This Easy Apple Cobbler is filled with soft and sweet baked apples and applesauce that have a lovely mild spice from the cinnamon. The apples are covered with a buttery crisp cake layer! Top it with ice cream or eat it as is, this easy apple cobbler recipe is the perfect fall dessert recipe that you can eat any time of the day! It just happens to be gluten free, nut free, egg free and easily dairy free (vegan).
Made with just a handful of ingredients, this Easy Apple Cobbler recipe is a quick and simple dessert that is the perfect autumn treat! But don't worry, you can also make this applesauce cobbler when it isn't apple-picking season, with store-bought apples! You can of course eat it as is, but my daughter loves it topped with my Apple Pie Ice Cream; she's obsessed with the combo! Unlike many versions of this recipe, in our version you do not need to cook the apples down ahead of time; everything goes right into the pie dish to bake in the oven, saving time!
For more apple recipes, try my Apple Loaf Cake, my super popular Applesauce Cookies, my Baked Apple Cider Donuts, my Apple Tea Cake and my Applesauce Crumb Cake.
Reasons To Love This Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
- Allergy Friendly- This easy apple dessert is gluten free, nut free, egg free and can easily be dairy free (vegan)!
- Loaded with Apples- There are 5 cups of diced apples inside of this cobbler! And applesauce too!
- Light Cake Topping- The cake topping of this cobbler is so light, thin and crisp!
- Easier than Pie- No need for rolling pins, this applesauce cobbler is so much easier to make than pie while still being super delicious!
Ingredient Notes
- Apples- I like to use 5 cups of diced apples (that's about 5 medium apples peeled and diced). Make sure to dice them as they break down easier when baking.
- Light Brown Sugar- We add some into the apple filling to help create that classic baked apple flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon- Just 1 teaspoon adds such a lovely mild spice to the apple filling.
- Unsalted ButterVegan Baking Sticks- Do not use softened or melted butter/vegan baking sticks. We want to cream the butter with the sugar and it will not work if it is melted or softened. If using vegan baking sticks, make sure they are on the colder side.
- Granulated Sugar- Creamed together with the butter to make the cake layer light and crisp.
- Gluten Free Flour- If you also have nut allergies, make sure to use a brand that’s made in a nut free facility. I really love to use Cup4Cup Multipurpose Flour because it’s free of the top 9 allergens. It also contains xanthan gum which really helps give baked goods their bounce and prevents them from falling apart. Since all multipurpose gf flours are not the same, if you use a different gluten free flour, please understand the results will most likely be different.
- Baking Powder- To help the cake layer rise slightly and to prevent it from sinking into the apple filling.
- Kosher Salt- Helps draw out all the flavors.
- Cornstarch Water- This is essential and binds the cake layer together since the cobbler is eggless.
- Pure Vanilla Extract- Make sure to only use pure vanilla extract otherwise the cobbler can have a chemical flavor.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
How to Make This into a Vegan Apple Cobbler
- Use a gluten free flour that’s free from dairy.
- Make sure the brand of sugar you use is vegan.
- Only use unsalted vegan baking sticks instead of butter.
Make this Recipe with All Purpose Flour
- Use 1 packed cup of regular flour (168 grams).
To Make this Recipe with Eggs
- Use 1 packed cups of regular flour (168 grams).
- Use 2 eggs and eliminate the cornstarch water.
This recipe has not been tested with some of these substitutions and/or variations due to celiac disease and food allergies. If you change any of the ingredients, please let us know how the recipe turned out in the comments below!
How To Make Easy Apple Cobbler
Here are the step by step instructions to make this applesauce cobbler recipe!
Step 1: Mix the Filling Ingredients
In the greased pie dish, gently mix together the 5 diced and peeled apples, ¼ cup light brown sugar, the ground cinnamon and the applesauce.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the Cornstarch Water
In a small bowl, using a spoon, mix together the cornstarch and water until it is thin and watery. It will be thick and tacky at first. Set aside.
Step 4: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Beat the butter and ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until it is soft and creamy. About 1-2 minutes.
Step 5: Add in the Cornstarch Water and Vanilla
Slowly beat the cornstarch water mixture and vanilla into the creamed butter and sugar. It will look chunky.
Step 6: Mix in the Gluten Free Flour Mixture
On low speed add in the gluten free flour mixture until just combined. It will be super sticky.
Step 7: Scoop the Batter
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop (I used a small cookie scoop), scoop the batter onto the apples. Try to cover as much of the apples as you can.
Step 8: Spread the Batter
Take a butter knife or an icing spatula and smooth the batter out into a thin layer to cover the apples.
Some may be peeking through the batter and that's ok.
If you're having trouble, clean slightly wet hands work well to smooth the batter out.
Step 9: Bake and Cool
Place a baking sheet on the oven rack below the cobbler in case the apple liquid overflows slightly.
Bake in the center rack in the oven for 47-50 minutes until the cobbler filling is bubbling and the cake topping is a beautiful golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it sit on top of the stove for 20 minutes before serving. The apple layer is scalding hot right out of the oven and thickens as it cools.
Expert Baking Tips
- Peel the Apples Since the apples will not be baking super long in the over, they need to be peeled, otherwise the skin will not break down.
- Use Packed Cups of Flour- Normally in baking we do not use packed cups however, when working with gluten free, I've found using packed cups works best to help the baked goods keep their shape. Or read the gram measurement.
- Use Room Temperature Butter- Do not use softened or melted butter/vegan baking sticks. We want to cream the butter with the sugar and it will not work if it is melted or softened.
- Smooth the Batter- When the batter is in the pie dish, gently smooth the top with a butter knife prior to baking. If it is too sticky, rinse clean hands with water, shake them off and then use your fingers to smooth out the batter.
- Use a Baking Sheet- Sometimes depending on how juicy the apples are, the liquid can overflow slightly. To avoid a giant mess, place a baking sheet on the oven rack below the cobbler to catch any drips.
- Let it Sit- If you eat this immediately out of the oven, the apple layer will be very liquidy. If you want it to thicken, it needs to rest for about 20 minutes out of the oven.
Recipe FAQs
This applesauce cobbler is best served fresh but you can save the leftovers.
Once cool, you can dust it with powder sugar or top it with ice cream!
If you do top it with ice cream, I love how it tastes with my Apple Pie Ice Cream! Such a good pairing! Or, of course, my Cinnamon Ice Cream.
Wrap the top of the pie dish with foil and pop it in the fridge for up to two days.
When ready to eat, cut a slice and pop it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. Be careful not to burn your mouth.
I do not recommend freezing this cobbler.
More Easy Dessert Recipes You'll Love
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📖 Recipe
Easy Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 5 cups peeled and diced apples (about 5 medium apples peeled and diced)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar , packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup applesauce (I use one with zero sugar added)
For the Cake Topping
- 1 cup multipurpose gluten free flour (I use Cup4Cup gluten free multipurpose flour which contains xanthan gum)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 rounded tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
- ½ cup unsalted butter or vegan baking stick, room temperature
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease an 8 inch square or round baking dish or pie dish.
- Into the greased baking dish, mix together the 5 cups of diced and peeled apples, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ⅓ cup applesauce. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup gluten free flour, ¼ teaspoon baking powder and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, using a spoon, mix together the 2 rounded tablespoons of cornstarch (26 grams) with 3 tablespoons of water until thin and watery. It will be thick and tacky at first.
- In a large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the ½ cup unsalted butter or vegan baking stick and the ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until it is soft and creamy. About 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly beat the cornstarch water mixture and ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar. It will look chunky.
- On low speed slowly mix in the gluten free flour mixture until just combined. The batter will be super sticky.
- Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop (I used a small cookie scoop), scoop the batter onto the apples. Try to cover as much of the apples as you can.
- Then take a butter knife or an icing spatula and smooth the batter out into a thin layer to cover all the apples.If the batter is too sticky, use slightly wet hands and smooth it out with slightly wet fingers. Some apples may be peeking through the batter on the edges and that's ok.
- Place a baking sheet on the oven rack below the cobbler in case the apple liquid overflows slightly.Bake in the center rack in the oven for 47-50 minutes until the cobbler filling is bubbling and the cake topping is a beautiful golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit on top of the stove for about 20 minutes before serving. The apple layer gets scalding hot and will thicken as it cools.
- Top with powdered sugar or ice cream or serve as is. Enjoy!
Steve says
Delicious apple cobbler and ice cream! What could be a better autumn dessert?
Ronnie says
This looks so easy to make! I will be making it for my family for the holidays since they love apples and cobblers!
Amanda says
This is so easy to make! My family loved it especially my husband who loves apples. I will definitely make this again at Thanksgiving! it is a great fall and winter dessert!
Theresa says
I love apple pie, but not making the crust, so this is perfect for me and my family.
John says
This is the perfect cobbler for Fall! I love it!