Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish Recipe
If you’re in the mood for the ultimate comfort dessert, Southern Banana Cobbler is calling your name! This cozy, deeply aromatic treat boasts tender golden bananas embraced by a buttery, biscuit-style topping. It’s sweet, spiced, and so luscious that every spoonful feels like a little celebration. At the heart of the recipe is a simple step: Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish, letting all that goodness bake into bubbling perfection. Whether for a potluck, Sunday supper, or an average Tuesday that needs a little sparkle, this cobbler is guaranteed to win hearts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s magic in how these everyday ingredients come together to make something truly memorable. Each component is essential: the bananas bring creamy sweetness, the butter adds richness, and the warm spices make everything sing.
- Ripe Bananas: Their natural sweetness and soft texture make them the star of the cobbler, so be sure to use bananas with plenty of brown spots.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds classic sweetness and helps the bananas caramelize as they bake.
- Light Brown Sugar: Brings a touch of molasses flavor that beautifully complements ripe bananas.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds flavor and richness to both filling and topping.
- Water: Keeps the banana mixture juicy as it bakes.
- Lemon Juice: Freshness and a hint of tartness brighten up the overall flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Infuses both the filling and the topping with a gentle, cozy aroma.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice that pair perfectly with bananas.
- Ground Nutmeg: Just a pinch brings depth and a hint of nostalgia to the cobbler.
- Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances every flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the sturdy yet tender base of the cobbler topping.
- Additional Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the topping and helps it brown.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners make the topping beautifully fluffy and light.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderizes the cobbler crust, making it irresistible.
- Additional Unsalted Butter: Enriches the topping, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Turbinado Sugar (optional): Sprinkling this on top creates a delightful crunch and sparkle.
- Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream: The classic finishing touch—choose your favorite!
How to Make Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish
Step 1: Slice Your Bananas
Grab your ripest bananas and cut them into neat 1/4-inch slices. This size is perfect: thick enough that they hold their shape when baked, but thin enough to melt deliciously into the filling.
Step 2: Mix the Banana Filling
In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together your banana slices with granulated sugar, light brown sugar, melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Don’t rush! Give everything a good but gentle stir to coat every slice in that fragrant, buttery syrup.
Step 3: Let the Filling Rest
Let your banana mixture sit out for about 15-20 minutes. Patience pays off here! The sugars draw out the banana juices, creating a luscious filling that will bubble up beautifully in the oven.
Step 4: Prep the Cobbler Topping
While the bananas soak, in another large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate smaller bowl, mix the cold buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth. The buttermilk will give the topping a tender crumb and just a hint of tang.
Step 5: Make the Topping Batter
Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir just until everything’s combined. Try not to overmix! You’re looking for a slightly lumpy, soft batter that’s ready to bake up pillowy and golden.
Step 6: Preheat and Prep
Fire up your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s good and hot. Now, here comes the moment of truth: Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish, scraping every last drop of spiced syrupy goodness into the dish. This is the foundation of your cobbler, so spread the bananas evenly to make sure every serving is loaded with fruit.
Step 7: Add the Topping
Gently pour the topping batter all over the bananas. Don’t worry if it doesn’t cover every inch perfectly! The batter will spread and rise as it bakes, nestling into the nooks and crannies around the bananas.
Step 8: Optional Sugar Sprinkle
If you love a shatteringly crisp topping, don’t skip the final flourish: a generous sprinkle of turbinado sugar across the surface. It bakes up beautifully golden with a little crunch in every bite.
Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. The cobbler is ready when the topping is deeply golden brown and a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Your kitchen will smell like a dream!
Step 10: Cool and Serve
Once baked, let your cobbler cool for 15-20 minutes before serving. It will still be delightfully warm, but allowing it to sit helps the filling set a bit. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
How to Serve Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish
Garnishes
This comforting dessert is only made better by a cooling dollop of whipped cream or a big scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Both let the warm, gooey bananas and biscuit topping shine! If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a few toasted pecans can add a lovely finishing touch.
Side Dishes
Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish may be the star of your dessert table, but it also plays really well with others. Pair it with coffee or chai for a cozy after-dinner treat. If you’re serving this as part of a Southern spread, it’s absolutely at home next to sweet tea and fresh berries for a bright, balanced plate.
Creative Ways to Present
To really wow your guests, try assembling a cobbler sundae bar! Spoon generous helpings of warm banana cobbler into small bowls (remember, pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish ahead of time, and scoop out portions). Lay out toppings like honey, chocolate chips, extra cinnamon, or caramel sauce so everyone can customize their bowl. Dessert has never been more fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover cobbler, simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, staying moist and delicious—just as tempting for breakfast as they are for dessert!
Freezing
Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish as you would for the original recipe, but wait to bake if you’re planning to freeze. Cover the assembled (but unbaked) cobbler tightly with double layers of foil and freeze for up to a month. When ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then proceed as directed for that fresh-from-the-oven experience.
Reheating
For a treat that’s almost as good as fresh, reheat individual portions in the microwave until just warmed through, or pop the covered baking dish into a 325°F (160°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Don’t forget another scoop of ice cream or whipped cream on top before serving again!
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, you can! Thaw the bananas first, drain any excess liquid, and then proceed with the recipe. The texture may be a bit softer, but the cobbler will still be flavorful and comforting.
What can I substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute: add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to 3/4 cup milk, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes before using.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap in your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Check that your other ingredients are gluten-free too, then bake as usual.
Can I add other fruit?
Absolutely! While bananas are the star, a handful of sliced strawberries or blueberries pairs wonderfully. Just keep the overall fruit volume about the same to ensure proper baking.
Why is my cobbler topping gummy?
This sometimes happens if the batter is overmixed or if the cobbler was underbaked. Mix your batter just until combined, and make sure to bake until the topping is golden and fully set in the middle.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough that you try this Southern Banana Cobbler—there’s simply nothing quite like it. Whether you’re gathering family around the table or sharing with friends, the moment you pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish, you’re starting something special. Happy baking and enjoy every cozy bite!
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Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of the South with this delicious Southern Banana Cobbler. Ripe bananas are baked with a sweet and spiced filling, topped with a buttery cobbler crust, and served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Banana Filling:
- 6 ripe bananas, sliced (about 1/4 inch thick)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Cobbler Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
Serving Suggestions:
- Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Bananas: Slice the bananas about 1/4 inch thick.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced bananas with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Let it Sit: Allow the banana mixture to sit for about 15-20 minutes.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cold buttermilk, melted and slightly cooled butter, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the banana filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Pour the Topping: Gently pour the cobbler topping over the banana filling.
- Sprinkle with Sugar (Optional): If desired, sprinkle the top of the cobbler with turbinado sugar.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve warm, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Notes
- You can customize the spices in the filling to suit your taste preferences.
- This cobbler is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two.
- Feel free to add a handful of chopped nuts to the cobbler for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Southern Banana Cobbler, Banana Dessert, Southern Dessert, Cobbler Recipe
