Apple Cobbler
Apple Cobbler is a warm fall dessert with tender cinnamon apples under a golden biscuit top. It bakes in one 9×9 dish and lands on the table in about 40 minutes.
Sweet sliced apples, a touch of cinnamon, and a soft drop biscuit topping made with Jiffy baking mix.
I make this when family and friends stay for dinner on a chilly fall weekend. The pan goes on the table warm with a carton of vanilla ice cream, and everyone helps themselves to seconds without being asked.
Recipe Highlights
- On the table in about 40 minutes
- The topping starts with Jiffy baking mix
- 7 everyday ingredients and 1 baking dish
- No pastry or biscuit cutting skills needed
- Works with any baking apples you have
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
APPLES – This cobbler is made with fresh apples, and Granny Smith, Gala, and Honeycrisp are my go-to trio. Mixing a tart apple with a sweeter one gives the filling more depth. Any firm baking apple you already have works fine.
JIFFY BAKING MIX – Grab the blue box labeled All-Purpose Baking Mix, not the corn muffin mix. The topping uses the same formula as Jiffy’s own drop biscuits, plus a little sugar. Bisquick works in the same amounts.
BUTTER – I use unsalted butter for nearly all of my baking. Salted works here too, since there’s no added salt in the recipe to adjust.
CINNAMON – One teaspoon seasons the whole dish. Add a small pinch of nutmeg along with it if your family likes a spicier apple filling.
BAKING DISH – Glass or metal both work in a 9×9 dish. An 8×8 fits too. The cobbler bakes a little deeper, so give it a few extra minutes.
How To Make An Apple Cobbler
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Boil the apple slices until just tender and drain them well.
- Layer the apples in the dish with the sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
- Stir the baking mix, milk, and sugar into a thick batter.
- Spread the batter over the apples and bake until golden brown.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
FREEZE – Cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
REHEAT – Warm single servings in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. To bring back the golden top, warm the dish uncovered in a 350º Fahrenheit oven for about 10 minutes.
MAKE AHEAD – The cobbler is best baked fresh. To get a head start, boil and drain the apples up to a day early, then refrigerate them and assemble right before baking.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
Serving Suggestions
WARM WITH ICE CREAM – A scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the warm biscuit topping is the classic way to serve it. A drizzle of caramel sauce (LINK PENDING, your blogger pick) takes it straight into apple pie territory.
COBBLER NIGHT – Make it a double feature: our savory Chicken Cobbler for dinner, this one for dessert, and Honey Butter Skillet Corn on the side. Biscuit tops from start to finish.
COFFEE HOUR – In true German fashion, a square of warm cobbler with an afternoon cup of coffee counts as a meal at my house.
POTLUCK READY – The cobbler travels right in its baking dish. Bake it before you leave and it will still be a little warm when dessert rolls around.
Recipe Success Tips
APPLE PEELER – A crank-style peeler cores, peels, and slices in one motion. You get thin, even slices that all cook at the same speed.
JUST TENDER – Pull the apples off the heat when a fork slides in with a little resistance. They finish softening in the oven.
EASY SPREADING – The batter is thick. The back of a spoon or lightly damp fingers spread it edge to edge in no time.
GOLDEN TOP – The cobbler is ready when the top is deep golden brown and a toothpick poked into the topping comes out clean.
EXPERT TIP – Let the cobbler rest for 10 minutes before serving. The juices settle, the topping sets, and every scoop comes out neat.
Commonly Asked Questions
What Are the Best Apples for Apple Cobbler?
Apple Cobbler works best with firm baking apples like Granny Smith, Gala, and Honeycrisp. They cook up soft and still keep a nice bite. Mixing a tart apple with a sweeter one gives the filling the best flavor, so combine whatever you have in the fruit bowl.
Can I Make Apple Cobbler with Bisquick?
Yes, Bisquick works in place of the Jiffy mix with no other changes. Use the same amounts the recipe calls for and bake as directed. Any all-purpose baking mix behaves the same way here, so grab whichever box is already in your pantry.
Can I Use Canned Apple Pie Filling?
Yes, canned apple pie filling makes this cobbler even faster. Spread two 21-ounce cans in the baking dish and skip the water, sugar, and boiling step, since the filling is already sweet and soft. Add the cinnamon and butter, top with the batter, and bake as directed.
Do I Have to Peel the Apples?
Peeling gives Apple Cobbler its softest filling. A crank-style apple peeler makes quick work of the job. That said, a little missed peel is nothing to worry about. It softens in the oven and adds a pretty bit of color to the finished dish.
What Is the Difference Between a Cobbler and a Crisp?
A cobbler has a soft biscuit or batter topping, while a crisp has a buttery oat streusel on top. A crumble is nearly the same as a crisp, just without the oats. All three start with sweetened fruit, so the topping is what sets each dessert apart.
|
Dessert |
Topping |
Texture |
|
Cobbler (this recipe) |
Biscuit or batter |
Soft and golden, like a dumpling top |
|
Crisp |
Oat streusel |
Toasty, crunchy clusters |
|
Crumble |
Streusel without oats |
Fine, buttery crumbs |
More Fall Desserts
Fall baking season never really ends at my house. These four are next in line.
German Apple Cake – A classic Apfelkuchen with tender apples baked right into the batter.
No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake – A creamy fall dessert that sets in the refrigerator, no oven needed.
Pumpkin Bars – Soft, spiced bars under a thick layer of cream cheese frosting.
Strawberry Turnovers – Flaky puff pastry pockets with a sweet strawberry center.
Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
For the Apples
- 6 cups apples peeled and sliced, about 6 medium
- ¾ cup water
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cobbler Topping
- 2 cups Jiffy All-Purpose Baking Mix
- ⅔ cup milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Cook the Apples
- Preheat the oven to 425º Fahrenheit.
- Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the apples and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until just fork-tender. Drain well.
- Pour the apples into a 9×9 baking dish. Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the top, then scatter the butter pieces over the apples.
Make the Topping
- Stir the baking mix, milk, and sugar together in a medium bowl until a thick batter forms.
Assemble and Bake
- Drop the batter by heaping tablespoons over the apples, then gently spread it to cover.
- Bake uncovered for 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes and serve warm.
Notes
BAKING MIX
Tested with Jiffy All-Purpose Baking Mix. Bisquick works in the same amounts.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett grew up in German kitchens learning to cook and bake alongside her Omas before spending over a decade running full-service restaurants in the US. She founded Cheerful Cook in 2017 to share practical, tested comfort food recipes that actually work on busy weeknights, drawing on both her American restaurant experience and her German home-cooking roots. Her work has been featured on MSN, Yahoo, the Associated Press, and other major media outlets.