This apple cobbler with brown sugar pecan topping breathes new life into a beloved classic. It combines a classic apple filling and cake-like cobbler topping with a sweet, crunchy brown sugar pecan topping to create a dessert full of flavor and interesting textures.
There are all kinds of absolutely delicious dessert recipes out there, from cookies to cheesecakes and everything in between. We love them all, but for both of us, nothing tops a good cobbler.
There’s just something about the fruity filling paired with that cakey topping that hits the spot like nothing else, especially classics like this blackberry cobbler recipe.
Of course, if you’re talking about classic fruity flavors, you have to include apples. Although most people associate them with pie, they’re also perfect in cobblers like this mini apple cobbler.
Our newest cobbler combines classic apple flavor and cobbler topping with an extra layer of a crunchy, sweet, and earthy brown sugar pecan crust to deliver a ton of classic sweet flavor and a little something extra.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: This cobbler utilizes basic baking ingredients commonly found in any kitchen or grocery store.
- Easy to Make: Like all cobblers, this recipe is straightforward and requires only a few simple steps, taking approximately an hour to complete.
- Classic Flavor: The apple filling and cobbler topping create a classic, down-home flavor that everyone loves.
- Extra Sweetness and Crunch: Our brown sugar pecan topping adds an extra layer of flavor and texture you’ll enjoy.
- Versatile: Cobblers are perfect for weeknight dinners or any special occasion.
- Great for Prepping: This recipe is freezer-friendly, allowing you to make extra and save it for later.
Ingredients
You’ll find a complete list of ingredients and their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Variations
- Fruit: Any of your favorite fruits will work with this filling recipe. Try pears, peaches, cherries, berries, and even tropical fruits like pineapple.
- Nutty Topping: Try your favorite nuts to produce different flavor profiles. Any of them will work with the sweetness of the filling and cobbler batter.
- Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for a gluten-free version of this recipe. You can’t tell the difference!
How to Make Apple Cobbler with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
Step 1: Combine the filling ingredients in a large bowl and let them sit for 5 minutes. Add the fruit to a prepared 9×13 baking dish.
Step 2: Whisk the dry topping ingredients in a medium bowl. Then, cut cold butter into it with a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly.
Step 3: Pour the boiling water into the mixture and stir until combined. Pour over the filling.
Step 4: Mix all the pecan topping ingredients, then spoon the mixture evenly over the cobbler and bake at 375°F until the topping is golden and baked through.
Step 5: Cool for about 20 minutes to let the filling set and serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips
- Pre-cut your butter into cubes and keep it chilled until ready to cut it into the flour mixture. This gives your cobbler topping the best texture.
- Ensure your water is at a rolling boil before adding it to the flour mixture for optimal results.
- Allow your apple mixture to sit for at least 5 minutes, allowing the fruit to begin macerating and releasing its sweet juices.
- If your pecan topping is getting too brown, lightly cover the cobbler with foil.
Apple Cobbler with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping FAQ
The apples in the filling should be soft and tender. However, depending on individual recipes, the topping may or may not be slightly crunchy on top.
Most people don’t realize how long it takes a cobbler to cook. Most cobblers take about an hour to bake because the filling needs to boil in the oven to thicken properly.
Insert a toothpick into the cobbler topping. If it comes out clean, your cobbler is all done!
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Apple Cobbler with Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, sliced ¼ inch thick
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Cobbler Topping
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, 1 stick, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup boiling water
Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Apple Filling
- Add sliced apples to a large bowl and add all of the filling ingredients together.
- Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes while preparing the flour mixture, then add filling to the prepared baking dish..
Cobbler Topping
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.
- Cut butter into dry ingredients with a pastry cutter, or two forks, until mixture is crumbly.
- Pour boiling water flour mixture and stir until combined.
- Add the cobbler topping mixture over the apple filling and gently spread making sure to cover the apple filling completely.
Brown Sugar Pecan Topping
- In a small bowl, add brown sugar, pecans, flour, and melted butter. Stir to combine.
- Spoon mixture evenly over the cobbler topping.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until cobbler topping is baked through. If brown sugar pecan topping starts to brown too much, lightly cover with foil.
- Remove from the oven and enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
- Defrost overnight in the fridge if frozen. Then, microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals.
- Pre-cut your butter into cubes and keep it chilled until ready to cut it into the flour mixture. This gives your cobbler topping the best texture.
- Ensure your water is at a rolling boil before adding it to the flour mixture for optimal results.
- Allow your apple mixture to sit for at least 5 minutes, allowing the fruit to begin macerating and releasing its sweet juices.
- If your pecan topping is getting too brown, lightly cover the cobbler with foil.
