This easy apple cobbler is made with sweet cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a golden, buttery crust. A cozy, old-fashioned dessert that’s simple and always a fall favorite.

Easy apple cobbler topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce in a white bowl.

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Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe

There’s no such thing as having too many apple desserts in the fall. A quick apple dump cake is my go-to when I need something fast, while an apple tart feels a little fancier for entertaining.

This easy apple cobbler is the recipe I come back to time and time again. The apple filling simmers in an apple juice and cinnamon sugar sauce, then gets topped with a sweet, buttery, cake-like crust that rivals grandma’s.

We enjoy crisps and cobblers all year long. In the summer it’s peach cobbler or blueberry crisp, and once fall rolls around we love this apple crisp dessert and easy apple cake.

Ingredient Notes

Sliced apples on cutting board.

Find the full printable recipe with directions.

  • Apples: About 5 medium (7 cups), peeled if you like. They cook down into a soft, sweet apple filling with just the right amount of bite.
  • Lemon juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and adds brightness. Optional, but a nice touch.
  • Apple juice: Adds extra flavor to the filling and helps bring the cinnamon sugar sauce together.
  • Brown sugar and cinnamon: Sweetens the apples with a warm spice and subtle caramel note that deepens as it bakes. Use my cinnamon sugar mix for extra flavor.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the filling so it’s glossy and clings to the apples instead of turning watery.
  • Apple cobbler topping: A variation of my crumble topping, made with butter, sugar, flour, baking powder and vanilla extract. It bakes up buttery and soft with a light, cake-like texture and just a hint of crispness on top.
Jamielyn Nye

Best Apples for Apple Cobbler

Unless you’re making applesauce, choose firm apples that hold their shape when baked. A mix of sweet and tart varieties works best. Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious add sweetness, while Granny Smith brings tart balance. Braeburn, Gala, and Pink Lady are also great choices with their crisp texture and flavor.

How to Make Apple Cobbler

Step by step photos showing how to make apple cobbler with fresh apples and buttery topping.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  1. Cook: Cook the apples, apple juice, brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour apple pie filling into baking dish.
  2. Mix: Add the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Once it is mixed together, add in the flour and baking powder. Stir biscuit topping until just combined.
  3. Add: Flatten the dough to place on top of the apples. Sprinkle with a Tablespoon of sugar if desired.
  4. Bake: Cook for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Golden baked apple cobbler in a square pan fresh from the oven.

Recipe Tips

  • Skin on or off: You can leave the peel if you like, but for the best texture I recommend peeling the apples.
  • Thicker topping: For a heartier cobbler crust, use a smaller 9×9 baking dish so the topping overlaps more.
  • Serving: Let the cobbler rest a few minutes before digging in. This allows the juices to settle and helps the topping crisp up.
  • Make extra: Double the apple filling and freeze the extra to use later in apple fritters or apple crepes.
  • What to serve with: A scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel sauce takes this cobbler over the top.
Warm apple cobbler served in a bowl with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

More delicious apple recipes include apple pie cupcakes, brown bag apple pie or apple turnovers.

More Apple Dessert Recipes

Easy apple cobbler topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce in a white bowl.

Apple Cobbler

5 from 10 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Rest: 10 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 9
This easy apple cobbler is made with sweet cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a golden, buttery crust. A cozy, old-fashioned dessert that’s simple and always a fall favorite.
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Ingredients 

Apple filling:

  • 5 medium apples , about 7 cups
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice , optional
  • ¾ cup apple juice
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar , packed
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon Kosher salt

Crumble topping:

  • ½ cup salted butter , slightly melted
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar , more for top
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

For serving (optional): vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or caramel sauce

Instructions

  • Peel and slice: Peel 5 medium apples if desired and then cut into slices 1/4" thick. You can then cut the apples in half if you'd like smaller pieces.
  • Make apple filling. Place the apples in a saucepan. Squeeze 1 Tablespoon of a lemon juice in if desired. Then add in 3/4 cup apple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
  • Make cobbler topping. Mix 1/2 cup salted butter, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium-sized bowl. Once it's mixed, add in 1 cup flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Add in a pinch of salt and cinnamon if desired. Mix just until combined.
  • Assemble. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×13" or 9×9" (for a thicker crust) baking dish. Then pour the apples into the pan. Flatten the dough to place on top. Sprinkle with a Tablespoon of sugar (or cinnamon sugar) if desired.
  • Bake. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve. Serve while warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Drizzle caramel on top if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Apples: Make sure to use fresh and firm apples. I prefer to use a mix of golden delicious, honey crisp or granny smith for baking. Feel free to leave the skin on or peel them beforehand. I prefer to peel them, but usually run out of time and leave them on. :) 
Make ahead: If you want to get a head start on this dessert, you can cook the apples as instructed. Then I would make the dough and refrigerate separately until ready to bake. Follow the last 3 steps when ready to bake.
Storage: This dish is best served hot out of the oven. You can store leftover for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes at 300°F. 

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 93mg, Potassium: 197mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 32g, Vitamin A: 381IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Variations

  • Fruit swaps: Substitute the apples with other fruits like mixed berries, strawberries, blackberries (try my blackberry cobbler), blueberries, plums, pears, or peaches.
  • Spice blend: Swap ground cinnamon for apple pie spice to add extra warmth and depth of flavor.
  • Richer filling: Dot small cubes of butter over the apple layer before adding the cobbler topping for even more richness as it bakes.
  • Shortcut version: Use your favorite canned pie filling instead of homemade apple filling for a quick and easy dessert.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between apple crisp and apple cobbler?

Cobbler has a thicker, cake-like topping that bakes up soft and slightly crisp. Crisps use a streusel topping, usually made with oats, brown sugar, flour, and butter.

Can I use a cake mix for the cobbler topping?

Yes! A yellow or vanilla cake mix works great as a shortcut. You can even use Bisquick if that’s what you have on hand.

Can I make apple cobbler ahead of time?

Yes, cook down the apples to make the filling mixture and make the crust but keep them stored separately in airtight containers. When you’re ready to bake, assemble in the baking dish and continue as directed.

How to store and reheat apple cobbler?

Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat a single serving in the microwave for 20–30 seconds, or re-crisp the topping by warming the cobbler in a 300°F oven for 5–10 minutes.