Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler

Featured in: Comfort Food Favorites

Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler features tender, caramel-coated apples tucked beneath a buttery, warmly spiced gingerbread crust. Sliced Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are tossed with sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a generous swirl of caramel, then topped by a gingerbread batter rich with molasses, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon. After baking, the result is bubbling fruit beneath a cake-like, aromatic layer, perfect served warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Ideal for fall and winter, this comforting dessert combines classic holiday flavors with gooey caramel and notes of spice for a crowd-pleasing finish at gatherings.

Updated on Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:01:00 GMT
Warm Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream, inviting autumn flavors. Save It
Warm Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream, inviting autumn flavors. | zetluna.com

A cozy dessert featuring spiced gingerbread topping, tender caramel-coated apples, and a hint of warmth that’s perfect for fall or winter gatherings.

This Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler instantly became a cold-weather favorite when I first made it for a family dinner. The spiced aroma filled our kitchen and everyone went back for seconds.

Ingredients

  • Apple Filling: 6 large apples (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced. 1/2 cup granulated sugar. 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed. 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. 1 tsp ground cinnamon. 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg. 1/4 tsp salt. 3/4 cup jarred or homemade caramel sauce. 2 tbsp lemon juice. 2 tbsp unsalted butter, diced.
  • Gingerbread Topping: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour. 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed. 1 tsp baking powder. 1/4 tsp baking soda. 1/2 tsp salt. 1 tsp ground ginger. 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon. 1/4 tsp ground cloves. 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg. 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled. 1/3 cup molasses. 1/2 cup whole milk. 1 large egg.

Instructions

Prepare Baking Dish:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
Make the Apple Filling:
In a large bowl, toss apple slices with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add caramel sauce and lemon juice, mix well to coat. Transfer apple mixture to the prepared baking dish and dot with diced butter.
Prepare Gingerbread Topping:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, molasses, milk, and egg until smooth. Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients, stir until just combined (do not overmix).
Assemble Cobbler:
Drop spoonfuls of gingerbread batter evenly over the apples. Gently spread to cover as much as possible, it’s fine if a few gaps remain.
Bake:
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is firm and a skewer inserted into the gingerbread comes out clean and the apples are bubbling.
Cool and Serve:
Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
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| zetluna.com

Serving this cobbler after a hearty dinner always brings my family together. No one can resist digging in while it’s still warm from the oven.

Required Tools

9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula or spoon, peeler and corer, knife

Notes

Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the apple filling for extra depth, use salted caramel for a bolder flavor, and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 380 calories, 10 g total fat, 71 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein

Deliciously spiced Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler emerging golden from the oven, perfect for gatherings. Save It
Deliciously spiced Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler emerging golden from the oven, perfect for gatherings. | zetluna.com

This comforting cobbler will be the highlight of your fall table. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream for an unforgettable dessert.

Common Questions About Recipes

What apples work best in this dessert?

Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples are preferred for their firm texture and balance of tartness and sweetness.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes, both jarred and homemade caramel work. Check for allergens if using store-bought options.

Is the gingerbread topping cake-like or crumbly?

It's soft and cake-like after baking, thanks to the milk, egg, and molasses in the batter.

How should leftovers be stored?

Keep tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving to best enjoy flavors.

What pairs well when serving?

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream complement the warm spices and caramel flavors perfectly.

Can nuts be added to the filling?

Yes, adding chopped pecans or walnuts provides extra texture and flavor depth.

Gingerbread Caramel Apple Cobbler

Spiced gingerbread covers caramel apples for a warm, comforting treat, delicious with ice cream.

Prep Time
25 mins
Time to Cook
40 mins
Overall Time
65 mins
Authored by Clara


Skill Level Required Medium

Cuisine Type American

Recipe Output 8 Number of Portions

Dietary Needs Veggie-Friendly

The Ingredients You'll Need

Apple Filling

01 6 large apples, preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, peeled, cored, and sliced
02 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
04 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
05 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 3/4 cup caramel sauce, jarred or homemade
09 2 tablespoons lemon juice
10 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced

Gingerbread Topping

01 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
05 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 1 teaspoon ground ginger
07 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
09 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
11 1/3 cup molasses
12 1/2 cup whole milk
13 1 large egg

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 01

Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish thoroughly.

Step 02

Prepare Apple Filling: Combine apple slices in a large mixing bowl with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add caramel sauce and lemon juice, mixing until the apples are evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish and distribute the diced butter over the top.

Step 03

Mix Dry Ingredients for Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for the gingerbread topping.

Step 04

Combine Wet Ingredients for Topping: In a separate bowl, blend melted butter, molasses, milk, and egg until homogenous.

Step 05

Form Gingerbread Batter: Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and gently stir just until incorporated; avoid overmixing.

Step 06

Assemble Cobbler: Drop spoonfuls of gingerbread batter evenly over the apple filling and carefully spread to cover as much of the surface as possible, allowing some gaps for steam to escape.

Step 07

Bake: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the gingerbread topping is set, a skewer inserted into the topping emerges clean, and the apples are bubbling underneath.

Step 08

Cool and Serve: Allow the dish to cool for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm, ideally accompanied by vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula or spoon
  • Peeler and corer
  • Knife

Allergy Information

Review each ingredient to identify allergens and consult an expert if needed.
  • Contains milk, eggs, wheat (gluten), and butter (dairy).
  • Verify caramel sauce for potential allergens such as dairy or nuts if store-bought.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Keep in mind these details are for general guidance and shouldn't replace professional advice.
  • Caloric Content: 380
  • Fats: 10 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 71 grams
  • Proteins: 3 grams