Southern Banana Cobbler (Printable version)
Caramelized bananas topped with a golden buttery crust — pure Southern comfort in every warm, gooey bite.
# Ingredient list:
→ Filling
01 - 4 ripe bananas, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - Pinch of kosher salt
→ Cobbler Topping
10 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 cup whole milk
15 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Optional Garnish
17 - Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring gently, until the bananas soften and the mixture becomes saucy. Remove from heat and spread the filling evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the whole milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract, then stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the topping tender.
04 - Drop spoonfuls of the batter over the banana filling, spreading gently with a spatula. Leave some gaps uncovered to allow steam to escape and create a rustic, golden crust.
05 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the crust comes out clean.
06 - Allow the cobbler to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Spoon warm portions into bowls and top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The caramelized banana filling tastes like banana pudding met a warm sticky toffee and they became best friends.
- It uses ingredients you probably already have, which means zero emergency grocery runs.
02 -
- Do not overmix the cobbler batter or it will turn dense and tough instead of tender and cakey.
- The filling will look very saucy when it goes into the oven but thickens as it cools, so trust the process.
03 -
- Freeze your overripe bananas when you cannot use them right away, then thaw and drain before making this recipe for even more concentrated flavor.
- A light dusting of coarse sugar on top of the batter before baking creates a subtle crunch that takes this from good to unforgettable.