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Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler

This old-fashioned peach cobbler recipe uses fresh peaches and a buttery cobbler topping that's made form scratch. It's a delicious summer dessert I've perfected over the years!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 2 Large Mixing Bowls
  • 1 2-Quart Baking Dish
  • 1 Pastry Blender or use fingertips
  • 1 Set of Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • 1 Vegetable Peeler

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 8 fresh peaches - peeled pitted and sliced into thin wedges
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter chilled and cut into small pieces
  • ¼ cup boiling water
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Combine peaches, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a large bowl; toss to coat evenly, and pour into a 2-quart baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Meanwhile, combine flour, 1/4 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Blend in butter with your fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until just combined. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Remove peaches from oven, and drop spoonfuls of topping over them. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Mix 3 tablespoons white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl; sprinkle over entire cobbler. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden, about 30 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Can you freeze peach cobbler? The answer is something of a mixed bag. You can freeze a cobbler, but depending on the nature of the crust, it may become soggy over time. If you prepare your cobbler and store it in the freezer until you want to bake it, the ingredients will remain in much better condition over time and the result will be better. Store a cobbler in the freezer for up to three months.
  • What are the best fresh peaches to bake with? "The easiest peaches to work with are known as freestone peaches," says Nicole McLaughlin (a.k.a. NicoleMcMom). A great variety of freestone peaches are Babcock peaches. A freestone peach means the peel with come free easier than from a clingstone peaches. Freestone and clingstone peaches are often advertised as semi-freestone or semi-clingstone peaches.
  • How do I keep peach cobbler from being runny? Besides the recommended use of cornstarch, there are a few tricks to be mindful of when creating a cobbler that is saucy and thick rather than runny. Using very ripe peaches will result in more juices, so in this instance, you may need to cook the cobbler a touch longer. Also, if you spread the batter over the peaches, rather than drop spoonfuls across the top, there may not be enough space for steam to escape.

Notes

For the best flavor and ease of preparation, always opt for ripe, freestone peaches. If your peaches are particularly juicy, a slight increase (1/2 tsp) in cornstarch can prevent a runny filling. When preparing the topping, ensure your butter is very cold and avoid overmixing the dough; this is crucial for achieving a tender, flaky texture. The initial bake of the peaches helps to concentrate their flavor and prevent a soggy topping. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the finished cobbler can beautifully enhance the sweetness. Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche.