This Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler marries tart apples, crunchy pecans, and a buttery oat topping with a drizzle of gooey caramel—an irresistible fall treat you’ll crave all season.
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler
- Uses pantry staples for a simple dessert recipe.
- Bursting with warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors.
- Crunchy pecan cobbler topping balances tender fruit.
- Drizzled with caramel for that sweet treat fix.
- Perfect for cozy family gatherings or festive potlucks.
- Easily scales up or down—great for small or large crowds.
- Can be prepped ahead and baked when guests arrive.
- Vegan and gluten-free substitutions keep everyone happy.
Ingredients for Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler
- 6 cups Granny Smith apples (about 6 medium, peeled, cored, and sliced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (prevents browning)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (whole wheat pastry flour works)
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats (for a crunchy topping)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (topping)
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar (topping)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (topping)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ cup chopped pecans (toasted optional)
- ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade*)
Directions for Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler
- Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish so nothing sticks. - Toss the Apples
In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice. In another bowl, whisk together ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cornstarch—then stir into apples until evenly coated. - Mix the Pecan Cobbler Topping
In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, ½ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Drizzle melted butter over the mix, stirring until you have coarse crumbs, then fold in chopped pecans for that signature crunch. - Assemble the Cobbler
Evenly sprinkle the pecan-oat topping over the apple filling, leaving a few gaps so steam can escape and the fruit can bubble up beautifully. - Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and the filling bubbles at the edges. If the pecans brown too fast, tent the dish loosely with foil after 25 minutes. - Finish with Caramel
Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Drizzle warm caramel sauce over each portion—this step turns a classic pecan cobbler into the ultimate caramel apple dessert recipe.
Servings & Timing
Makes 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour (including a short rest)
Variations on Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler
- Swap half the apples for ripe pears for a pear-apple hybrid twist.
- Use gluten-free flour and oats to make it celiac-friendly.
- Replace butter with coconut oil and brown sugar with coconut sugar for vegan appeal.
- Stir in ½ teaspoon ground ginger for extra fall spice warmth.
- Top with chopped walnuts or pecans-pecan mix for more nutty flair.
- Sprinkle in ¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut for a tropical crunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze portions (un-topped) in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until warm, or zap a single serving in the microwave for 45 seconds and add a fresh drizzle of caramel.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this cobbler ahead of time?
A: Absolutely—assemble in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours; bake straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes.
Q: What’s the best apple variety?
A: Granny Smith and Honeycrisp offer the perfect tart-sweet balance and hold their shape beautifully.
Q: Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned?
A: Yes, but the topping will be softer—old-fashioned oats deliver the best crunch.
Q: How do I prevent a soggy topping?
A: Mix apples thoroughly in the cornstarch blend and bake without covering so excess moisture can evaporate.
Q: Is there a sugar-free option?
A: Swap sugars for granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, but watch browning carefully under the broiler.
Q: Why did my filling stay runny?
A: Ensure you use at least 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and bake until you see bubbling around the edges.
Q: Can I skip the caramel sauce?
A: Sure—serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream; it’s still a knockout dessert recipe.
Q: What should I serve this with?
A: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream complements it perfectly.
Conclusion
This Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler is the fall treat of your dreams: sweet, gooey, and laced with warming spices. Give it a spin for your next gathering and watch friends ask for seconds! Drop a comment below to share your tweaks, and don’t miss my Homemade Caramel Sauce tutorial for an all-in-one sweet treat.
Caramel Apple Pecan Cobbler
Ingredients
- 6 cups Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, sliced) about 6 medium
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice prevents browning
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg freshly grated if possible
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch for thickening
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (can substitute whole wheat pastry flour)
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats for crunchy topping
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar for topping
- 1/3 cup brown sugar packed, for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt for topping
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted, cooled
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans toasting optional
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with lemon juice. In a separate bowl, whisk sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cornstarch, then coat apples evenly and transfer to the dish.
- Combine flour, oats, sugars, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; stir in melted butter until you have a crumbly mixture, then fold in pecans.
- Sprinkle the pecan-oat topping evenly over the apple filling, leaving a few gaps for steam to escape.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling; tent with foil if the topping darkens too quickly.
- Let cool 10 minutes, then drizzle caramel sauce over the warm cobbler and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
