Pumpkin Cobbler Recipe: How to Make Pumpkin Cobbler

Pumpkin cobbler is a rustic baked dessert with a creamy spiced filling and semi-sweet, buttery biscuit dough. The cobbler dough is scattered over the filling in a freeform, cobblestone-like formation from which this dish gets its name. Pumpkin pie is a pumpkin dessert that requires a more rigid baking process and practiced hand than pumpkin cobbler which is a more relaxed dessert that can be prepped in minutes by bakers of all levels. Other popular varieties of cobbler include peach cobbler, apple cobbler, and rhubarb cobbler.

Pumpkin dishes are typically associated with other fall desserts like apple crisp, but there are many ways to adapt pumpkin cobbler in a series of diverse and delicious ways.

1. 1. Pumpkin pecan cobbler: Adding nuts to your pumpkin cobbler lends this dish a savory textural variation. Chopped pecans and walnuts are both delicious pairings for the fall-friendly pumpkin filling.
2. 2. Savory pumpkin cobbler: Baked pumpkin dishes tend to be sweet, but this potassium-rich winter squash can also be adapted to savory recipes. Combine fresh pumpkin (rather than puree) in a filling with other fall vegetables like sweet potato, brussels sprouts, carrots, and kale. Top the dish with an herby biscuit dough for a cobbler that can be eaten as a main course.
3. 3. Pumpkin cobbler with cake mix: A quick, more dump cake-like cobbler can be made by topping the pumpkin filling with a box of yellow cake mix. Upgrade the dough with chopped nuts and seasonal spices like cloves.

While this simple dessert is suitable for bakers of all levels, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind while making a pumpkin cobbler.

1. 1. Use fresh pumpkin. Although the use of a pre-made pumpkin pie filling will shave off a portion of your prep time, this flavored product can negatively impact the taste of your cobbler. Instead, use pure pumpkin puree for your cobbler filling. This way, you can adjust the taste of your filling with the sweeteners and spices of your choosing.
2. 2. Use a food thermometer. To ensure your cobbler topping is fully cooked, insert a food thermometer through the thickest part of the dough when it begins to turn golden brown. When the internal temperature reaches 200 degrees Fahrenheit, your cobbler is ready to eat.
3. 3. Make individual portions. For a crowd-friendly dessert option, bake this recipe in individual portions. Simply divide the cobbler into ramekins prior to baking for a single-serving treat.
4. 4. Play around with additions. Once you’ve mastered the basic pumpkin cobbler recipe, feel free to play around with delicious additions like nuts, chocolate chips, or caramel sauce.