Caramel Apple Pear Cobbler

When the weather turns cooler, few desserts are as comforting as a warm fruit cobbler. This caramel apple pear cobbler elevates a traditional cobbler with a rich caramel-like filling made from apples and pears, topped with a tender crust that features oats and dates for added flavor and texture. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering or enjoying a quiet night at home, this dessert is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Pear Cobbler

• A delightful mix of fruits. The combination of tart Granny Smith apples and sweet, juicy pears creates a perfect balance of flavors.
• Caramel-like filling. Cooking the apples in butter and brown sugar creates a caramelized sauce that’s irresistibly rich.
• A unique crust. The crust includes oats and dates, giving it extra texture and natural sweetness.
• Simple to make. With just a few easy steps, you can have this cobbler baking in no time.
• Versatile and customizable. You can tweak the recipe to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.

What You’ll Need

For ingredient quantities and full instructions, see the recipe card below.

• Granny Smith apples – These tart apples hold their shape well during cooking and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the filling. If you prefer sweeter apples, you can substitute Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, though the flavor will be less tangy.
• Pears – Choose ripe yet firm pears for a sweet and juicy complement to the apples. Varieties like Bosc and Anjou work particularly well, as they hold their shape during cooking and balance the sweetness of the caramelized filling.
• All-purpose flour – This forms the base of the crust and also helps thicken the filling.
• Baking powder
• Brown sugar – This adds a caramel-like flavor to the filling. I like light brown sugar here, but you can use dark brown sugar if you prefer a stronger molasses flavor.
• Salt
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter – You’ll need butter for caramelizing the apples and also for adding richness and flavor to the crust.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats – These add texture and a rustic feel to the crust.
• Dates – Their natural sweetness complements the fruit filling.
• Milk – I use whole milk here for richness.
• Egg
• Pecans – Toasted or glazed pecans make a delicious garnish, adding crunch and nuttiness. If you like, you can add them before baking and let them toast in the oven as the cobbler bakes.

How to Make Apple Pear Cobbler

• Prepare for baking. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate or a shallow 2-quart baking dish.
• Make the filling. Combine the apples, brown sugar, and flour in a large bowl, stirring to coat the apples evenly. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the apple mixture and bring it to a boil, cooking for 10 minutes while stirring often. Add the pears and cook for 5 more minutes. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.

• Prepare the crust. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, dates, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, stir together the milk, melted butter, and beaten egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.

• Assemble and bake. Spoon the crust mixture over the fruit filling. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. If desired, top with pecan halves before baking, or garnish with toasted or glazed pecans before serving.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

• Add spices. Sprinkle a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg into the filling for added warmth.
• Use different fruits. Try substituting peaches or plums for the pears for a fun twist.
• Swap the dates. If dates aren’t your favorite, use raisins or dried cranberries instead.
• Make it gluten-free. Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour.
• Top with caramel sauce. Drizzle warm caramel sauce over each serving for an extra indulgent treat.
• Pair with ice cream. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes the perfect complement to the warm cobbler.
• Add whipped cream. Lightly sweetened whipped cream adds a creamy, airy contrast to the rich filling.

How to Store

• Refrigerator: Store leftover cobbler in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat the whole cobbler in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
• Freezing: Freeze the baked cobbler for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.