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This Dutch oven apple cobbler is perfect for camping! It’s quick, easy, and tastes like a cross between a biscuit and a cookie with tender apples underneath.
This simple Dutch oven apple cobbler recipe proves that baking outdoors is fun and easy; anyone can do it! But you know what? Cross that. I think everyone should do it!
Thanks to the magic of the Dutch oven, you can easily enjoy the perfect fall dessert on your next camping trip.
It comes together in just a few minutes, and you’ll be notified the best way possible once it’s done.
Just wait for the tantalizing aroma of sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and hot, buttery cobbler to let you know that the apple cobbler in Dutch oven is ready to be devoured. 🤤
What Is Apple Cobbler?
Apple cobbler is an all-rounder dessert. Not only does it look and taste absolutely divine, but it also smells amazing!
Like its more popular cousin, the peach cobbler, apple cobbler is a rustic dessert that’s not hard to distinguish from pies and crumbles. It is called a cobbler because it looks like a cobbled stone pathway.
The cinnamon apples underneath are covered with dollops of golden brown biscuit-like crust. Compared to other baked apple desserts, the apple cobber has no bottom crust, just caramelized spiced apple slices that’ll get you in the mood for fall. 🍂
And while it’s more common to make apple cobblers at home using the oven, did you know you can also bake your apple cobbler in a Dutch oven?
Make your campsite a sweet tooth’s paradise and enjoy this Dutch oven apple cobbler alongside our s’mores charcuterie board.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect For Outdoors: Just because you’re camping outdoors doesn’t mean you’re limited to boring desserts! Follow our guide on setting up the Dutch oven, and you’ll be surprised how baking at a campsite is as easy as 1-2-3.
- Guaranteed Hit: Tender apples, rich buttery cobbler topping that’s slightly crisp on top and soft in the middle… what else can you ask for? This apple cobbler in Dutch oven will surely become a must-have on all your camping trips.
- Captures Fall’s Flavors: This apple cobbler Dutch oven recipe perfectly captures the flavors and aromas of the warm, cozy season. The rustic dessert is not sickly sweet, so it can readily welcome different spices, add-ins, and toppings.
What Does Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler Taste Like?
This Dutch oven apple cobbler tastes like autumn in every spoonful! Imagine sweet cinnamon apples tucked under a buttery cobbler that’s like a cross between a biscuit and a cookie.
Just the smell of this dessert alone is enough to let you know it’s officially fall and it’s time to cozy up with a sweet apple treat.
Making apple cobbler in a Dutch oven is not only an advantage to people who love the outdoors. Since the cobbler is baked in a Dutch oven that retains heat efficiently, it’ll be easy to achieve the stuff your sweet dreams are made of.
The spiced sweet apples are perfectly tender, complementing the biscuit-like cobbler topping. I describe it as biscuit-like because it’s a delicious contrast between a soft, fluffy interior and a lightly crisp golden brown crust.
Is your mouth watering yet? 🤤
Is This Apple Cobbler Dutch Oven Recipe Healthy?
You can expect that this sweet and buttery apple cobbler in Dutch oven is not exactly the healthiest dessert.
However, aren’t desserts meant to be indulgent? I want to argue that as long as we’re mindful of our portions and practice healthy habits (proper exercise and diet), we can have moments to appreciate delectable desserts like this apple cobbler in all its glory.
And since this is a campfire dessert, I’m sure you’ll want something scrumptious and rewarding after the hike. 😅
But if you’re looking for guilt-free desserts, I have a few ideas you can easily whip up at home. Try our banana chia seed pudding or fill up with protein donuts.
What Are The Benefits Of Making Apple Cobbler In A Dutch Oven?
Dutch oven apple cobbler proves that there’s still room for baking in your outdoorsy lifestyle. You’ll only need to prepare the coals, set up the cobbler in the Dutch oven, and wait for the warm, sweet scent to tell you it’s done.
It’s such an easy and fun recipe that I bet you’ll always include it in your campfire desserts.
Use your abundance of apples this fall and bake something sweet, warm, and cozy. Go beyond apple pies and experience a marriage of textures and flavors with this simple apple cobbler Dutch oven recipe. 🍎
Ingredients For Apple Cobbler In Dutch Oven
Apple filling:
- Apples – Feel free to use whatever apples you have, but the best cobblers tend to come from sweet-tart apples.
- Granulated sugar – We’ll toss the apple slices in sugar and cinnamon, so to keep things easy to clean, don’t forget to line your Dutch oven with parchment paper!
- Ground cinnamon – It’s not a fall dessert without this aromatic spice.
Cobbler topping:
- All-purpose flour – The main ingredient of our cobbler topping.
- Baking powder – The secret to perfectly tender cobbler topping.
- Granulated sugar – To sweeten our buttery biscuit-like topping.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness of the cobbler batter.
- Ground cinnamon – Yup, we’ll also include this warm spice in the topping itself!
- Butter – To get the perfect cobbler consistency, don’t forget to pre-freeze your unsalted butter before mixing it with the cobbler topping.
- Milk – Makes our Dutch oven apple cobbler extra decadent.
- Vanilla ice cream – Feel free to top your warm apple cobbler with anything you like, but you can’t go wrong with vanilla ice cream. 😋
Tools Needed To Prepare Apple Cobbler In Dutch Oven
- 10-inch Dutch oven for baking the apple cobbler
- Parchment Dutch oven liners for lining the Dutch oven
- Coal briquettes for cooking the cobbler
- Long-handled tongs for handling the coals
- Lighter for preparing the hot charcoal briquettes
- Chimney starter for heating the coals
- Knife for slicing the ingredients
- Mixing bowls for making the apple cobbler batter
- Lid lifter for handling the Dutch oven lid
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler
Ground nutmeg
Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg will always have a place in apple desserts. It’s also a welcomed bonus to have your campsite smell like Christmas!
Vanilla extract
I just feel that any sweet baked good is incomplete without vanilla extract. It instantly adds depth to the dessert without overpowering the delightful apple flavor.
Walnuts
Another fall classic you can include in this apple cobbler in Dutch oven recipe is walnuts! The soft but slightly crisp golden brown cobbler studded with walnuts will have you reaching for seconds.🤤
How To Make Apple Cobbler In A Dutch Oven?
Ingredients:
For the apple filling:
For the cobbler topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, pre-frozen
- 1/3 cup milk
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Tools you need:
- 10-inch Dutch oven
- Parchment Dutch oven liners
- Coal briquettes
- Long-handled tongs
- Lighter
- Chimney starter
- Knife
- Mixing bowls
- Lid lifter
Instructions:
STEP 1: Gather the ingredients for your Dutch oven apple cobbler. Line the Dutch oven with parchment paper for easier clean-up.
STEP 2: Pre-heat the coals. They should be ready when they’re white.
STEP 3: Place the apple slices in the Dutch oven and dust them with granulated sugar and cinnamon. Mix to ensure the slices are evenly coated, then arrange them so they’ll be flat and level in the bottom of the Dutch oven.
STEP 4: Combine flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon for the cobbler topping.
STEP 5: Slice the frozen butter into cubes, then work them into the flour mixture with your fingers.
STEP 6: Once you have a coarse mixture, add the milk gradually and combine to form the cobbler dough.
STEP 7: Distribute pieces of the cobbler topping over the apples. Remember that this is a cobbler, so we’re topping the apples with dollops of dough.
STEP 8: Cover the Dutch oven with its lid, then place it on a ring of coals. Then, top the lid with coals to achieve 350°F.
STEP 9: Bake the apple cobbler for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
What To Serve With Apple Cobbler
Serve the warm, freshly baked apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream, and enjoy the contrast between the cold, creamy ice cream and soft, buttery cobbler with tender, spiced apples.
Some people also have their Dutch oven apple cobbler with other toppings like caramel sauce, candied almonds, heavy cream, and even Greek yogurt!
But since you’re already making an outdoor dessert, you might want other perfectly portable recipes for your adventures.
To pair with our sweet cobbler, check out these savory, utensil-free delights:
- Big Mac Tacos – A delicious cross between Big Mac and tacos!
- Air Fryer Hand Pies – This is Sloppy Joe without the sloppiness.
Tips About Making This Apple Cobbler Dutch Oven Recipe
- To know how many charcoals you’ll need, double the diameter of the Dutch oven, then add one. Once you have the number, use 1/3 of the coals on the bottom and 2/3 on the top. So, for a 10-inch Dutch oven, you’ll use 21 charcoals, where 7 are underneath and 14 are on top.
- Baking apple cobbler in the Dutch oven can take 20 to 40 minutes. But to ensure it cooks evenly, rotate the lid and body of the Dutch oven in opposite directions at 90 degrees every 15 minutes.
- Make this delicious apple cobbler dessert even when you’re indoors! Just bake the covered baking dish for 30 minutes in the oven preheated to 375°F. Then, uncover and bake again for 10 minutes to achieve the mouthwatering brown finish on the crust.
How To Store Apple Cobbler
While Dutch oven apple cobbler is best enjoyed warm, you can still savor your leftovers for later. Here’s how to store them:
- Fridge: When refrigerated in an airtight container, your apple cobbler should last up to a week.
- Freezer: It’s possible to freeze apple cobbler. Use a freezer-safe container and consume the dessert within 2 months.
- Reheating: Revive your apple cobbler before serving by microwaving it for about 45 seconds before serving. If frozen, I suggest thawing it overnight before reheating.
Does Apple Cobbler Need To Be Refrigerated?
Since apple cobbler is best enjoyed warm, you don’t need to refrigerate it before serving. I also remembered USDA’s storage recommendations that mentioned fruit pies can last up to 2 days at room temperature!
What Is the Difference Between Apple Cobbler and Apple Crisp?
Often confused with one another, apple cobblers and apple crisps (also known as apple crumbles) are not the same. The main difference? The apple cobbler, as with any cobbler, has no bottom crust.
Instead, only the fruits are underneath the biscuit dough.
As for the apple crisp, well, from the name itself, you can already expect its texture. This is because it has a streusel topping compared to the cobbler’s softer, biscuit-like topping.
Do You Have to Peel Apples for Apple Cobbler?
Nope. You don’t need to peel apples for apple cobbler. This is fantastic news if you’re like me, who hates peeling fruits. 😂
But of course, you’ll still core and slice the apples.
Oh, if you have too many apples, I have another delicious recipe you can try. Make caramel apple pancakes and have an excuse to enjoy a breakfast that tastes like a dessert.
FAQ About Cobblers
Is a cobbler the same as a dumpling?
Yes, so don’t be surprised if you ever see or hear the term dumpling cobblers. These “dumplings” are essentially strips of pie crust that you’ll drop into the cobbler’s fruit filling. Since there are many dumpling cobbler recipe variations, you might also find dumpling cobblers with 3 layers of crust!
What is another name for apple cobbler?
Did you know that apple cobblers come in different quirky names all over the US? To name a few, apple cobbler is also called Apple Betty, apple slump dessert, apple pan dowdy, apple sonker, and apple dump cake.
Why is my cobbler soggy?
Is your cobbler runny? The fruits you’ve used might be too ripe! You also want to let your cobbler sit for a bit before serving so it’ll have some time to thicken up.
Does fruit go on top or bottom of cobbler?
Cobblers usually have their fruit filling on the bottom. Otherwise, if the fruit filling is fully encased, that’s not a cobbler; that’s a pie!
What thickens cobbler?
Fix your runny cobbler filling by thickening it with cornstarch. Use a 1:1 cornstarch-water ratio to absorb the excess liquid in the fruit filling.
Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler
This Dutch oven apple cobbler is perfect for camping! It's quick, easy, and tastes like a cross between a biscuit and a cookie with tender apples underneath.
Ingredients
For the apple filling:
For the cobbler topping:
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients for your Dutch oven apple cobbler. Line the Dutch oven with parchment paper for easier clean-up.
- Pre-heat the coals. They should be ready when they're white.
- Place the apple slices in the Dutch oven and dust them with granulated sugar and cinnamon. Mix to ensure the slices are evenly coated, then arrange them so they'll be flat and level in the bottom of the Dutch oven.
- Combine flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon for the cobbler topping.
- Slice the frozen butter into cubes, then work them into the flour mixture with your fingers.
- Once you have a coarse mixture, add the milk gradually and combine to form the cobbler dough.
- Distribute pieces of the cobbler topping over the apples. Remember that this is a cobbler, so we're topping the apples with dollops of dough.
- Cover the Dutch oven with its lid, then place it on a ring of coals. Then, top the lid with coals to achieve 350°F.
- Bake the apple cobbler for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
Notes
- The temperature we're aiming for baking in the Dutch oven is 350°F. If using a 10-inch Dutch oven, you'll need around 21 coal briquettes to reach this. Use 7 underneath and 14 on top.
- The baking time for Dutch oven apple cobbler ranges from 20 to 40 minutes. It's ready when the cobbler is golden brown or when you can smell its sweet scent. To ensure even cooking, you can also rotate the lid and body of the Dutch oven in opposite directions at 90 degrees every 15 minutes.
- This apple cobbler recipe is not just for camping! Make it at home in the oven preheated to 375°F. Bake the covered baking dish for 30 minutes, uncover, then bake again for about 10 minutes to get that mouthwatering golden brown finish on the cobbler topping.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1755Total Fat: 188gSaturated Fat: 119gTrans Fat: 7gUnsaturated Fat: 56gCholesterol: 503mgSodium: 1487mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 3gSugar: 19gProtein: 3g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
Going camping? Make this Dutch oven apple cobbler for a cozy start to fall!
Who knew baking outdoors could be so fun and simple? Just prepare the coals for your Dutch oven, and don’t forget to line it first before arranging the apple cobbler inside.
Your cobbler is ready once you smell its warm, sweet scent.
Overall, this easy recipe is your sign to go beyond the usual pies and tarts. You have no reason not to bake this cobbler because it’s outdoor-friendly!
For more delicious cobbler and apple recipes, check these desserts for year-round sweet bliss: