Julie Clark
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Apple Pandowdy Recipe
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This Old fashioned Apple Pandowdy recipe is an apple cobbler-like dessert with molasses sweetened apples and a buttery rich topping.
Pandowdy is something I’ve heard of for years, but had never tried. After all, with the apple crisps, homemade apple pies and even apple cobblers, how could it really be that much different?
I was wrong, and here’s why. Although this may look like an apple cobbler, it’s uniquely sweetened with molasses, giving it a deep, rich comforting flavor that is like no other dessert we’ve shared on Tastes of Lizzy T. Don’t like molasses? No worries. I’ll give you recipe variations below to make this with other sugars.
About this Apple Pandowdy Recipe:
- Flavor: You have to be ok with molasses to love this recipe, because that is the main flavor that is paired with the apples. You’ll get hints of cinnamon and have a simply sweet cake topping, but molasses is where it’s at with this apple dessert recipe.
- Texture: The apples are soft and tender, just like in an apple crisp recipe. The cake topping is light and tender, but also has a rich flavor thanks to the butter, milk and egg.
What is the meaning of apple pandowdy?
There are many different versions of this recipe. Some are sweetened with maple syrup or brown sugar rather than molasses. Others have a topping that is more like store-bought pie crust or homemade pastry dough.
In general, it’s a vintage colonial recipe that is know for its “dowdy” appearance. (In fact sometimes it is separated and called Apple Pan Dowdy.). Whether you use pieces of pie crust baked into the apples as a skillet apple pie or top it with this cobbler-like topping, it’s not the prettiest of desserts. But don’t let that stop you from trying it. A little vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of molasses on top goes a long way.
What type of apples are best for apple pandowdy?
For this recipe you’ll want to choose a tart apple that will hold up to the heat and not get mushy. I prefer Granny Smith Apples. However, Fuji, Pink Lady or golden delicious apples will also work well. These are all common apples that we have in grocery stores like Aldi or Walmart so you shouldn’t have a problem finding them.
How to Make Apple Pandowdy
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 1 ½ quart baking dish or cast iron skillet with cooking spray. We used a 9″ pie plate.
- Arrange the apple slices in the baking dish. Sprinkle the apples with nutmeg, cinnamon and salt over the apples. Drizzle evenly with molasses.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the apples are baking, combine the flour, baking powder and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk well.
- Add in the melted butter, milk and whisked egg. Mix just until combined. Do not over mix.
- After the apples have baked for 20 minutes, spoon the batter over the apple mixture in an even layer, then bake for another 20-25 minutes, watching for the biscuit topping to be lightly golden brown or until the toothpick inserted in the topping comes out clean.
Recipe Variations
- If you don’t like molasses, use about ¾ cup of brown sugar in the apple pandowdy instead. If you choose this option, add about ⅓ cup of apple cider or juice to help create the syrup underneath.
- For a vanilla flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cake part of the apple pandowdy recipe.
- Add any other fall flavors that you’d like such as cloves, ginger or allspice.
Storage Instructions
Store any apple pan dowdy leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
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Apple Pandowdy Recipe
Old fashioned Apple Pandowdy is an apple cobbler-like dessert with molasses sweetened apples and a buttery rich topping.
Servings 10
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Ingredients
For the apples:
For the batter:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 215 grams
- 2 teaspoon baking powder aluminum free
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 grams
- ½ cup salted butter 4 ounces, melted
- ½ cup 2% milk 4 ounces
- 1 large egg whisked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 1 ½ quart baking dish or cast iron skillet with cooking spray. We used a 9" pie plate.
- Arrange the sliced apples in the baking dish. 3 cups peeled, sliced and cored Granny Smith apples
- Sprinkle the apples with nutmeg, cinnamon and salt over the apples. Drizzle evenly with molasses. ½ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup molasses
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the apples are baking, combine the flour, baking powder and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk well. 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour , 2 teaspoon baking powder, ½ cup granulated sugar
- Add in the melted butter, milk and whisked egg. Mix just until combined. Do not over mix. ½ cup salted butter, ½ cup 2% milk , 1 large egg
- After the apples have baked for 20 minutes, spoon the batter over the apples, then bake for another 20-25 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the topping comes out clean.
- Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Notes
- You don’t have to peel the apples if you don’t want to, but we recommend it.
- You can serve right from the dish, or you can turn it upside down onto a platter and serve with the apples on top.
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
- Recipe Source: The Fannie Farmer Cookbook
Nutrition
Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 415mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 344IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2mg
This was so good and easy to make. The top was moist and tender and delicious.
Do you know the song, “Shoofly Pie and Apple Pandowdy?” I never had any Apple Pandowdy but the song is really cute is at least 80years old. I plan to try your recipes; I like thew way you say it is’t pretty but it sure is good.