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Move over apple pie…this homemade apple cobbler with sugar biscuit topping is the new way to enjoy cinnamon sugar apples in a dessert.

One of my favorite desserts to make with fresh fruit is cobbler. Fruit crisps are delicious, but there is something about sweet biscuit topping over warm, sweet fruit that is comforting in a whole new way.

After having our peach cobbler this summer, I decided we needed to make a Homemade Apple Cobbler for the fall. This easy apple cobbler recipe is going to warm your home and give it an amazing aroma.

overhead view of plate of apple cobbler a la mode

Why you’ll love this recipe:

100% homemade biscuit topping with sugar crunch topping
Cinnamon apple pie filling cooked ahead of baking so apples are soft and tender
Makes just a small 8×8″ size cobbler
AMAZING with vanilla ice cream and drizzled caramel. If that sounds good to you, you may also love our apple pandowdy!

Difference Between Apple Crisp and Apple Cobbler

Apple crisp has a sugar, flour and oat topping on it. It’s baked and the topping ends up with a slight crunch. Apple cobbler is also baked, but it has a soft, biscuit-like cake on top.

Both have the cinnamon sugar apple pie filling baked underneath. And both are delicious served with vanilla ice cream. 😋

What kind of apples are best for baking?

Granny Smith apples are known for being one of the best apples to bake with. They are tart in flavor so they pair well with the sugar in recipes and they stay firmer after baking instead of turning to mush. If you can’t find Granny Smith, try Pink Lady, Gala apples, HoneyCrisp or Empire.

Two other tips about the apples:

If you’re worried about the apples being crunchy in this recipe, I get it. I like my apples to be baked soft also. That’s why with most of my apple recipes, I make the cinnamon sugar apple filling on the stovetop first, cooking the apples until they are tender. Then they finish baking in the oven. This is especially important if you use Granny Smith since they are a firmer apple.
Do you have to peel the apples? I highly recommend it. The apple peel can come loose in baking and make the apple dessert have an unusual texture. If you don’t have an apple peeler hand-crank machine, you’re going to want to get one. It makes apple desserts so much less of a hassle to make.

How to Make Apple Cobbler From Scratch

Place the apples in a medium saucepan and turn the heat to medium low. Add the sugar. Cook and stir until the apple mixture starts to soften. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and apple juice (or water). Drizzle this into the apples and mix. Stir until thickened.
Add the butter and cinnamon. If you like nutmeg, try adding just a dash. Mix well, then remove the apples from the heat.
Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray and then add the apple filling, spreading it evenly over the bottom of the pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender. It’s ok if there are small chunks of butter. They’ll melt in while baking and make the cobbler light and tender.
Add in the milk and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.

flour and butter cut together in a mixing bowl

Pour the batter over the top of the apples and spread evenly.
Sprinkle the top of the batter with sugar, then drizzle the hot water overtop. If you have a spray bottle for the kitchen you can also spritz the hot water on top for more even coverage.
Bake for 30-35 minutes in a 350º Fahrenheit oven for until the top is golden brown and cooked through. Check the cobbler at 20 or 25 minutes. If it looks like it is getting too brown on top before it’s baked through, lightly place a piece of foil over the top and finish baking.

apple cobbler in an 8x8 baking pan with a spoon

Storage Instructions

This cobbler is best served warm so I don’t recommend making it in advance. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Please note that the biscuit topping won’t have that lightly crisp exterior after you store it.

You can freeze apple cobbler in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks.

Recipe Variations

As I mentioned before, you can use this cobbler topping with other fruits such as peaches or cherries.
If you don’t want to make a homemade topping, you can make a Bisquick apple cobbler. Just follow the instructions for biscuits on a box of biscuit mix and dollop the dough on top of the apples.
Combine fruits! Can you imagine how delicious an apple peach cobbler would be?
Make a caramel apple cobbler by adding a drizzle of caramel syrup over the apple pie filling, before the batter. Or you can simply drizzle the caramel over the cobbler after it bakes.

I hope your family enjoys our best apple cobbler recipe for years to come.

Homemade Apple Cobbler

4.65 from 54 votes

Move over apple pie…this homemade apple cobbler with sugar biscuit topping is the new way to enjoy cinnamon sugar apples in a dessert.

Servings 9

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

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Ingredients

For the apples:

8 cups freshly peeled & sliced apples (We like Granny Smith)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup apple juice (or water)
2 tablespoons salted butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch nutmeg

For the cobbler:

1 cup all-purpose flour 130 grams
2 tablespoons granulated sugar 27 grams
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons salted butter (cold)
1/2 cup 2% milk

For the sugar topping:

1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons hot water

Instructions

Make the apple filling:

Prepare the apples by peeling, slicing and coring them. Granny Smith apples work great in this recipe.
Place the apples in a medium saucepan and turn the heat to medium low. Add the sugar. Cook and stir until the apples start to soften. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and apple juice (or water). Drizzle this into the apples and mix. Stir until thickened.
Add the butter and cinnamon. Mix well, then remove the apples from the heat.
Spray an 8×8 baking pan with cooking spray and then add the apple filling, spreading it evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Make the cobbler:

Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender. It's ok if there are small chunks of butter. They'll melt in while baking and make the cobbler light and tender.
Add in the milk and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter over the top of the apples and spread evenly.
Sprinkle the top of the batter with sugar, then drizzle the hot water overtop. If you have a spray bottle for the kitchen you can also spritz the hot water on top for more even coverage.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and cooked through. Check the cobbler at 20 or 25 minutes. If it looks like it is getting too brown on top before it's baked through, lightly place a piece of foil over the top and finish baking.
Serve warm with ice cream and caramel syrup if desired.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

The calories shown are based on the cobbler being cut into 9 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 piece of cobbler. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**