Allergy friendly. cupcake happy!

Sometimes you need a super-simple dessert recipe. So easy that your husband could make it, right? If you are really short on time, you could just go buy a dessert for your dinner guests, but unless your local bakery or supermarket carries allergen-free baked goods, you may end up serving Oreos out of the package. Not a very elegant option (no offense, Nabisco).

So here’s my solution. A simple cobbler recipe. How simple? In a greased pan, layer fruit, cake mix and melted margarine. Bake. Done. Eat. No kidding!

This recipe worked out great for the family dinner we hosted on Christmas Eve. While we were busy preparing the rest of the meal, cleaning the house, setting the table, preparing cookies for Santa, and getting the kids and ourselves ready for Christmas Eve church service, it was nice to have go-to recipe that was super easy and delicious. It was a bonus that the apples we used for the cobbler came from our dinner guests’ autumn harvest (thanks Aunt Elaine and Uncle Ron!). Simplicity at its best!

Adapted from A. Liz Adventures

Dairy-Free, Egg-Free Fruit Cobbler

6 cups peeled and sliced apples (or other fruit)
1 package allergen-free yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines brand is dairy, egg and nut-free)
½ cup dairy-free margarine, melted (recommended: Earth Balance Soy-Free Vegan Buttery Spread)
Dairy-free ice cream, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 13×9 baking pan with allergen-free cooking spray.
2. Layer your apple slices (or other fruit) at the bottom of the pan.
3. Sprinkle the cake mix on top.
4. Pour non-dairy margarine evenly over the fruit and dry cake mix.
5. Bake 35-45 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
6. Serve warm, topped with non-dairy ice cream, if desired.

Baker’s notes: I defrosted the apples in the refrigerator the day before, and I rinsed and patted them dry before I made the cobbler (so yes, frozen fruit does work in this recipe). Also, if you have a small number of people to feed, make half the recipe in an 8 or 9-inch pan. You could even do a single-serving in a ramekin if you like!

Variation: After putting apples in the bottom of your pan, sprinkle evenly with some cinnamon and a handful of brown sugar. Put the cake mix and margarine on top. Once baked, you’ll have a caramel-like texture. So good!