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–+ servings
A baked apple cobbler with a golden-brown biscuit topping in a glass pie dish, surrounded by green apples and a checked kitchen towel on a marble surface.
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Apple Pan Dowdy

Apple Pan Dowdy is a cozy, old-fashioned dessert with warm spiced apples baked under a soft, golden cake topping. It's been around since colonial New England, way before apple pie, and it's a whole lot easier to make. If you love the flavors of apple pie but want something simpler, this recipe is about to become your new favorite.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Author Heidi Bruaw

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Apples thinly sliced
  • ¼ Cup Brown Sugar packed
  • ¼ Teaspoon Nutmeg
  • ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ Cup Butter softened
  • ½ Cup Sugar
  • 1 Egg well beaten
  • 1½ Cups Flour sifted
  • 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Cup Milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • Grease the pie dish.
  • Place the sliced apples in the greased baking dish. Spread them out as evenly as possible.
  • Combine the brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Sprinkle the mixture over the apples.
  • Bake at 350℉ for 10 minutes or until the apples are soft.
  • Use a mixer to cream the butter.
  • While mixing, gradually add the sugar.
  • Add the well-beaten egg to the mixture and combine.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
  • Alternate between adding the flour mixture and the milk a little at a time to the butter mixture until combined.
  • Drop the batter by the spoonful over the baked apples.
  • Bake at 350℉ for 25-30 minutes, or until slightly browned. Check for doneness with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean when inserted, the apple pan dowdy is done.
  • Serve from the baking dish or turn out with apples on top.

Notes

Helpful Tips
  • Sift the flour. It is important to sift the flour. If you don’t have a flour sifter, use a whisk to sift.
  • Don't skip the pre-bake. Baking the apples for 10 minutes before adding the batter softens them just enough so they're tender by the time the topping is done.
  • Cream the butter and sugar well. This step adds air to the batter, which helps it bake up light instead of dense.
  • Pour the batter gently. Spread it evenly over the apples with a spatula so it covers the fruit completely and bakes into an even topping.
  • Check for doneness with a toothpick. Insert it into the batter portion. It should come out clean, and the top should be light golden brown.
  • Let it rest before serving. Give it 10-15 minutes out of the oven so the apple layer sets up and doesn't run when you scoop it.