This Southern Banana Cobbler is a warm, gooey, and comforting dessert, packed with sweet ripe bananas, buttery cobbler topping, and a hint of cinnamon. It’s like banana pudding meets cobbler, making it the perfect dessert for banana lovers. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate Southern treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich & buttery – A golden cobbler crust with a sweet banana filling.
- Easy to make – Just mix, layer, and bake!
- Perfect use for ripe bananas – A great alternative to banana bread.
- Great for gatherings – Crowd-pleasing Southern dessert!
- Customizable – Add caramel, nuts, or even chocolate chips.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Banana Filling:
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (prevents browning)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
For the Cobbler Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Directions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Banana Filling
- In a bowl, toss sliced bananas with brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Stir in melted butter, then spread mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Make the Cobbler Batter
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in milk and melted butter until combined (it will be a smooth batter).
Step 4: Assemble & Bake
- Pour the cobbler batter over the banana mixture (don’t stir).
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
Variations
- Caramel Banana Cobbler – Drizzle ½ cup caramel sauce over the bananas before baking.
- Nutty Banana Cobbler – Add ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Banana Chocolate Chip Cobbler – Stir in ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter.
- Spiced Banana Cobbler – Add 1 tsp allspice or extra cinnamon for warmth.
- Dairy-Free Version – Use almond milk and vegan butter.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas?
Yes! Soft, ripe bananas work best for extra sweetness.
Can I use a cake mix for the topping?
Yes! Use a yellow cake mix instead of the cobbler batter.
What’s the best way to keep the cobbler from getting soggy?
Bake until the top is golden brown and set, and let it cool slightly before serving.
Can I add other fruits?
Yes! Try adding sliced peaches, strawberries, or blueberries.
What’s the best way to serve banana cobbler?
With vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or caramel drizzle!
Can I make this in advance?
Yes! Bake it a day ahead and reheat before serving.
Can I make this in a cast-iron skillet?
Absolutely! Bake as directed for a rustic Southern touch.
What’s the difference between a cobbler and a crisp?
Cobbler has a soft, cakey topping, while a crisp has a crunchy oat topping.
Can I use plant-based milk instead of whole milk?
Yes! Almond, oat, or coconut milk all work well.
How do I make the cobbler extra rich?
Add ½ cup heavy cream to the batter for extra richness.
Conclusion
This Southern Banana Cobbler is sweet, buttery, and packed with caramelized banana flavor. Whether you serve it for a cozy dessert, a family gathering, or a holiday treat, this cobbler is sure to be a hit. Try it today and enjoy every warm, gooey bite!
Print
Southern Banana Cobbler
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Southern, Comfort Food
Description
This Southern Banana Cobbler is a warm, gooey, and irresistibly sweet dessert, featuring caramelized bananas, a buttery cobbler topping, and a hint of cinnamon. It’s like a banana pudding meets cobbler, perfect for serving with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!
Ingredients
For the Banana Filling:
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced (not overly ripe, or they’ll turn mushy!)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (adds caramel-like depth!)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional but adds warmth!)
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional, for extra spice!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
For the Cobbler Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup whole milk (or buttermilk for extra richness!)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Serving (Optional):
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
- Caramel sauce drizzle
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×9-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Banana Filling
- In a large bowl, mix sliced bananas, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, melted butter, and heavy cream.
- Stir well until bananas are coated and sugars start to dissolve.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Prepare the Cobbler Batter
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly over the banana filling. Do not stir!
Step 4: Bake Until Golden & Bubbly
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the cobbler topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Spoon warm cobbler into bowls.
- Top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a caramel drizzle.
Serving Suggestions
- With Ice Cream: Classic pairing—vanilla ice cream melts perfectly over the warm cobbler!
- With Caramel Sauce: Drizzle extra homemade or store-bought caramel for indulgence.
- For Breakfast: Enjoy leftovers warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt!
Notes
- Want it crispier? Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the topping before baking.
- Make it extra caramelized! Sauté the bananas in butter and brown sugar before adding to the dish.
- Gluten-Free? Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Lighter Version? Use low-fat milk and reduce sugar by ¼ cup.