Description
Magic Lemon Cobbler is a delightful layered dessert featuring a golden, fluffy cake batter atop melted butter, topped with tangy lemon pie filling that sinks into the batter during baking to create a luscious lemon pudding layer. This comforting treat combines the bright zest of lemon with a rich, buttery base, perfect for serving warm as a cozy dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional but enhances flavor)
Topping
- 1 (21 oz) can lemon pie filling or lemon curd
Instructions
- Get Your Oven Prepped: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stick of unsalted butter in your baking dish and allow it to melt completely in the oven as it heats. Monitor carefully to ensure the butter melts without browning.
- Mix the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar until evenly combined. Add the buttermilk (or whole milk), vanilla extract, and lemon extract if using. Stir gently but thoroughly until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Pour and Layer (Don’t Stir): Remove the melted butter from the oven. Pour the prepared batter directly over the melted butter in the baking dish — do not stir or mix. Then, spoon dollops of lemon pie filling evenly across the surface of the batter. Resist the urge to stir; this separation is key to the magic of the cobbler.
- Bake Until Golden and Magical: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. The cobbler’s top should puff up and become golden brown. Meanwhile, the lemon filling will sink underneath, creating a luscious, soft lemon pudding layer beneath the cake-like surface.
- Cool, Scoop, and Savor: After baking, allow the cobbler to rest for 10–15 minutes to let it set. Serve warm, optionally topped with whipped cream or fresh berries, and enjoy the comforting combination of buttery cake and tangy lemon pudding.
Notes
- Use buttermilk for a richer tang and tender crumb; whole milk works well as an alternative.
- The lemon extract enhances the lemon flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Monitor the butter closely while melting to avoid browning, which can alter the flavor.
- Do not stir the batter and lemon pie filling after layering; the separation creates the magic layering effect.
- Serve warm and consider adding complementary toppings like whipped cream or fresh fruit for extra indulgence.
