​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Peach Cobbler Recipe: Easy Southern Dessert

There’s something magical about the aroma of peach cobbler bubbling in the oven on a warm summer evening. This beloved Southern dessert brings back memories of family gatherings, church potlucks, and the simple pleasure of perfectly ripe peaches transformed into golden, bubbly comfort food. When peach season arrives, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a homemade peach cobbler that captures all the sweet, juicy essence of summer in every spoonful.

This classic peach cobbler recipe strikes the perfect balance between tender, caramelized peaches and a golden, biscuit-like topping that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy within. The beauty lies in its simplicity – using fresh, seasonal ingredients that let the natural sweetness of peaches shine through while creating a dessert that feels both rustic and refined.

Ingredients

For the Peach Filling:

• 8 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (about 8-10 medium peaches)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Cobbler Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for sprinkling

Substitution Options: For gluten-free version, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Frozen peaches work when fresh aren’t available – just thaw and drain excess liquid. Coconut oil can replace butter for dairy-free needs, and almond milk works as a milk substitute.

Timing

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Baking Time: 45-50 minutes
• Cooling Time: 5-10 minutes

Time Management Tips: While the oven preheats, prepare your peach filling first, then make the topping. This dessert can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking. If making ahead, add an extra 5-10 minutes to baking time.

How to Make It

1. Prepare Your Oven and Peaches

Preheat your oven to 375°F and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. To easily peel peaches, blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then transfer to ice water. The skins will slip right off. Slice peaches into uniform wedges for even cooking.

2. Create the Peach Filling

In a large bowl, gently toss sliced peaches with both sugars, cornstarch, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. The mixture should coat the peaches evenly. Let this sit for 10 minutes to allow the peaches to release their natural juices and create a syrup.

3. Make the Cobbler Topping

In another bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. In a separate small bowl, whisk together milk and egg, then pour into the flour mixture. Stir just until combined – don’t overmix.

4. Assemble the Cobbler

Transfer the seasoned peaches and their juices to your prepared baking dish. Dot with small pieces of butter. Drop spoonfuls of the cobbler topping evenly over the peaches, leaving some gaps for the fruit to bubble through. Sprinkle the top with coarse sugar for extra crunch and golden color.

5. Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 45-50 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the peach juices are bubbling around the edges. The internal temperature should reach 200°F. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving (based on 12 servings):

• Calories: Approximately 285
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fat: 8g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 3g
• Vitamin C: Good source from fresh peaches
• Potassium: Moderate amount from peaches

This dessert provides natural fruit sugars, dietary fiber, and vitamin C from the peaches. The moderate portion of butter in the topping contributes to the satisfying texture while keeping the overall fat content reasonable for an occasional treat.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Reduce Sugar: Cut the sugar by one-third and add extra cinnamon and vanilla for sweetness perception. Very ripe peaches need less added sugar.

Whole Grain Option: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber and nutrients.

Lighter Topping: Use Greek yogurt in place of half the butter in the topping, or try a crumble topping with oats and nuts.

Natural Sweeteners: Substitute honey or maple syrup for half the granulated sugar, reducing the liquid in the topping slightly to compensate.

Portion Control: Serve smaller portions with a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of ice cream for added protein.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this peach cobbler warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For an elegant touch, drizzle with caramel sauce or serve alongside a glass of sweet tea or coffee.

Consider pairing with sharp cheddar cheese for a traditional Southern combination that balances the sweetness. For special occasions, a splash of bourbon whipped cream elevates this humble dessert to dinner party status.

The cobbler is equally delicious at room temperature and makes an excellent brunch addition alongside fresh coffee and bacon.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the Topping: Stir the cobbler dough just until ingredients come together. Overmixing creates tough, dense biscuits instead of tender, fluffy topping.

Using Underripe Peaches: Choose peaches that give slightly to gentle pressure and smell fragrant. Underripe fruit won’t break down properly and lacks sweetness.

Skipping the Cornstarch: This thickener prevents watery cobbler. Without it, your beautiful dessert becomes soupy.

Overcrowding the Topping: Leave gaps between spoonfuls of dough to allow steam to escape and fruit juices to bubble through attractively.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Refrigerator Storage: Cover leftover cobbler with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. It keeps for up to 4 days refrigerated.

Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or reheat the entire dish covered in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Freezing: Unbaked cobbler freezes well for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 15-20 minutes to cooking time. Baked cobbler can be frozen for 2 months but may lose some texture quality.

Make-Ahead: Assemble the cobbler up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Conclusion

This classic peach cobbler recipe embodies everything wonderful about summer desserts – it’s simple, satisfying, and showcases beautiful seasonal fruit at its peak. The combination of tender, spiced peaches with golden, biscuit-like topping creates a dessert that’s both comforting and impressive enough for company.

The forgiving nature of this recipe makes it perfect for beginner bakers while still delivering the homestyle results that experienced cooks crave. Don’t hesitate to make this your own by adjusting spices or trying different fruit combinations.

Grab those perfect peaches and create some sweet memories in your kitchen. We’d love to hear about your peach cobbler adventures and any creative variations you discover!

FAQs

Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Thaw frozen peaches completely and drain excess liquid before using. You may need to add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to account for additional moisture.

Why is my cobbler topping soggy?
Soggy topping usually results from too much moisture in the fruit or covering the dish while baking. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate and avoid covering during baking unless the top browns too quickly.

How do I know when the cobbler is done?
The topping should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched. The fruit juices should be bubbling around the edges, and a toothpick inserted in the topping should come out clean.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

What other fruits work in this recipe?
Apples, pears, berries, or stone fruits like plums work beautifully. Adjust sugar amounts based on fruit sweetness and add extra cornstarch for juicier fruits.

How far ahead can I prepare this?
Assemble the cobbler up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerate. You can also prepare the components separately and assemble just before baking.

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