This Crockpot Apple Cobbler is the coziest Fall dessert. Tart Granny Smith apples are slow cooked into an ooey-gooey, caramel-y filling and finished off with a fluffy, yet slightly crisp topping.
Apple cobbler made in the slow cooker? That’s a heck YES for me. This crockpot apple cobbler has everything you love about apple cobbler — the gooey filling, the fluffy topping — but it’s made in the crockpot.
I love making desserts in the crockpot for 2 reasons:
- It frees up oven space. Think: Thanksgiving. There’s no room for dessert in the oven, but no way is it being skipped!
- It keeps the oven off. Think: hot summer day. Sometimes it’s just too darn hot to turn the oven on, but that sweet tooth is still raging!
Whatever the reason, this crockpot apple cobbler is sure to please.
PSST – No slow cooker? No problem! Check out my baked apple cobbler instead.
What is the difference between apple cobbler and apple crisp?
Although cobbler and crisp are both fruit-based desserts and often have similar fillings, they do have one key difference: the topping!
A crisp topping is lighter and is usually made up of oats and nuts. A cobbler topping has a thicker, doughier, biscuit-like texture.
Looking for crisp? Try my apple crisp recipe instead!
Ingredients
There are two main components to today’s cobbler: the topping and the filling. Both use every day pantry staples that I’m sure you have on hand already.
Cobbler Topping
- Unsalted Butter – adds moisture and a rich, buttery flavor.
- Brown Sugar – makes the topping perfectly sweet and moist!
- Vanilla Extract – gives a touch of extra sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour – provides structure for the topping and creates that cookie dough-like texture.
- Baking Powder – lightens the cobbler topping and helps it get just a little crispy.
- Cinnamon – gives a bit of warm spiciness.
- Salt – enhances other flavors in the topping.
Cobbler Filling
- Granny Smith Apples – the tart flavor of the granny smith apples works perfectly with the sweeter ingredients in this recipe.
- Brown Sugar – adds sweetness and creates that ultra gooey texture.
- Cornstarch – helps thicken the filling.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg – gives the filling those classic warm and sweet flavors.
- Salt – cuts the sweetness and brings out flavors.
- Vanilla Extract – provides flavor depth.
- Old Fashioned Caramel Dip – you can leave this out if you like but I love the flavor it adds.
- Chopped Pecans – gives delicious crunchy texture which is a nice contrast to the soft, gooey filling.
- Turbinado Sugar – for topping, if desired. This adds a nice crispy bite and additional sweetness.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – for serving!
How to make
Crockpot desserts really are the way to go because the prep is SO EASY! 15 minutes to prep your ingredients, toss them in the crockpot, then sit back and relax while your dessert cooks!
Cobbler Topping
- Place melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl then mix until well combined.
Cobbler Filling
- In a large bowl, toss apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla together until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a greased crockpot, then dollop on caramel dip and sprinkle with chopped pecans, crumble topping, and Turbinado sugar.
- Cover the crockpot with a thin dish towel, top with the lid, cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-6 hours, then serve and enjoy!
Do you need to peel the apples?
I recommending peeling the apples to achieve the best texture. The peel on apples can take on an unpleasant chewy texture when cooked, especially in the slow cooker. To achieve that gooey, soft filling, quickly take the peel off by using a vegetable peeler!
If the texture of apple peels don’t bother you, then feel free to leave them on.
Can you use canned apple?
Yes. Use 2 (20 oz) cans apple pie filling to replace the cobbler filling ingredients. (*not tested). I would, however, recommending keeping the caramel, pecans, and turbinado sugar as listed in the original recipe.
Can you use other fruit?
Absolutely! Cobbler can be made using many different types of fruit. Try blackberry cobbler, peach cobbler, cherry cobbler, blueberry cobbler, plum cobbler, etc.
Can you bake crockpot apple cobbler?
You sure can! If you’re short on time or don’t have a crockpot, check out my oven-baked apple cobbler instead!
How to store
Store leftover apple cobbler in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months.
To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then bake or microwave to warm.
– Jennifer
Crockpot Apple Cobbler
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
Cobbler Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¾ cups packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour spoon and leveled
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cobbler Filling
- 8 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples (1/4 inch thick) - approximately 4 large apples
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup old fashioned caramel dip
- ½ cup roughly chopped pecans
- ¼ cup turbinado sugar for sprinkling
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Recipe Video
Instructions
Cobbler Topping
- Place melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into a large bowl.
- Mix until well combined. Set aside.
Cobbler Filling
- Grease a 6 quart crockpot with cooking spray, then set aside.
- In a large bowl, gently toss apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract together until well combined.
- Pour into prepared crockpot.
- Dollop on caramel dip, then sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Crumble on topping, then sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Cover crockpot with a thin dish towel (be sure it’s not touching the cobbler).
- Place on lid then cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours, or until the apples are tender.
- Scoop and serve with vanilla ice cream!
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.