Southern Banana Cobbler Recipe

Introduction

Southern Banana Cobbler is a comforting dessert that highlights ripe bananas with a sweet, spiced filling and a tender cobbler topping. It’s easy to make and perfect for enjoying warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 6 ripe bananas, sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, cold
• 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice the bananas about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced bananas with granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
3. Step 3: Let the banana mixture sit for 15-20 minutes to develop flavor.
4. Step 4: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk the cold buttermilk with the melted and slightly cooled butter and vanilla extract.
6. Step 6: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined; avoid overmixing.
7. Step 7: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. Step 8: Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
9. Step 9: Gently pour the cobbler batter over the banana filling, spreading evenly.
10. Step 10: If desired, sprinkle the top with turbinado sugar for extra crunch and sweetness.
11. Step 11: Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
12. Step 12: Let the cobbler cool for 15-20 minutes before serving warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Tips & Variations

• Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the batter before baking.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, substitute with 3/4 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes.
• Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves to the filling spices for extra warmth.

Storage

Store leftover banana cobbler covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. The topping may lose some crispness but the flavor remains delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cobbler ahead of time?

You can prepare the banana filling and batter separately and store them in the fridge for a few hours before assembling and baking. Baking just before serving yields the best texture.

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh ripe bananas as freezing changes their texture and releases extra moisture, which can affect the filling consistency.

Southern Banana Cobbler Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 133 reviews

This Southern Banana Cobbler is a warm and comforting dessert featuring ripe bananas baked beneath a golden, tender cobbler topping. Infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, the sweet banana filling is perfectly complemented by a lightly spiced, buttery crust. Served best warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, it’s an easy-to-make Southern classic ideal for any occasion.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Banana Filling

• 6 ripe bananas, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt

Cobbler Topping

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup buttermilk, cold
• 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Finish

• Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the Bananas: Slice the bananas into approximately 1/4 inch thick pieces to ensure even cooking and a tender texture in the filling.
2. Combine Filling Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced bananas with granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to create a flavorful banana mixture.
3. Let it Sit: Allow the banana mixture to sit for about 15-20 minutes so the sugars dissolve and the flavors meld together, also softening the bananas slightly.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to prepare the cobbler topping dry base.
5. Add Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the cold buttermilk, melted and cooled butter, and vanilla extract to create the wet component for the topping.
6. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix to keep the topping tender and fluffy.
7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time the cobbler is ready to bake.
8. Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the banana mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring an even layer of filling.
9. Pour the Topping: Gently pour or drop spoonfuls of the cobbler topping over the banana filling, covering the surface as evenly as possible.
10. Sprinkle with Sugar (Optional): For extra crunch and sweetness, sprinkle the top of the cobbler with turbinado sugar before baking.
11. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes. The topping should turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
12. Cool Slightly: Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes to allow it to set and make serving easier.
13. Serve: Serve the cobbler warm, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delicious finishing touch.

Notes

• You can substitute regular sugar with coconut sugar for a slightly different flavor and lower glycemic index.
• Make sure the butter for the topping is cooled slightly after melting to avoid cooking the batter prematurely.
• If you prefer a thicker filling, reduce the water slightly or add a teaspoon of cornstarch to the banana mixture.
• Leftover cobbler can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.

Keywords: banana cobbler, Southern dessert, baked banana dessert, cobbler recipe, easy dessert, comfort food