If you’re looking for a dessert that combines the best of both worlds—rich, gooey pecan pie and a comforting, cake-like cobbler—then Pecan Pie Cobbler is your answer. This easy and indulgent dessert is perfect for fall and holiday gatherings, offering the sweet, nutty flavor of pecan pie in a more rustic, casual form. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to satisfy those with a sweet tooth, and it’s simple enough to make without much effort.
Why You’ll Love Pecan Pie Cobbler:
- Two Desserts in One: If you love pecan pie, you’ll love the cobbler’s rich, caramelized pecan filling. If you’re a fan of cake-like desserts, the cobbler base is soft, tender, and almost like a fluffy sponge cake. Together, they create the perfect balance of textures.
- Easy to Make: This dessert is surprisingly simple to make, especially compared to traditional pecan pie. There’s no need for a pie crust, and the batter is mixed in one bowl, so you don’t have to worry about making anything too complicated.
- Perfect for the Holidays: With its comforting flavors of toasted pecans and caramelized sugar, pecan pie cobbler is a fantastic dessert for fall or winter celebrations, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s gatherings.
- Customizable: You can easily make this dessert your own. Add a little cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for extra warmth, or stir in a splash of bourbon or maple syrup for a sophisticated twist. You can also add chocolate chips for a decadent touch or use a combination of chopped pecans and walnuts.
Tips for the Best Pecan Pie Cobbler:
- Don’t Overmix the Cobbler Batter: When making the cobbler batter, mix the ingredients just until everything is combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense texture, and you want the batter to be light and fluffy.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best texture, make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients can cause the batter to seize up and not come together properly.
- Pecan Placement: The pecan filling will naturally float to the top of the cobbler as it bakes, but you can also gently stir it around in the batter before baking if you want the pecans to be more evenly distributed throughout.
- Adjust Sweetness: Depending on how sweet you like your desserts, you can adjust the amount of sugar in both the batter and the pecan filling. If you’re using dark corn syrup, you might find the filling to be sweeter on its own, so feel free to reduce the sugar a little.
- Serve with Toppings: This cobbler is great on its own, but you can elevate it by serving with fresh whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce. These additions help balance out the richness of the dessert and add an extra layer of indulgence.
Possible Variations:
- Chocolate Pecan Pie Cobbler: For chocolate lovers, you can add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the pecan pie filling before baking. The chocolate melts and creates a fudgy layer between the cobbler and pecans, adding a delicious depth of flavor.
- Bourbon Pecan Pie Cobbler: Add 1-2 tablespoons of bourbon to the pecan filling for a sophisticated, slightly smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the pie and the pecans.
- Maple Pecan Cobbler: Use maple syrup instead of corn syrup for a more earthy, maple-infused flavor. This is a great variation for those who want a less sugary, more natural sweetness.
- Vegan or Dairy-Free Version: Replace the eggs and butter with vegan alternatives, such as flax eggs and coconut oil. Use almond or coconut milk in place of whole milk. For a rich, dairy-free topping, use coconut whipped cream.
Serving Suggestions:
- Warm and Comforting: Pecan Pie Cobbler is best served warm, fresh out of the oven, allowing the filling to be gooey and delicious, and the top to remain slightly crisp.
- A La Mode: A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream perfectly balances the richness of the cobbler.
- For Breakfast: Leftovers (if there are any!) can make a decadent breakfast when served with coffee or tea the next day.
Nutritional Information (approx. per serving, based on 12 servings):
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Protein: 3-5 g
- Fat: 20-25 g
- Carbohydrates: 45-50 g
- Sugar: 35-40 g
- Fiber: 2-3 g
Ingredients:
For the Cobbler:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups pecans, roughly chopped (you can use whole pecans if you prefer a more textured topping)
For the Pecan Pie Filling:
- 1 cup light or dark corn syrup (dark gives a richer flavor, but light works just as well)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups pecans, whole or chopped (depending on your preference)
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish (or a similar-sized dish)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or spoon for stirring
