Apple Cobbler with Dropped Cheddar Biscuit Topping

Description
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Ingredients

 * 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
 * 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
 * 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
 * 4 tablespoons butter
 * 10 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
 * 3 cups flour
 * 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
 * 1 tablespoon baking powder
 * 3/4 teaspoon salt
 * 3/4 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
 * 1 1/2 cups coarsely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
 * 1 cup buttermilk
 * 1 cup buttermilk

Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, lemon peel and cinnamon.

In a 12-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add half the apples; cook, stirring, 5 minutes, until tender. Gently stir into sugar mixture. Repeat process with remaining 2 tablespoons butter and apples. Transfer filling to a 13" x 9" baking dish; cover and keep warm.

In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, baking powder and salt. With a pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor-fashion, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in Cheddar and buttermilk. Turn dough onto a work surface (dough will be crumbly). Knead until dough is smooth and holds together.

Uncover filling. Drop dough by walnut-size pieces over apple mixture to cover; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Bake until filling is hot and bubbling and biscuits are golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Top with vanilla ice cream.