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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Recipes by Clare+1
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Stir in milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Mix just until combined — don’t overmix. Recipes by Clare+1
3. Layer with Bananas
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
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Arrange the banana slices over the batter, covering the surface. Slight overlap is fine.
4. Add Sweet Topping
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In a small bowl, combine cinnamon + brown sugar (or light sugar). Sprinkle evenly over the bananas. This gives a warm, sweet, slightly caramelized top as the cobbler bakes. Recipes by Clare+1
5. Bake until Golden & Set
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Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden, lightly crisp, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs). Recipes by Clare+1
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If desired, let it cool for 10–15 minutes before serving — this helps it set up, but warm is delicious too.
6. Serve & Enjoy
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Scoop warm cobbler into bowls or plates.
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For extra indulgence, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
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Optionally drizzle caramel sauce or sprinkle nuts for texture and flavor contrast.
Variations & Tips
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Cobbler‑style topping (with oats or crumble): If you prefer a more traditional “cobbler” texture (crisp or crumble on top), you can omit the simple cinnamon‑sugar topping and instead make a crumbly streusel with oats, flour, butter, brown sugar, and optional nuts — then sprinkle that over bananas before baking. This gives a more rustic cobbler finish. This method is similar to some Southern banana cobbler recipes that use streusel topping. The Country Cook+1
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Riper bananas = better flavor: Over‑ripe bananas (with brown spots) add natural sweetness and deeper banana flavor. Green or firm bananas don’t work as well. The Country Cook+1
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Serving warmth: Southern banana cobbler tastes especially good warm, fresh from the oven. Letting it rest a few minutes helps it set, but don’t let it get cold before serving.
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Make‑ahead & leftovers: You can bake it ahead, but storing with warm toppings (ice cream) is best. Reheat gently if desired — the banana filling and cake hold up well if covered and warmed slowly.
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Mix‑ins: Want extra flavor? Stir a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of bourbon into the batter. Add chopped pecans or walnuts on top for crunch. Some recipes even mix a bit of shredded coconut for texture.
Quick Reference Recipe Card
| ✅ | Southern Banana Cobbler |
|---|---|
| Servings | ~6–8 |
| Bake Temp | 350 °F (175 °C) |
| Bake Time | 40–45 min |
Ingredients
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4–5 ripe bananas, sliced
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1 cup all‑purpose flour
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 cup milk
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ tsp baking powder
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¼ tsp salt
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¼ cup brown sugar
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½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat oven & grease 9×13 pan.
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Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt.
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Add milk, melted butter, vanilla — mix.
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Pour into dish, layer bananas.
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Sprinkle cinnamon‑sugar on top.
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Bake 40–45 min until golden.
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Serve warm, with ice cream or whipped cream if you like.
Final Thoughts
This Southern Banana Cobbler brings that warm nostalgic comfort of Southern desserts — simple, homey, and soul‑soothing. It’s the kind of dessert that fills the kitchen with cozy aromas and invites requests for seconds.
Easy enough for a weeknight treat, special enough for family gatherings. Once you try it warm with ice cream melting into gooey banana and cake — you’ll know why it’s a classic.
