Cracker Barrel Southern Apple Cobbler

The combination of warm, lightly spiced apples topped with squares of flaky pastry and a drizzle of caramel sauce makes Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler an undeniably delicious dessert.

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What makes Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler so good? 

This Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler recipe reimagines your favorite apple pie as a lighter and more rustic treat that is still totally satisfying. The soft, sweet, and tart apples contrast wonderfully with the crispy pastry squares and gooey caramel sauce.

Made with basic ingredients you probably already have on hand, you can whip up Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler whenever you are in the mood for something fresh and comforting. 

Why you’ll love this recipe

Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler is a dish that is good enough for any celebration but easy enough to make for a weekday family meal. This recipe is perfect for those who are trying to cut their calories since you can enjoy the spiced apples without the caramel sauce and add fewer pastry squares.

Check out the Recipe variations section below for ways to tweak the cobbler, 

Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler ingredients 

For the pastry squares, you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour 
• White sugar
• Unsalted butter, cold 
• Salt 
• Water 
• Whole milk 

For the spiced apples, you’ll need:

• Unsalted butter
• Golden Delicious apples
• Lemon juice
• Brown sugar
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

If you don’t have Golden Delicious apples, you can use your favorite baking apples.

For garnish, you’ll need:

How to make Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler

To cook the apples: 

1. Scrub the apples well and core them. Don’t peel the apples.
2. Slice the apples into 3/8 inch wedges and set aside.
3. Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over low heat.
4. Spread the apple slices evenly on the bottom of the skillet. 
5. Sprinkle the lemon juice, brown sugar, and salt over the top of the apples.
6. Cover and cook the apples for about 15 minutes, until fork tender.
7. Gently stir in the ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Taste the apples, adding more sugar, lemon juice, or spices to the apple mixture as necessary. 

To make the pastry squares:

1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, unsalted butter, one tablespoon of white sugar, and salt. Pulse until the dough resembles coarse bread crumbles. 
2. Add four tablespoons of water and pulse until the dough forms a ball. 
3. Place the dough on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 15 minutes. 

4. While waiting for the dough to chill, preheat the oven to 350°F. 
5. Roll the dough into a rectangle the size of a baking tray.
6. Transfer the dough rectangle onto a lightly greased baking tray. 
7. Brush the dough with milk and sprinkle with a tablespoon of white sugar over the top. 
8. Cut the dough into 2 x 2-inch squares. 
9. Bake until the pastry is lightly brown, 10 to 15 minutes. 

To assemble the apple cobbler:

1. Spoon the spiced apples into a serving bowl. 
2. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples and top with a few pastry squares. 

Recipe variations 

The standard version of this apple cobbler is great, but if you want to get a bit creative, try experimenting with the following changes:

• Swap the apples. Replace the Golden Delicious apples with Granny Smith apples for additional tartness or Braeburns for their fresh apple taste and slight pear-like flavor that adds depth to the cobbler.  
• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or while vanilla is a classic, salted caramel or butter pecan would also be perfect choices.  
• Add a splash of bourbon. You only need a little to impart the spirit’s flavor.
• Make a double batch of the apples. The Cracker Barrel Fried apples are a wonderful side dish or can be used as apple pie filling or over pancakes and waffles. 

What to serve with apple cobbler

This Cracker Barrel Apple Cobbler recipe goes well with just about any meal, but it really shines when paired with Southern-style entrees like:

Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy. This hearty dish of battered and fried steak covered in creamy white gravy is comforting and filling. Serve with a side of green beans and mashed potatoes for a classic Southern meal. 

Mustard Pork Chop. Quick, easy, and inexpensive, Mustard Pork Chops make a great weekday meal. Since you prepare the dish in the oven, you can make enough for the whole family while spending time with your family instead of babysitting dinner. 

Fried Chicken. A great piece of fried chicken is tough to come by, but this copycat Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken recipe is probably as close as you can come to perfection. The light and crispy seasoned breading will make you forget about your favorite chicken restaurant. 

How to store leftovers

Cool the apples and place them in an airtight container in the fridge. Store the pastry squares separately in an airtight container on the counter. Gently heat the apples in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a bit of butter. Assemble the cobbler and serve warm.

How long does it last?

The cooked apples and pastry squares should keep up to three days. 

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Cracker Barrel Southern Apple Cobbler

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