Golden Apricot Delight

Indulge in the sweet and tangy delight of our ultimate Easy Apricot Cobbler, a dessert that truly shines whether you call it a cake with apricots or a classic cobbler. This recipe promises a homemade batter that bakes to a beautiful golden brown, perfectly complementing the tender, juicy apricots beneath. It’s a comforting classic, much like our popular Fresh Peach Dump Cake, but with the unique, bright flavor of apricots, conveniently using canned fruit for effortless preparation.

This simple canned apricot recipe is destined to become a household favorite. While many fruits work wonderfully in cobblers, apricots offer a distinctive sweet-tart balance that sets them apart. Their slightly firmer texture compared to peaches makes them ideal for baking into a delightful, easy-to-prepare cobbler, ensuring they hold their shape beautifully through the baking process. The ease of using canned apricots means you can enjoy this exquisite dessert any time of the year, without the fuss of seasonal availability.

Homemade Apricot Cobbler Perfection

Over the years, we’ve explored various methods for crafting delicious fruit desserts. While boxed mixes offer a convenient shortcut, there’s an undeniable satisfaction and superior flavor that comes from a homemade cobbler batter. Our recipe features a simple yet rich flour and sugar mixture, creating a tender, cake-like topping that truly elevates the experience. For those moments when time is of the essence, a boxed mix, much like our Diced Apple Cobbler with Bisquick, can be a fantastic alternative, significantly reducing the number of ingredients and prep time. However, for the full, authentic cobbler experience, we highly recommend our from-scratch approach, which we’ll detail step-by-step in the recipe card below.

Cake Mix Apricot Cobbler: A Quick Alternative

Should you opt for a quicker preparation, a Betty Crocker white cake mix can be ingeniously adapted for this apricot dessert. Simply follow the directions for our popular Cake Mix Peach Cobbler, substituting peaches with a can of drained apricots. To ensure an even distribution of fruit and make each bite effortlessly enjoyable, especially for children, we often recommend cutting the apricot halves into thirds. This thoughtful touch ensures a delightful experience for everyone at the table.

Do You Have to Peel Apricots for Cobbler?

For convenience and ease, using canned apricots largely eliminates the need for peeling. Most canned varieties come pre-sliced and peeled, making the entire process much simpler. If you’re having trouble locating them at your local grocery store, you can conveniently purchase canned apricots online here. However, for those who prefer to use fresh apricots and undertake the rewarding experience of preparing them from scratch, peeling is certainly an option. Here’s a simple guide on how to remove skin from apricots right in your kitchen:

How to Peel Fresh Apricots: Step-by-Step Guide

When selecting fresh apricots for peeling, look for those that are firm to the touch, as they hold up better during the blanching process. This method, often used for various fruits, ensures the skin comes off easily without cooking the fruit:

• Begin by bringing a pot of water to a rolling boil. Simultaneously, prepare a large bowl filled with ice water, ideally placed in your sink for easy access.
• Carefully score a shallow ‘X’ on the bottom of each ripe apricot with a small, sharp knife. This incision helps the skin to loosen and peel away once heated.
• Gently drop the apricots into the boiling water for a brief period, typically 30 to 60 seconds. This quick blanching process is just enough to loosen the skins.
• Using a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the blanched apricots from the boiling water into the prepared ice bath. This crucial step stops the cooking process and makes the peeling much easier.
• After a few minutes in the ice water, remove one apricot at a time. The skin should now be visibly loosened. Use your thumb and the edge of a sharp knife to gently grab the peeled-up edge of the skin.
• Carefully pull the skin towards the top of the fruit, discarding it as you go. Once peeled, you can easily slice the apricot into two halves and remove the pit.
• With your freshly peeled and pitted apricot halves, you’re now ready to use them for this summer dessert, make a homemade apricot jam, or incorporate them into any other favorite recipe.

This blanching technique is versatile and works well for many other fruits too. While the scratch method is rewarding, remember that canned fruit or even fruit pie filling offers maximum convenience, as demonstrated in our delightful Cake Mix Cherry Cobbler.

Creative Uses for Abundant Apricots

If you find yourself with an abundance of apricots, or simply love incorporating this vibrant fruit into your baking, the possibilities are endless! Our food blog has recently highlighted numerous ways How to Make Cake Mix Cobbler, often using pie filling for ease. This apricot cobbler recipe, however, stands out by providing wonderfully larger chunks of fruit in every bite, thanks to using actual fruit rather than a pureed filling. The topping, crafted from scratch, yields a texture distinct from those made with a boxed mix.

Many “dump cake” style recipes, like those found in our collection of Easy Dump Cake Recipes, involve layering ingredients with minimal mixing. For this apricot cobbler, we’ve developed a slightly thicker, more substantial batter. This batter is generously poured over the fruit, allowing it to seep down and envelop the apricot pieces, resulting in a richer, more cake-like texture once baked. This method ensures a moist, flavorful dessert with a satisfying crumble on top.

While a springform pan can be fun for certain cobbler variations, like our delightful Cinnamon Roll Cobbler, this particular apricot cobbler yields a significant amount of juicy fruit filling. Therefore, we highly recommend using a sturdy 9×13 inch casserole dish, as pictured here. Its ample size is just right to contain all the deliciousness and ensures even baking.

Ingredient Notes for the Perfect Apricot Cobbler

Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to achieving cobbler perfection. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

• Apricots: We suggest using a large can of sliced, peeled apricots for ultimate convenience. Simply drain the juices before mixing them with other sweeteners. If using fresh apricots, peeling them is preferred, but optional.
• Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice is crucial. It not only adds a bright, zesty tang that complements the apricots beautifully but also helps prevent the fruit from browning during baking.
• Cornstarch: This acts as a thickening agent for the fruit sauce, ensuring it’s luscious and not watery. For a gluten-free option, arrowroot flour works equally well.
• Brown Sugar: Provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the fruit filling. If you’re managing sugar intake, a sugar-free alternative like Splenda can be used.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our homemade cobbler topping, creating a tender, cake-like crust.
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the batter.
• Baking Powder: This leavening agent ensures the cobbler topping rises to a light and fluffy texture, giving it that classic dessert appeal.
• Butter: Sliced into small pieces and incorporated into the batter, butter melts beautifully, imparting a creamy texture and deep, rich flavor to the topping.
• Large Egg: A room-temperature egg helps bind the batter ingredients together and adds moisture. We prefer organic and free-range eggs for the richest flavor and best results.
• Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk is ideal for creating a thick, pourable batter that forms the signature cobbler-like top layer.
• Granulated Sugar: Added to the batter, this sweetens the topping, ensuring a delightful contrast with the tangy apricot filling.

Substitutions and Variations

This apricot cobbler recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing for various substitutions to suit dietary needs or personal preferences:

• Dairy-Free Option: Easily make this cobbler dairy-free by swapping regular milk for almond milk or cashew milk. There are also excellent vegan, plant-based butter alternatives available in most stores that perform and taste very similarly to dairy butter.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, ensuring it contains xanthan gum for structure.
• Other Fruits: While apricots are star, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fruits. Peaches, berries, or even a mix of fruits can create a delicious cobbler. Adjust sugar as needed based on fruit sweetness.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of cardamom can add warmth and depth to the apricot filling.

While this recipe might contain a few more items than our incredibly simple Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix topping, the slight increase in ingredients is well worth the effort for the resultant rich, dense, and satisfying cake-like texture, quite different from something light and airy like an angel food cake. We encourage you to jump to the recipe, get started, and then share your thoughts in the comments below!

Apricot Cobbler Recipe

By
Justine

Whether you call this easy dessert a cake with apricots or apricot cobbler, it is a win either way. With a homemade batter baked to golden brown on top and tender inside, it’s a perfect treat.

Prep:
15 mins

Cook:
20 mins

Servings:
6

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Equipment

• 1 9×13 inch baking pan
• 1 mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 1 cup apricots, sliced, skins removed is preferred if fresh, or use canned and drained
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

Cobbler Batter

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3 oz butter, sliced
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• 4 tbsp sugar

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, gently combine the chopped canned apricots, brown sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Pour this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
• In a separate bowl, or a food processor, whisk together all the dry ingredients for the cobbler batter: all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the cold butter, sliced into small pieces, and mix until you get a crumbly, coarse mixture (if using a food processor, pulse for about 30 seconds). Stir in the large egg, then gradually add the milk, starting with half and adding more as needed, until a fairly thick, pourable dough forms.
• Spoon portions of the cobbler batter evenly over the apricot mixture in the baking pan. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling. Be careful not to overcook the topping. Let the cobbler cool slightly before cutting into generous pieces. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

Nutrition

Serving: 2oz,
Calories: 261kcal,
Carbohydrates: 33g,
Protein: 4g,
Fat: 13g,
Saturated Fat: 8g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g,
Trans Fat: 0.5g,
Cholesterol: 59mg,
Sodium: 206mg,
Potassium: 167mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 15g,
Vitamin A: 914IU,
Vitamin C: 5mg,
Calcium: 49mg,
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Why This Apricot Cobbler is a Must-Try

This easy apricot cobbler recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. Its simplicity, combined with the vibrant flavors of apricots, makes it a perfect choice for both novice bakers and seasoned pros. Whether you’re whipping it up for a casual family dinner or a special gathering, its comforting aroma and delightful taste are sure to impress. The homemade batter provides a textural richness that truly elevates the dish beyond a simple fruit bake. Enjoy it warm with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or simply on its own. It’s a versatile dessert that adapts to your preferences and occasions.

Final Tips for the Best Apricot Cobbler

• Don’t Overmix the Batter: For a tender topping, mix the cobbler batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough crust.
• Serve Warm: While delicious at room temperature, apricot cobbler truly shines when served warm, allowing the juices to meld and the topping to remain slightly crisp.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave for best results.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste your apricots (if fresh) and adjust the brown sugar accordingly. Very ripe apricots might need less sugar, while tarter ones might benefit from a little more.

We hope this comprehensive guide inspires you to bake this incredible easy apricot cobbler. It’s a recipe designed for success, delivering a memorable dessert with minimal effort. Enjoy every sweet, tangy, and tender bite!