My Favorite Apple Cobbler (Plus a Love Story)
Of all the desserts I’ve made, I have the fondest memories of apple cobbler. It was the first thing I learned to make well and it was a sure-fire bribe when it came to getting my brother to do things for me. As a teen, all I had to do was place a freshly baked cobbler next to an empty bowl, with a tempting spoon resting on its side, and my brother would happily wash the dishes or vacuum the house – both things on my weekend chore list. Oh yes. Behold the powers of a simple bowl… filled with warm apple slices, a biscuity topping, and scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Yet apple cobbler is more than a token of my younger days. It’s also inextricably connected to love… and fire… and what eventually became a funny story that wasn’t very funny at the time. I’ll explain.
My husband and I met during our junior year of college, and one cool, autumn evening he invited me over to his place for a study date. He rented the first floor of a house with two of his friends, and since renting a house meant he also had a full-sized kitchen I thought it’d be a great idea to make a cobbler for him. Not only would it be a welcome accompaniment to a long night of studying, but it was the perfect way to further win his affections. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach right? This was my chance.
I deftly sliced the apples, sprinkled the cinnamon sugar, mixed the batter for the biscuit topping, then assembled it all in a pie dish. Needless to say, my boyfriend was impressed. I slid the cobbler into the oven just as he headed off to the market for vanilla ice cream, and let me tell you, I was looking forward to unveiling that cobbler when he got back – all syrupy and golden and delicious.
I spent the next 15 minutes studying in my boyfriend’s room with the door shut, deeply engrossed in a chapter of my psychology book because I was just that awesome of a student. Then I heard something. What was that? An alarm? I got up, cracked open the door and was met with an enormous cloud of thick, white smoke. Oh. my. god.
Both of my boyfriend’s roommates were out that night, so I was the only one there, aside from the landlord who lived upstairs and will enter this story in just a moment. I dashed over to the oven and opened the door, jumping back with a yelp as flames came shooting out. Then I slammed the door shut and stood there, paralyzed for a moment. I had no idea what to do. This wasn’t my kitchen, I didn’t know where the fire extinguisher was! And just as that panicked thought entered my head the landlord kicked down the door, wide-eyed and phone in hand, ready to call 911. “No! It’ll be fine!” I exclaimed, “It’s just my cobbler! The juice from the apples, the apples were too juicy! It bubbled over and caught on fire, that’s all!” “Open the doors and windows!” he shouted, and I immediately ran to the front door to fling it open.
As the door swung wide and I stepped onto the front porch, I saw my boyfriend walking up the block, ice cream in hand… and it was at this point that I did what any college aged gal would do when faced with a romantic situation gone horribly awry. I started crying. Right there on the porch, with smoke billowing out behind me and the landlord screaming obscenities as he frantically ran around the apartment opening windows. “It wasn’t supposed to be this way!” I sobbed as my boyfriend drew closer and his facial expression grew increasingly perplexed, “I’m so sorry!”
Did I know how to romance a guy or what?
I’m not sure why my then boyfriend, now husband, stayed with me after this incident. I mean yes, the flames did die down eventually… you know, as the sugars from the juice ran out. And yes, his landlord was relatively understanding since the house didn’t burn down. The cobbler was even edible – or at least that’s what my husband made me believe, though in retrospect I think he just wanted to make me feel better. While writing this blog entry I asked him, “Exactly why did you stay with me after the apple cobbler debacle?” He responded, “Because it was funny and I knew you’d be a source of endless comic relief in my life.”
So there you have it – and now you know why apple cobbler is so dear to my heart.
The above story aside, my recipe for apple cobbler, which has evolved over the years, is soul-satisfyingly delicious. If you don’t believe me let the photo above serve as evidence – just learn from my romantic mistakes and put a baking sheet underneath the dish. 
Don’t forget about the monthly book giveaway! The November winners have been posted on the giveaway page. December’s books include one copy each of “Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life,” by Jamie Oliver (donated by Hyperion Books) and “The Weekend Baker: Irresistible Recipes, Simple Techniques, and Stress-Free Strategies for Busy People”, by Abigail Johnson Dodge.
My Favorite Apple Cobbler (My Recipe)
Ingredients:
- For the apples:
- 5-6 Golden Delicious apples, peeled and sliced (about 6 cups)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
For the biscuit topping:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
To make the apple filling: In a medium bowl combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Put the apple slices in a large pot, then add the sugar mix. Toss to combine. Cook over medium heat until almost tender, about 7 minutes.
To make the biscuit topping: In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the butter pieces and mix them into the flour with your hands until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs. (You can also do this with a food processor and a pastry blade.) Add the milk, then the eggs, one at a time, stirring between additions with a wooden spoon. Mix until just combined.
Transfer the cooked apples to a regular sized pie dish. Use a tablespoon to drop spoonfuls of batter onto the apples, one next to the other.
Place a cookie sheet under the pie dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cobbler topping is golden brown. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream.
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What a wonderful story , you have romance, comedy, excitement, smoke and dessert
This dessert is just what one needs after a hard days work.
oh man i am just going to bed…and now i’m hungry! this looks wonderful!
+Jessie
a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse
Jessie´s last blog post -> Rustic Cranberry Bacon Chutney with Rosemary and Port
What a great story! Those desserts that have great memories behind them are the best. =)
Sigh…too romantic.
PinkDevora´s last blog post -> How have I not heard about this until now?
I think we all have funny stories like this.
This looks great!
nik´s last blog post -> Time is precious
What a story! That cobbler looks fabulous! I love this delicious speciality!
Cheers,
Rosa
Now that’s a great story — and it sounds like you ended up with a great guy.
sprite´s last blog post -> festive, familiar, and first of the season
What a sweet story… the flame of your romance started with a real fire:-)
Cris´s last blog post -> A thank you note
Great story! Thank you for sharing!
I will admit, I don’t make pies, I only make cobblers – can’t wait to try your recipe!
Thank you and happy holidays!!!!!!
mmm.. looks yummy.
YUM!!! I love cobblers =)
I can’t wait to try this. It looks so delicious. But I’ll be sure to put that cookie sheet under the pie dish and keep an eye on it the whole time! K x
kristina´s last blog post -> puzzling
Divine – I love baking treats (and EATING treats, haha) that bring back wonderful memories.
VeggieGirl´s last blog post -> A Tantalizing Twist on a Treat, and a Teaser
hehe, what a great story!!
He fell in love with you that you were willing to risk a fire to bake him a cobbler. Great story. And this is one of my favorite desserts.
Served hot w/ vanilla ice cream is key. This is a great dessert to make in the winter- warms you all up and then you get that nibble of cold too.
Men are so understanding, aren’t they? Even more so than women at times. I bet you can’t make an apple cobbler without a smile on your face to this day.
That’s a great story!
Wow – this looks like some good cobbler!
what a sweet story.
What a great story! Warm apple cobbler with melting vanilla ice cream is the best!
Reeni´s last blog post -> Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Cookies
Love the story! The picture is so scrumptious looking, especially since one of my favortie desserts is apple anything(!) with vanilla ice cream.
I love reading your blog! Thanks!
That’s one heck of love story! Good thing your husband stuck around because I’m sure you’ve more than made up for it in the kitchen since then.
Culinarywannabe´s last blog post -> Baked Potato Soup for the Soul
OMG How funny about the story. I can almost picture you and the landlord. LOL I know it sure wasn’t funny at the time, but isn’t that how the best (and funniest) stories are? Too funny.
The recipe looks very good too. YUM!
VickiT
loved reading the story…. cobbler looks divine..
I love cobbler, and that looks divine.
Mmmmm, this looks like just the thing for this weekend, we’re expecting cold rainy weather! And the story that goes with it is wonderful!
what a wonderful story – and a delicious looking apple cobbler! Yumm…
Great story!
And the recipe comes at the best time. I knew that I was saving those apples for just the right recipe to serve to my four boys as they all arrive for Christmas gathering. They will love it. What a great aroma to walk into when they arrive at the house. Thank you. Thank you.
Oh my, what a story.
Love apple cobbler.
maggie´s last blog post -> Is it Last Minute Already?
Looks delish! Great story too. I think it’s written in Murphy’s Law somewhere that when cooking to impress someone of the opposite sex, something can and will go wrong.
So tasty! This weekend is the last for my show, and I think I’m going to celebrate with this. Delicious, but simple, so I can enjoy being free from the grind of the rehearsal schedule!
What a funny story. There’s nothing like a kitchen disaster to win a man’s heart : )
Oh, and the cobbler recipe sounds yummy. I just bought a big bag of apples yesterday.
Janel´s last blog post -> Giveaway Reminder
I love cobbler, too. Recently I’ve been less enchanted by double-crusted pies and more drawn to cobbles, crisps, etc. Not quite sure why.
Very cute story, too.
alexandra’s kitchen´s last blog post -> Cinnamon-Raisin Bread
You know, I’ve never had apple cobbler before. Guess now I have no excuses not to try it. Looks yummy and easy to make. Also? That’s a great story! Thank you for sharing your recipe and memories.
I love your fire story! I have a similar one, involving pine nuts aflame under the broiler. Luckily, my husband (he’d already married me, the sucker!) had also stepped out during the flame event. He witnessed the aftermath, however, as I tried to explain the blackened baking sheet and wet, ashy mess on our back porch when he got home! He had a good laugh over that one.
I am definitely going to try this cobbler recipe, both because my husband loves apple dishes (so he can put cheese on them) and because Women of Flame must stick together!
Looks very very good. Apples and cinnamon can make me very happy!
We always made apple crisp instead of cobbler. I never tastes it. Beautiful picture!
What a lovely story!
well like the ice cream, COLD and the cobbler HOT – but nothing lukewarm bout your loving relationship LOL! There is nothing so comforting as a GOOD apple cobbler. We live on a huge orchard, so cobblers are always welcome here.
Thank you for sharing both your wonderful recipe, nummy looking photography and the touching story behind it all!
I enjoyed my visit
what a great story. I don’t think I’ve tried apple cobbler, but want to try making it!
What a story! That’s one to write down for the history books…wait, I think you just did. Your kids will like that one.
Aww that’s actually really romantic!! And your recipe looks great!
Glad it all worked out in the end.
I think this will be my new favorite! It looks so good!
Maria´s last blog post -> Parmesan Potato Pancake with Blackened Salmon
what a funny memory! I’m sure it wasn’t funny then, but it’s a story to remember! I love any kind of cobbler, and apple is one of my favorites!
Deborah´s last blog post -> Cookbook of the Month Recipe – Spiced Chickpeas
I adore apple cobbler! I’m actually used to making the pie version but this biscuit topping sounds far too good to miss out on! I can’t wait to try it!
Great story and another great photo!
My son absolutely adores apple pie Im sure this recipe will be a great big hit!
I absolutely love apple desserts, but for some reason I haven’t made apple cobbler in years, thanks for reminding me of how good it is!
Good recipe, great story, even greater husband. He was wise enough to know a good thing when he saw it. My husband and I still laugh over a few early kitchen incidents. It’s been almost forty years, and he hasn’t regretted it yet He didn’t, however, see me as an endless source of mirth. He said, “I will never, ever be bored.” So far, so good. I keep him on his toes..
yummy! warm dessert on a cold, bitter night
yeah…i can see why this is your favorite. i try not to discriminate–if you put any apple dessert in front of me, i’ll eat it with abandon.
What a nightmare! But it had a sweet ending.
What a wonderful story. You are indeed a gifted storyteller, both with words and food. Thank you for sharing.
Cute story~ and the Apple Cobbler looks delicious!
What a freakin’ hilarious story! The cobbler looks wonderful.
Laura´s last blog post -> Espresso Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot For The Troops
Wow your picture makes me want to go try this right now. Can this also be made using other fruits, like pears or peaches?
Biscuit topping is such an extra level of comfort for this…yum!
This cobbler looks absolutely fantastic!! Yummy!
looks delish!
What a lovely cobbler! Does it tend to catch on fire, or was it just that one time? Any tips for preventing cobbler fires?
Mary Kay » No, just that one time – the apples were extra juicy. The tips I mention in the recipe are helpful for preventing the juices from bubbling over.
Aw, if that’s not a reason to marry anyone, than I don’t know what is!
I haven’t had a fire incident yet but I did have a disastrous drop with a banana creme pie that my sister and I were really proud of. As I was transferring it to the oven, it slid of the cookie rack (that we had inexplicably put it on) and fell to the floor with a loud plop. Creme, banana went everywhere.
We still ate some of it and it was so delicious. It still makes me sad thinking about that wasted pie…
MC´s last blog post -> I Always Make Time for Food
Thank you for sharing that great story. Apple cobbler is one of my favorite desserts. I’ll be trying your recipe.
Oh! What a funny and cute story! I’m a sucker for stories like that. And the cobbler picture is wonderful.
Bharti´s last blog post -> It’s Pink Pasta!!
Wow I am obsessed with cobblers… Is there anything more comforting that a bowl of hot fruit, soft sweet biscuits and cold ice cream????? I think not!
The Apple Cobbler looks so good. I’m going to have to try it.
What an adorable story! True love, for sure
I just happen to have some apples in my crisper…
Micha .:. Scraping the Skillet´s last blog post -> Cannellini & Collards Soup
That looks so good and what awesome photo.
It`s a little hot here for cobblers but it looks so great I will have to try it anyway…
Micha .:. Scraping the Skillet » It’s fate that you should make this cobbler then.
howtoeatacupcake » I agree! Few things can match that comfy combination.
MC » Ohhhh…. I hope you at least laughed about it, sometimes that’s the only thing you can do!
peabody » I agree! Biscuit topping is my favorite on cobblers.
Avanika » For sure. You can even throw a splash of peach brandy into the fruit if you go the peach route.
Denise » What a nice thing to say, thank you!
grace » Apple desserts are indeed hard to resist.
Anneta B » Sounds like you found yourself a great man too.
Barb » Haha, true! I hadn’t thought of it that way. And how lucky are you to live on an orchard?? I’m jealous.
gwarcita » LOL! I guess that’s why the French say “The flame of love is lit in the kitchen” eh? And yes, Women of Flame unite!
Pat Y » I hope you and your family enjoy the recipe! What a great treat to come home to.
Vicki Terpstra » It sure wasn’t funny at the time, but in retrospect? Definitely.
I love stories about food, and funny stories are the best. Thanks for sharing your tale. You write very well!
It looks yummy! I enjoyed reading your story.
Ari, this story is too cute. I am a sucker for real life love stories and this got my reading word to word! Love the apple cobbler recipe to. SU’d it – one more thing I must make.
PurpleFoodie´s last blog post -> Lavender Shortbread and Some Changes…
PurpleFoodie » I’m glad you enjoyed the story and thanks for the stumble!
This looks fantastic! I might actually leave my warm apartment today to get apples and make this!
…and I love a good love story! This one is perfect!
Happy Channukah!
Rachel – Happy Chanukah!! Must as I love a warm & cozy apartment in the winter, fresh apple cobbler AND a cozy apartment is hard to beat.
Oh my goodness, I just LOVE your story!! I’ve been poking around the internet for some cobbler recipes (we have a lot of Granny Smith apples — I hope those will be ok?) and I think I’m definitely going to try yours! Thank you so much for the story and recipe!
I’m really excited! I think I’m going to make it later this week (I’ll keep you posted)! 
Regina – Glad you liked it! And yes, granny smith apples should be fine. In fact, I used to use those in the recipe. I switched just because of preference, but it was still delicious with the granny smiths.
such an adorable story !!! great recipe too !!
Great story!! I love apple desserts! This one looks amazing!
I have some granny smith apples in my fridge waiting to be eaten. I think I’ll surprise my hubby with this recipe tonight.
Carrie – Lucky man!
Very cute story
You’ll be able to share it for years on end every time you enjoy the scents of cobbler in the oven, how romantic —–(@
OK, I am going to have to make this. This will get me off my duff to finally make an apple thingy with all the fresh apples at the farmer’s market available right now. I think this would make a good breakfast (wink)!
Hi again!!! OH MY GOODNESS. I just made your cobbler this afternoon with a couple little tweaks and it is, officially, the BEST cobbler I’ve ever made in my entire life!!
Thank you so much for inspiring me to make it!
I was wondering if it would be alright with you if shared my (similar) version of making this cobbler (I just switched up a couple measurements and only one or two ingredients) on my blog with a photograph and of course, at the top I’ll link to this page to show them your recipe page?
Thanks again SO MUCH! I am so excited for breakfast tomorrow!!
Regina – So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Now you know why it’s my favorite. You’re welcome to share your version on your blog so long as you note where the original recipe came from & link back to the entry. Thank you for asking! That was so considerate and thoughtful of you, I really appreciate it.
I love the story,but I’m too old for the young thing,so I’ll take a dish of pie & ice cream,please!! No,you do stir up memories,of things in my young age.Now,I cook and clean,and do like the old dog,”those new cars go to fast to run,so I’ll just lay here on the porch,and watch” !!!