Easy Apple Cobbler (Homemade Recipe With Maple And Pecan)

Made with pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and fresh apples, this Maple Pecan Easy Apple Cobbler is a delightful Fall dessert brimming with fresh apple flavor! This is a great cobbler to make in the fall when the weather begins to cool. It is the ultimate warm and delicious meal to welcome October with family and friends.

Yes, it’s October, and you know what that means! It’s time to enjoy a homemade pecan apple cobbler. A cobbler is the perfect fall dessert. It’s warm, gooey, and delicious. This one has a bubbling apple cinnamon filling and is made with pecans, maple syrup, and brown sugar to create the most amazing flavor combination! 

Want more delicious apple recipes to try out?  If you loved this recipe and you’d like some more apple recipes, why not start with Fireball Apple Bread Pudding? Then you could go with a classic such as a double-crusted apple pie that’s always a family favorite.

If you want to try more cobbler recipes, check out this southern peach cobbler, easy to make with canned peaches.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It is impossible not to fall in love with this Pecan Caramel Apple Cobbler recipe. I am head over heels in love! The following are some of the reasons why I adore this autumnal dessert, and I am convinced that you will appreciate it for the same reasons as I do.

• This caramel apple pecan cobbler is just the right amount of sweet, incredibly delicious, and incredibly filling easy dessert!
• It has the same taste and texture as a homemade apple pie but is much easier to make. Making the crust is a snap, and it’s extremely delicious! In less than an hour, you may have a delicious fall dessert ready to serve to your friends and family.
• This homemade apple cobbler recipe uses pecans. When combined with apple and cinnamon, pecans can significantly improve the flavor of this cobbler. The pecans add a delightful nuttiness to your cobbler, elevating each taste to a new level of appreciation.

What Is Cobbler?

A cobbler is a traditional American dessert that features fruit filling poured into a large baking dish and covered with a batter, biscuit, or dumpling before being baked. Unlike pies that have a bottom and often a top crust, cobblers only have the topping, which is spooned over the fruit mixture and then baked. 

The result is a crusty, golden-brown topping that’s part crisp, part soft, and fluffy, depending on the recipe. The fruit used in cobblers can vary based on seasonality and regional preferences, allowing for a wide range of flavors, from peaches and berries to the apple and pecan featured in the recipe above. 

Cobblers are famed for their simplicity and rustic charm. They offer the perfect balance of sweet, fruity filling and rich, buttery topping. 

What’s in This Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe?

• Large Baking Apples (Gala Recommended): Apples are the star of the cobbler. They provide the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, and Gala apples are particularly known for their slightly sweet flavor and firm texture, which stands up well to baking.
• Cinnamon: This warming spice adds a deep, aromatic flavor to the cobbler, enhancing the apples’ natural sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: With its rich molasses flavor, brown sugar brings a deeper, caramel-like sweetness to the cobbler, beautifully complementing the apples and spices.
• Ground Cloves: A pinch of ground cloves adds spicy warmth to the dish, elevating the flavor profile.
• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup not only sweetens the cobbler but also infuses it with a unique, earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with both the apples and pecans.
• Pecans (Chopped): Chopped pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty richness to the cobbler, enhancing its texture and taste complexity.
• Flour: The foundation of the cobbler topping, flour helps create a tender and crumbly crust that becomes irresistibly golden and crisp as it bakes.
• Granulated Sugar: This lightly sweetens the cobbler topping, balancing the flavors without overpowering the natural sweetness of the fruits and maple syrup.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents ensure the cobbler topping rises to a fluffy, light texture that contrasts beautifully with the dense, fruity filling.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and moisture to the cobbler topping, contributing to its golden, buttery crunch.
• Buttermilk: Giving the cobbler topping a slightly tangy flavor, buttermilk also contributes to its tender texture, interacting with the baking powder and soda for rise and fluffiness.
• Caramel Sauce: Drizzled on top before serving, caramel sauce adds a luxurious, gooey sweetness that magnificently ties the cobbler’s flavors together.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Substitutions And Variations

• Apples: While Gala apples are recommended for their firmness and slightly sweet flavor, feel free to use any type of apple you enjoy or have available. Granny Smith apples are a great alternative for those who prefer a more tart flavor profile.
• Nuts: If you’re allergic to pecans or simply not a fan, walnuts can be a wonderful substitute, offering a similar texture and nutty flavor. For a nut-free version, consider adding oats to the topping for an extra crunch.
• Sweeteners: If you’re looking for alternatives to maple syrup or brown sugar, honey or agave syrup are excellent substitutes. They both offer natural sweetness with distinct flavors that can beautifully complement the apples and cinnamon.
• Flour: For a gluten-free version of the cobbler, replace the regular flour with an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix. Be sure to check that it’s suitable for baking and can be used as a direct substitute for wheat flour.
• Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, a quick and easy substitute can be made by mixing one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with enough milk to measure one cup. Stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes before using. This can also be made with dairy-free milk for a vegan option.
• Butter: For a dairy-free or vegan version, substitute the unsalted butter with plant-based butter or coconut oil. Coconut oil will add a slight coconut flavor to the dish.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cobbler (step-by-step directions)

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and grease a skillet with vegetable oil.
2. Peel, core, and chop the apples. (Photo 1)
3. Combine the chopped apples, ground cloves, and 1 tsp in a large bowl. of cinnamon, brown sugar, pecans, and maple syrup. Stir until well mixed. (Photos 2 & 3)
4. Use an electric mixer to blend flour, 1 tsp. cinnamon, granulated sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix on low speed until combined.
5. Cut cold butter into small chunks and blend into the flour mixture until it becomes crumbly.
6. Gradually mix in buttermilk until it’s fully incorporated with the flour.
7. Transfer the apple mixture to the bottom of the greased skillet. (Photo 4)

1. Spoon dough on top of the apples, spooning it evenly over the top
2. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes, then decrease the temperature to 350° and bake for another 23 minutes. (Photo 5)
3. Allow to cool slightly. Scoop out and serve with a scoop of ice cream if desired. (Photo 6)

Recipe Tips

• Evenly Chop Apples: Ensuring apples are chopped to a similar size promotes uniform cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming too soft while others remain too firm.
• Cold Butter: Use butter straight from the fridge for the best texture in the cobbler topping. The cold butter creates little pockets of steam as it bakes, contributing to a flakier topping.
• Don’t Overmix: When incorporating the buttermilk into the flour mixture, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tougher topping as the gluten in the flour develops.
• Skillet Temperature: If using a cast iron skillet, ensure it’s properly seasoned to prevent the cobbler from sticking. Preheating the skillet in the oven can also give the cobbler a nice crust on the bottom.
• Bake Until Golden: Monitor the cobbler as it bakes and remove it from the oven once the topping is golden brown and the fruit mixture is bubbling. This indicates the cobbler is perfectly cooked.
• Serving: Allow the cobbler to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This rest period lets the filling thicken slightly, which makes for easier serving and a better texture.
• Drizzle with Warm Caramel: Heating the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling it over the cobbler can make it easier to spread and enhance its flavor.

Alternative Cooking Methods

While baking in an oven is the traditional method for making cobbler, alternative cooking methods can also yield delicious results. 

One such method is using a slow cooker, which is ideal for achieving a tender, juicy filling without worrying about the risk of burning the topping. To do so, simply prepare the apple mixture as instructed and layer it in the slow cooker. Combine the dry ingredients for the topping in a separate bowl, then cut in the butter until crumbly, and spread this mixture over the apples. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.

Another option is to use an air fryer for a quicker cooking time. Adjust the recipe by dividing the ingredients into smaller, air fryer-safe pans or baking dishes. Because of the air fryer’s efficient circulation, the cobbler can cook in about 15-20 minutes at 350°F. This method is perfect for making individual servings or when you’re short on time.

Whichever method you choose, monitor the cooking process the first time you try it to ensure perfect results. Adjustments might be needed depending on your appliance’s specific characteristics.

Storing Tips 

Allow the cobbler to cool completely before covering it securely with plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To serve, simply reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, usually about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

This cobbler also freezes well. First, cool the cobbler completely, then cover the entire dish tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or transfer servings into airtight, freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

To reheat a frozen portion of the cobbler, you can either thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then warm it in the microwave as mentioned above or reheat it directly from frozen. To do this, cover the cobbler with foil and bake at 350°F until it is heated through, approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of the portion. Remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking if you prefer a crispier topping.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious apple cobbler pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments that can enhance its flavors and textures. One popular option is a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, which melts slowly on the warm cobbler, creating a delightful contrast of hot and cold. Or you could have a dessert buffet and have some fruit roll up ice cream sandwiches separately for a similar effect.

If you’re looking to add a bit more flavor contrast, a sharp cheddar cheese complements the sweetness and tartness of the apple cobbler perfectly, offering a balance that is pleasantly surprising to the palate. 

For a lighter touch, a side of fresh berries or a simple dusting of powdered sugar can also complement the dish well. Or go for chocolate covered strawberries as an example of a great pairing for chocolate fans.

Recipe FAQs

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