Caramel Apple Cobbler with Cookie Dough Topping

Sure, the brown sugar and spice apple filling is amazing, but the real secret to this cobbler is the topping that bakes into one giant cookie on top. Trust me on this. With a scoop of ice cream on top, this is a fall dessert that’s easy to make but special enough for an autumn party.

I’ve always hated the phrase easy as pie because pies are…not that easy. So if you are a pie lover but making a pie just seems like too much, cobbler is the answer. It’s a simple filling, an easy topping, and no pressure to look perfect. This is my absolute favorite fall dessert partly because it’s just so easy.

What You’ll Need

Just fall spices, pantry ingredients, and some caramel. Either homemade or store-bought will work fine.

As written, this recipe makes enough for 20 servings. If you’d like a smaller size, you can cut it in half and use a pie plate or 9×9 square baking dish. Keep the same baking time: 20 minutes covered for the filling, then 35-40 minutes for the topping.

For the Filling

• 9 cups diced Granny Smith apples (7-9 apples, depending on size)  or Honeycrisp/Braeburn, but reduce sugar slightly
• ⅔ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch, or equal amount all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ⅓ teaspoon allspice

For the topping

• 1 cup softened butter, salted (2 sticks) or use unsalted butter + pinch of salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch salt

For Serving

• vanilla ice cream – or try caramel or cinnamon ice cream
• 1 jar prepared caramel sauce

Step by Step Cobbler

Let’s do this.

Get ready to bake

Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.  If your filling overflows, you’ll be glad.

Prep the apples

We begin with 7-9 apples, depending on size. First you peel them, then dice.

It’s better to dice the apples, rather than slice.  It makes your scoops neater and looks better. I go for about 1 inch cubes, but no no need to get particular about it.  Once you have diced the apples, they should measure about eight cups.  

Make the filling

Now we make the filling in a mixing bowl.  This is basically an apple pie filling (and you could use a home-canned apple pie filling with no problem).  In a large bowl, mix the apples, brown sugar, cornstarch cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.

(If you have chosen a sweeter apple variety and want to add a teaspoon of lemon juice, you can.)

Pre-bake the filling

Pour the filling into a 13×9 baking dish. Cover it tightly with foil (yes, just the filling!) and bake it for 20 minutes.

Why are we doing this?  Because we want the apples to release their juices, mix with the cornstarch and sugar, and thicken.  They are going to get a head start so this can happen without the topping over browning.  

Make the topping

While the filling is baking, let’s start the topping.  This is easy. It’s like making the world’ simplest cookie dough. And once you’ve mastered it, the cobbler world is your oyster, from peach cobbler to cranberry cobbler.

We need 2 sticks of butter and a cup of granulated sugar.  Mix them with an electric mixer until they are fluffy, for about three minutes.  Then add the egg, then the dry ingredients. Just flour, baking powder, and salt.  

Mix on low until everything is combined.

Assemble and bake

Then, we just scoop out the cookie dough with a spoon and dot on top of the apple filling.

Back in the oven it goes for 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.  Then pour on the caramel sauce, about ¼ cup. Do this right away while it’s still hot. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

If you want make homemade caramel, of course you can! But it’s not necessary.

Top and Serve

Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. 

Of course, you MUST serve it with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream on top.

Storage instructions

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Leftovers are also good cold!

Questions and Troubleshooting

More Classic Fall Desserts

When it’s apple and spice and pumpkin season, you better enjoy it.

• Another personal favorite are my soft and chewy molasses cookies. All the fall flavor, no chopping.
• A classic apple pie with an oat crumble topping is (sometimes) worth the effort.
• But sometimes there’s nothing like a moist pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.

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