Step 1

Prepare the Cobbler Filling: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss together apples, brown sugar, and flour in a large bowl. Melt butter in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add apple mixture (skillet will be very full), and cook, stirring often, until apples are almost tender and syrup thickens, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Remove apple mixture from heat; stir in Slow-Cooker Apple Butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes, placing a baking sheet on oven rack directly below skillet to catch any drips.

Step 3

Prepare the Drop Biscuits: While the Cobbler Filling bakes, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender or fork, cut butter into flour mixture until texture resembles coarse meal with some pea-size pieces.

Step 4

Stir in milk with a fork just until mixture is evenly moistened. Remove Cobbler Filling from oven, and scoop dough into 8 (about ⅓ cup) mounds on top, spacing about 2 inches apart. Brush dough mounds with melted butter; sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Return to oven; bake at 425°F until biscuits are golden brown and cobbler is bubbly, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove to a wire rack, and let stand 20 minutes. Serve warm.