Sourdough Discard Apple Cobbler Recipe

This easy to prepare sourdough apple cobbler features a sweet, cinnamon flavored apple filling topped with a golden sourdough cake. It takes so little time to prepare, yet yields a dessert the whole family with love (especially when topped with vanilla ice cream). It really is the simplest sourdough cobbler!

If you love sourdough desserts then make sure you check out this sourdough apple pie, sourdough apple crisp, sourdough apple cake and sourdough apple and cinnamon muffins.

Sourdough Discard or Sourdough Starter?

Like most sourdough discard recipes, it doesn't matter whether you use sourdough discard or sourdough starter. This is because sourdough discard recipes don't generally use sourdough discard or starter as the main leavening agent.

In this case, the sourdough discard adds a depth of flavor to the cake topping of the cobbler. The leavening for the cake is provided by the baking powder.

You can read more about the difference between sourdough starter and sourdough discard here.

Let's Talk About Cobbler Toppings

There are lots of different types of cobblers around these days. I think that they type of cobbler you know really depends on what part of the world you come from.

I don't think that there's a cobbler topping that's necessarily better than the other. Some are spongy and cake like, just like this apple recipe and this chocolate sourdough cobbler. Others have a more crisp, biscuit topping like this sourdough berry cobbler.

When I was testing ideas for making a sourdough apple cobbler, I tried a few different toppings but found that this golden sponge cake topping worked best with the cinnamon spiced apples.

How To Make Sourdough Apple Cobbler

You're going to love how fast this sourdough apple cobbler is to prepare. Probably the most time consuming part is peeling the apples! The rest comes together in mere minutes.

Let's get started on preparing this sourdough apple cobbler recipe!

Prepare the Apple Filling

Preheat your oven to 200C (390F).

Peel, core and slice all of the apples and place them in a medium sized baking dish. I've used a 2Q or 1.9L.

On top of the sliced apples, add the brown sugar, white sugar, all purpose flour, lemon juice and ground cinnamon. Use your hands or a spoon to mix all of this through the apples so that they are well coated. Set this aside while you prepare the topping.

I find it so easy to do this in the baking dish - it creates less dishes to wash later! But you can mix the apples separately if you prefer.

Sourdough Cobbler Topping

In a small mixing bowl, add the all purpose flour, sourdough starter (or discard), salt, sugar, baking powder, milk and melted butter. Stir until it forms a light and airy batter.

Spoon or pour the sourdough cobbler topping onto the apple and spread so it mostly covers them. It's ok to have some of the apples peaking through.

Sprinkle the batter with granulated sugar.

Place the sourdough apple cobbler into the oven and bake at 200C (390F) for around 35 to 40 minutes. You'll know it's done when the topping is golden brown and you can see the apple filling bubbling away underneath.

Remove from the oven and allow the sourdough cobbler to sit for around 10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken before serving.

I love serving this sourdough apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream but it works well with cold whipped cream too.

Tips for Success

This really is an easy apple cobbler recipe, but it's always good to have some little tips and tricks to set you up for sourdough success! So here are my best tips to ensure this recipe works first time, every time!

• Baking Dish - I've used a 2Q or 1.9L baking dish because when I tried this recipe in a much larger dish, the apple filling wasn't thick enough and the cake batter topping was too thin. I highly recommend using a 2Q dish for the best results. If you want to use a larger dish, then double the recipe for the best results. This recipe also works in a cast iron pan or skillet, just make sure it's not too big.
  
• Peel the Apples - I know peeling apples is a pain (it's one of my least favorite jobs) but it really does make a difference to the final result. You can even use an apple slinky machine to peel and core the apples and make life easier!
  
• Allow it to Sit - Once the sourdough apple cobbler is baked and golden, allow it to sit for around 10 minutes before serving. This ensures that the apple filling thickens a little and isn't boiling hot when you serve it.

What Apples Are Best?

In developing this recipe, I tested lots of different apples, however I prefer using granny smith apples. I find that their tartness works best with the cinnamon and sugar in the filling. They also hold their shape better than some other softer apples. 

Of course, if you don't have granny smith apples, any type of red apple is fine too! I just prefer using the green variety.

Different Flavors to Add To Sourdough Apple Cobbler

This sourdough apple cobbler is absolute perfection just as it is ... but if you're like me and love playing around with different flavor combinations, then you might like to try some of these ideas to jazz up your cobler.

• Maple Pecan Crunch - Add 100g of pecans and 50g of raisins to the apple filling for some extra crunch and sweetness. I love adding a drizzle of maple syrup as well! You can also add some chopped pecans to the topping for an extra crunch too!
  
• Juicy Peach & Apple - Swap half the apples for juicy peaches for a peach twist to this sourdough apple cobbler. Top with cinnamon sugar.
  
• Apple Berry Sourdough Cobbler - I mostly make this sourdough apple cobbler in fall when apples are in season and summer berries aren't. But a few handfuls of frozen blueberries or raspberries add a delicious tartness to this dessert. Fresh blueberries and raspberries work too of course. I love sprinkling coconut sugar on this version before baking.

How To Freeze + Store

Once baked, leftovers of this sourdough apple cobbler can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. I just cover the baking dish in aluminum foil and store in the fridge. It can be reheated in the microwave or oven.

I don't recommend freezing this recipe. The apples don't tend to defrost well. If you're looking for a sourdough cobbler recipe to freeze, I recommend checking out this sourdough berry cobbler.

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