead of pumpkins!
Haha – I’m all about both the pumpkins AND apples, Jeff. I can’t discriminate when it comes to delicious. And this cobbler? Delicious!
I make so many apple crisps in the fall … I’m going to switch one of them up this cobbler!
Do it…today…and tomorrow… 🙂
The homemade version sounds delicious!
Oh its so good, Barb – I can’t recommend this recipe enough!! 🙂
A great idea to cook the apples up a bit first david. THis looks so tasty – all that lovely spice … We are heading into a hot summer here so might have to wait to try this one tho i bet it’s delicious any time of year.
Yes! It’s always a little funny since we’re 6 months apart on weather…but do save this one for those nights when it starts to turn a little chilly. It’s fantastic!!
I do love this time of year when it’s all about lots of comfort foods especially apples. I’m a big fan of apple pies and apple crumbles here in the UK. Gonna definitely have to try your cinnomon apple cobbler David. It looks absolutely delicious!
Oh you should absolutely try this cobbler, Neil – it’s one of my favorite fall desserts!!
Love the combination of apples an cinnamon at this time of year! So comforting and cozy!
I agree! Cinnamon and apples were just made to go together, right?? Thanks, Michelle!
This looks so good, David! What a great way to kick off autumn, my favorite season! And I love how easy cobblers are to make. Perfect for non-bakers like me.
This cobbler couldn’t be any easier – well, unless you just bought it from a store. Hah! But seriously…homemade is always better. I say put Apple Cobbler on the dessert menu this week. Thanks, Frank!!
Apple and cinnamon are the ultimate Fall flavors. I love your scratch made cobbler… the spices are just right and the fresh biscuit top is absolutely perfect.
It’s hard to beat a homemade cobbler – it’s rustic and cozy in the best way possible! Thanks, Heidi!
Fall has officially started, so I’m know craving all the apple recipes – especially those that are cozy and warming. This cobbler 100% fits the bill, and it is undoubtedly delicious!
Oh this is one of my all-time favorite fall desserts, Ben – definitely give this one a try soon!!
Your post perfectly captures the essence of fall, the chilly nights, vibrant leaves, and the excitement of fresh apples. It really sets the stage for indulging in a comforting dessert like this cobbler, Yum!
Thanks, Raymund! I do love this time of the year when the nights are chilly but the days aren’t cold. And of course the arrival of apple season just makes it even better!
I can’t wait to try your version of apple cobbler, it sounds terrific.