This Slow cooker cran-apple cobbler is the ultimate warm comfort dessert, delivering the nostalgic taste of homemade cobbler with incredible ease. Tender apples and tart cranberries simmer beneath a golden, buttery biscuit topping, all coming together effortlessly in your crockpot. It’s the perfect dessert for a cozy family dinner or a stress-free holiday gathering.

As the crisp air of autumn sets in, my kitchen fills with the comforting aroma of cinnamon and baked fruit. This apple cranberry cobbler has become a cherished ritual, a dessert I love to prepare as the centerpiece for our weekend gatherings. It pairs beautifully with a cup of spiced tea, and I often serve it alongside my classic pumpkin pie for our traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The gentle, slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld perfectly, filling the house with an irresistible scent that promises a delightful finish to any meal.

Your Slow Cooker Cobbler Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

Slow Cooker Cran-Apple Cobbler

Make this delicious slow cooker cran-apple cobbler with tender apples, tart cranberries, and a golden biscuit topping. Perfect warm dessert ready in 3-4 hours!

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

20 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

• mixing bowl
• knife
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups
• whisk
• pastry blender
• fork
• rubber spatula
• slow cooker
• cutting board

Ingredients

  

Fruit Filling

• 6 medium Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter cut into small pieces

Cobbler Topping

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter very cold, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions

 

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced Granny Smith apples, cranberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and 1/4 cup water. Toss gently to coat the fruit evenly. Pour the mixture into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Dot the top of the fruit with the 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter pieces.
• In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
• Add the very cold, cubed 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Avoid overworking the dough.
• Pour the 1/2 cup whole milk into the flour and butter mixture. Stir gently with a fork or rubber spatula just until the dough comes together and no dry streaks of flour remain. The dough will be soft and somewhat shaggy.
• Drop spoonfuls (about 1 to 2 tablespoons each) of the prepared biscuit topping evenly over the fruit filling in the slow cooker. It’s okay if there are small gaps; the topping will expand as it cooks.
• Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours, or until the apples are tender when pierced with a fork and the cobbler topping is cooked through and lightly golden brown. The filling should be bubbly around the edges.
• Once cooked, turn off the slow cooker and remove the lid. Let the cobbler rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes before serving. This allows the fruit filling to thicken slightly. Serve warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Notes

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Keyword apple, cobbler, cranberry, slow cooker

Simple Ways to Customize

• Nutty Crunch: Add a half-cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the fruit filling for extra texture.
• Orange Zest Boost: Stir the zest of one orange into the filling for a bright, citrusy note.
• Spiced Variation: Add a quarter teaspoon of cardamom or allspice to the cinnamon and nutmeg.

My Pro Tips for Perfect Cobbler

• Cold Butter is Key: For the flakiest topping, ensure your butter is very cold and work quickly to avoid melting it.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Stir the wet and dry ingredients just until combined; a slightly shaggy dough is ideal.
• Test for Doneness: The cobbler is ready when the apples are fork-tender and the topping is golden brown.
• Let it Rest: Allowing the cobbler to sit for 15-20 minutes after cooking helps the filling thicken beautifully. This technique works wonderfully for other fruit desserts like my Southern banana cobbler.

How to Store and Reheat

• Store: Cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Portion the cooled cobbler into freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, or reheat the entire dish in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes until bubbly.
• Make-Ahead Tip: You can mix the dry ingredients for the topping a day in advance and store them in a zip-top bag in the fridge to save time.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Cozy Desserts to Try

• Crockpot Chocolate Cobbler
• Homemade Apple Pie
• Easy Apple Dumplings
• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
• Churro Cheesecake

You Will Love This Easy Cobbler

With its perfect balance of sweet and tart fruit topped with a homemade biscuit crust, this Slow cooker cran-apple cobbler is a dessert you’ll return to again and again. It fills your home with an inviting aroma and delivers the kind of warm, comforting sweetness that turns an ordinary day into something special. I hope it becomes a cherished part of your dessert rotation, just as it has in mine.