Easy Caramel Apple Cobbler

In this recipe: This perfect fall dessert blends apples and warm spices in a classic filling, then tops it off with a sugar cookie-inspired cobbler topping. You’ll never go back to any other cobbler technique after you try this one.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

• So easy. Pie is hard. Cobbler is a breeze. No rolling pins, no chilling, no making things look perfect.
• The flavors are amazing together. Caramel, tender apples, cinnamon, and vanilla ice cream on top. What’s not to love.
• Warm and cozy. It’s a classic fall dessert that will make your house smell like the holidays.

🧂 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

You’ll need the following for this easy dessert:

• tart apples
• light brown sugar
• cornstarch
• cinnamon
• cloves
• allspice
• salted butter
• granulated sugar
• egg
• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• salt
• prepared caramel sauce

🥣 Equipment

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• 13 x 9 baking dish
• hand mixer

🍴Instructions

Step One: make the filling

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

We begin with four apples. First, you peel them, then dice.

It’s better to dice the apples, rather than slice them. It makes your scoops neater and looks better. I go for about 1-inch cubes, but no need to get particular about it. Once you have diced the apples, they should measure about 8-9cups.  

Then we prepare the filling in a mixing bowl. This is basically an apple pie filling. In a large bowl, mix the apples, brown sugar, cornstarch cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. 

Step Two: pre-bake the filling

Pour the filling into a deep round baking dish or a 9×9 square baking dish. Cover it tightly with foil (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.  

Step three: 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.

Beat the sugar and butter with an electric mixer until they are fluffy, for about three minutes. Then add the egg yolk, then the dry ingredients. Just flour, baking powder, and salt.  

Mix on low until everything is combined

Remove the fruit filling from the oven when the time is up. It will look juicy and slightly browned from the brown sugar.

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

Step Four: bake

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. It’s beautiful, isn’t it! If you want to make homemade caramel, of course, you can! But it’s not necessary.

Step Five: serve

Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. You can also pop it in the fridge and either eat it cold or warm it for a few minutes in the oven.

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

🥫 Storage instructions

First, let the cobbler cool completely. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge. If you have a small amount of leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container rather than leaving them in the casserole dish.

You can warm it up in a 300-degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.

This recipe does not freeze well.

🔍 FAQs

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

• If you have chosen a sweeter apple variety, like Honeycrisp apples or Gala apples, either reduce the sugar slightly or add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to the filling.
• Be sure to dice your apples! Sliced apples are a pain to scoop. 😊
• If you like nuts, try sprinkling chopped pecans on top of the dough when it comes out of the oven.
• If you haven’t tried any of my cobbler recipes, the topping may seem weird to you. It’s the best and you’ll just have to trust me on this one.
• You can cut the recipe in half and bake in quiche dish or deep pie plate.

📘 Related Recipes

• Fall Sourdough Recipes
• Cinnamon Sugar Peach Apple Pie
• Old Fashioned Apple Butter for Canning
• The Best Apple Pie with Brown Sugar

🍽 Serve it with

Having a nice family dinner? Make these too.

• Homemade Classic Vanilla Ice Cream
• Crockpot Chicken Broccoli and Rice
• Cast Iron Skillet Baked Beans
• Crusty Sourdough Rolls

📖 Here’s the recipe