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Southern Banana Cobbler: Easy Dessert Recipe for Families

Southern Banana Cobbler

A warm, comforting Southern-style cobbler filled with caramelized bananas and finished with a tender buttermilk topping. Perfect with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 ripe bananas, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup cold buttermilk
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling (optional)
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving

Method
 

  1. Slice the bananas into 1/4-inch rounds.
  2. In a large bowl, combine bananas with granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, water, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Let sit 15–20 minutes.
  3. In another large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
  5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  7. Pour banana filling into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  8. Spread the cobbler topping over the banana mixture. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar if desired.
  9. Bake 35–45 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
  10. Let cool 15–20 minutes before serving.
  11. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Use fully ripe bananas with brown speckles for the richest flavor. For extra caramelization, add 1–2 tablespoons of melted butter directly to the baking dish before adding the filling.