The Best Southern Banana Cobbler Dessert
A warm, gooey Southern Banana Cobbler filled with sweet ripe bananas and topped with a golden, tender cobbler crust. This nostalgic dessert bakes up bubbly and comforting—perfect served with ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 5 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Cobbler Batter:
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
Optional Toppings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Caramel drizzle
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine sliced bananas, sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir gently until well coated and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together self-rising flour, milk, sugar, and nutmeg until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish without stirring.
5. Spoon the banana mixture evenly over the batter. Do not mix; the batter will rise around the bananas as it bakes.
6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbly, and the center is set.
7. Let the cobbler rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set slightly.
Notes
Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
Do not stir the batter and banana layers together—this creates the cobbler’s classic texture.
The top should be deep golden brown with lightly crisp edges before removing from the oven.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel for extra indulgence.