As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to fall, our kitchens call for the warm, comforting aroma of baked goods. This Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler recipe is the answer to that call. It perfectly captures the essence of autumn in a single dish, combining a rich, gooey pumpkin filling with a delightfully crunchy, buttery pecan topping. Forget complicated pies; this cobbler delivers all the quintessential fall flavors in a simple, rustic, and utterly irresistible dessert that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why This Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another pumpkin dessert; it’s a game-changer for your holiday table or any cozy evening. What sets this Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler apart is its incredible texture contrast. The base is a smooth, perfectly spiced pumpkin layer, almost like a crustless pumpkin pie, while the top provides a satisfying crunch from toasted pecans and a sweet, buttery crumble. It’s incredibly easy to assemble, making it the perfect dessert for both novice bakers and seasoned pros looking for a quick and impressive treat.
The Key Ingredients for Your Cobbler
This recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a truly spectacular dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Pumpkin Filling
- Pumpkin Puree: The star of the show. Ensure you use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Evaporated Milk: This creates a rich, creamy texture that’s simply divine.
- Sugar: A mix of granulated and brown sugar provides the perfect sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Eggs: They bind the filling together, giving it a custard-like consistency.
- Spices: A classic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves gives this cobbler its signature warm spice flavor. A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors.
For the Crunchy Pecan Topping
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of our crumbly topping.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture, creating that irresistible chewy-crisp texture.
- Pecans: Roughly chopped for the best texture and nutty flavor.
- Butter: Cold, cubed butter is cut into the flour mixture to create a tender, biscuit-like topping.
- Cinnamon: A little extra spice in the topping ties everything together.
For a truly decadent experience, consider serving this cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm, spiced pumpkin and the cold, creamy ice cream is pure bliss. Looking for another show-stopping dessert? Try these amazing Pecan Pie Bars (coming soon).
How to Make the Perfect Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create a dessert that will fill your home with the incredible scent of fall.
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth and well-combined. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt, and whisk again until everything is fully incorporated.
- Pour into Dish: Pour the pumpkin mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the Pecans: Gently stir the chopped pecans into the crumb mixture.
- Assemble the Cobbler: Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the pumpkin filling in the baking dish.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the filling is set and the topping is golden brown and bubbly. You can check if the filling is set by inserting a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cobbler cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up properly.
Pro-Tips for a Flawless Cobbler Every Time
Want to guarantee your Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler is perfect? Follow these expert tips.
- Use Cold Butter: For the topping, make sure your butter is very cold. This is the secret to a light, crumbly, and tender topping rather than a dense, greasy one.
- Don’t Overmix the Filling: Whisk the filling ingredients until they are just combined. Overmixing can incorporate too much air, which can cause the filling to crack as it bakes.
- Toast the Pecans: For an even deeper, nuttier flavor, you can lightly toast the pecans in a dry skillet for 3-5 minutes before chopping them and adding them to the topping. If you love pecan desserts, you should also check out our Caramel Pecan Lasagna.
- Let It Rest: This is crucial! Letting the cobbler cool before serving allows the pumpkin filling to set properly, making it much easier to scoop and serve neat portions.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this classic recipe is a winner, you can easily customize it to your liking.
- Chocolate Chip Delight: Fold a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the pumpkin filling before baking for a decadent twist.
- Salted Caramel Drizzle: Once the cobbler is out of the oven, drizzle it with a generous amount of salted caramel sauce.
- Different Nuts: Not a fan of pecans? Walnuts or even sliced almonds would also work wonderfully in the topping. If you are a fan of almonds, you should check out these Almond Crescent Cookies.
- Cake Mix Shortcut: For an even easier “dump cake” style cobbler, you can substitute the topping ingredients with a box of yellow or spice cake mix, sprinkled over the filling and topped with melted butter and pecans.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler is best served warm, allowing the gooey center and crunchy topping to shine. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream is the perfect companion. For a tangy contrast, try a spoonful of crème fraîche.
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can enjoy it cold or reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Absolutely! You can bake the entire cobbler a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through, before serving.
Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin puree. Ensure it has a similar consistency to canned puree. If it’s too watery, you may need to cook it down slightly to remove excess moisture for the best filling texture.
Yes, if you have pumpkin pie spice, you can use it as a substitute for the individual spices. Use about 2.5 to 3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice in the filling for a similar flavor profile.
This cobbler is fantastic on its own, but it’s even better served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The topping will soften over time, but it will still be delicious. You can reheat it in the microwave or oven to warm it through.
Share Your Creation!
We are certain this Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler will become a new fall favorite in your home. It’s the perfect dessert to share with family and friends during Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or simply on a chilly evening. If you make this recipe, we would love to see it! Share a photo on Pinterest and tag us so we can see your beautiful creation.
Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler Recipe
Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler: The Ultimate Fall Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth. Whisk in the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it in using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gently stir the chopped pecans into the crumb mixture.
- Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the pumpkin filling.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, until the filling is set (a knife inserted in the center comes out clean) and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the cobbler cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
Notes
Tip 2: Let the cobbler rest after baking. This is essential for the filling to set properly for clean serving.
Tip 3: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate dessert experience.
