Description
This comforting baked banana dessert delivers soft, caramelized fruit beneath a golden, tender crust with just a hint of warmth from spice. It’s the kind of nostalgic treat that feels like a hug in every bite, especially when finished with a scoop of creamy ice cream or a cloud of whipped topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Layer
- 6 very ripe bananas, cut into thin rounds
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Small pinch of salt
Cobbler Topping
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
- 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter, slightly cooled
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional)
For Serving:
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Prep the Fruit
- Slice the bananas into even rounds, roughly a quarter-inch thick, and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Create the Sweet Filling
- Add both sugars, melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the bananas. Gently stir to coat the fruit without breaking it apart.
- Rest the Mixture
- Let the banana blend sit for 15 to 20 minutes so the flavors meld and a syrup begins to form.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Blend Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, stir together the buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Form the Batter
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix just until everything comes together. Stop as soon as no dry streaks remain.
- Heat the Oven
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to fully preheat.
- Assemble
- Transfer the banana mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Add the Topping
- Carefully spoon or pour the batter over the fruit layer, covering as much surface as possible. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if you like extra crunch.
- Bake
- Place in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool Slightly
- Let the cobbler rest for 15–20 minutes before serving so the filling can settle.
- Serve Warm
- Dish it up while still warm and finish with whipped cream or a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Extra-ripe bananas provide the richest sweetness and best texture.
- Stir the batter gently to keep the topping soft and tender.
- Feel free to reduce or increase sugar to match your preference.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch if you want more texture.
- You can assemble everything a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F or microwave in short bursts until warmed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts