Southern Banana Cobbler
Southern Banana Cobbler is a warm and comforting dessert featuring ripe bananas topped with a rich, buttery biscuit crust. Perfectly simple and quick to prepare, this classic Southern treat combines sweet fruit filling and a flaky, golden topping, ideal for any season or occasion.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free flour); Can be vegan and dairy-free with substitutions
Fruit Filling
- 4–5 ripe bananas (just starting to brown), peeled and sliced into thin rounds
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (plus extra for tossing bananas)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Biscuit Topping
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk (or dairy-free alternative for vegan/dairy-free)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare the Bananas: Peel and slice your ripe bananas into thin rounds. Toss them gently with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon if using. This helps the bananas release their juices and balances the sweetness with a hint of spice.
- Make the Biscuit Topping: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the milk and vanilla extract, stirring gently just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the topping tender and flaky.
- Assemble the Cobbler: Grease a baking dish and spread the banana mixture evenly across the bottom. Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the bananas, covering most of the fruit but leaving some gaps so the filling can bubble through the crust as it bakes.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the assembled cobbler in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the biscuit topping is puffed and golden brown and the banana filling is bubbling around the edges. Keep an eye on it after 30 minutes to avoid over-browning.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and soft texture.
- Do not overmix the biscuit dough to maintain a flaky texture.
- Cold butter is essential for a crispy, tender crust.
- Allow the cobbler to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
- Optional additions: chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or spices like nutmeg for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: southern banana cobbler, banana dessert, cobbler, easy dessert, southern cooking, baked banana, biscuit topping