Pecan Pie Cobbler

Deeply flavorful pecan pie cobbler is a family favorite for those times you are craving homemade pecan pie, but want none of the hassle. Use quality ingredients like Watkins to ensure your cobbler comes out perfect every time. This post is sponsored by Watkins, thank you for supporting the brands I love! 

Why you’ll love it

This pecan pie cobbler is a family favorite passed down through generations, so it has years of recipe testing and tasting behind it. It has all the flavors of a pecan pie without being as cloying sweet and it takes a lot less time and effort to whip up. And unlike a pie where there are several components and areas where things can go wrong, you make the cobbler in your baking pan and it is very forgiving to all baking experience levels. 

One of my favorite memories as a child was spending time with my great-grandmother. She always let me help her bake, and I always got to make my own mini treat just for myself. One of my favorites was this pecan cobbler which was easy enough for me to make almost entirely on my own. It’s a recipe she made since she was young and it is one that always reminds me of our time together. 

What really stands out are the ingredients we use. The recipe calls for a few very simple pantry-staple ingredients, so the quality is so important. 

I love using Watkins organic spices and extracts in recipes like this to add a better, richer flavor. Watkins Organic Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla has a beautiful and robust flavor with sweet floral notes that really elevates the caramel notes in the cobbler and enhances the nuttiness of the pecans.The Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon and Organic Ground Ginger are also favorites because they add so much dimension to the cobbler. It helps distinguish it from your typical very sweet pecan pies by adding more to the flavor profile for your tastebuds to explore and enjoy. 

Ingredients

• Butter - You should only use unsalted butter for this recipe. You can add another 4 tablespoons and brown the butter before using it for added flavor. I do not recommend substituting the butter for alternatives like margarine, however, ghee may work. 
• Flour - This recipe works best using all-purpose flour. You can use a 1:1 gluten flour baking mix or white whole wheat flour without changing the amount of flour you use. Do not use cake flour or any other low protein flours. 
• Sugar - Granulated and light brown sugar are used in this recipe. You can use dark brown sugar, just know the molasses flavor will be more prominent. 
• Spices - This recipe calls for Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon and Watkins Organic Ground Ginger to add more dimension to the flavor profile. They’re both USDA Organic Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified and elevate this pecan cobbler to a whole new level, you’ll be wanting to make it all the time!
• Milk - For added richness, whole milk works the best. You can also use buttermilk for a tangy hint. If you want something ultra decadent, you can use heavy cream. 
• Pecans - You should use chopped pecans for easier eating. You can also use pecan halves, but it will be harder to eat. You can substitute some of the pecans with other nuts like walnuts for added flavor and dimension. 
• Vanilla - For this cobbler, I highly recommend Watkins Organic Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla Extract. It is a low alcohol extract that retains its delicious flavor during the baking process. It’s made using all Non-GMO Certified ingredients and is completely free from high-fructose corn syrup, added MSG, and other artificial ingredients. It adds unbelievable flavor and depth like no other. 

Method

The reason this pecan pie cobbler is so amazing is how easy it is to make. It is great for first time bakers, but delicious enough that experienced bakers will love making it, too. 

1. Place your butter in your baking pan and place it in the oven while it preheats so the butter can melt. Boil water in a small saucepan.
2. While the butter is melting, grab your remaining ingredients. 
3. Mix together the flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt in a medium bowl.
4. Stir in the milk and vanilla into the flour and stir until just combined to make a batter.
5. Take out the baking pan with the melted butter and top with pecans. Spread the batter evenly across the pan. 
6. Top with the brown sugar. Slowly pour the boiling water over everything. Do not stir.
7. Bake until golden brown and bubbling. Everything will thicken as it cools. 
8. Serve with ice cream!

Variations

There are so many ways you can switch things up with this pecan pie cobbler to make it interesting.

• Chocolate - Add two tablespoons of natural cocoa powder to the flour for the batter. You can also sprinkling in chocolate chips with the pecans.
• Pumpkin - Add about ⅓ cup of pure pumpkin puree to the batter along with a tablespoon of pumpkin spice.
• Chai - Stir in a tablespoon of chai spice into the batter.
• Nutty - Replace some of the pecans with chopped walnuts, peanuts, or pistachios.
• Brown Butter - Add another 3 tablespoons of butter and cook the butter until it is nutty and lightly browned.
• Cake Mix - Replace the dry ingredients for the batter with yellow or white cake mix. You can also use chocolate cake mix.
• Gluten-free - Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix in place of the flour.

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