Classic Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Classic Southern Peach Cobbler is a warm, comforting dessert featuring juicy, cinnamon-spiced peaches baked under a golden, buttery batter. This timeless recipe uses fresh peaches and simple pantry ingredients to create a perfect balance of sweet fruit and tender cake, finished with an optional cinnamon-sugar topping for a delightful crunch. Ideal for family gatherings or cozy nights, it’s best served warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Peaches:
- 8 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (about 6–7 large peaches)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for peaches)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
For the Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for batter)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Optional Topping:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats up, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish or a deep ovenproof skillet and grease it with a little butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Peaches: In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches with 1 cup of sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch (if you’re using it). Stir gently to mix everything well. Let this sit for about 10 minutes so the flavors meld together and the peaches start to soften and release their juices.
- Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Slowly stir in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Finally, pour in the melted butter and stir just until everything is combined—be careful not to overmix!
- Assemble the Cobbler: Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Now, take that delicious peach mixture and spoon it evenly over the top of the batter. Don’t stir—trust the process, as the batter will rise around the peaches while it bakes.
- Add Optional Topping: If you like, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the peaches to add a sweet, crunchy layer on top. This is a nice little touch that elevates the cobbler even more!
- Bake: Place your cobbler in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
- Cool and Serve: Once out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, ideally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate treat!
Notes
- Peel peaches easily by blanching them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transferring them to ice water.
- Cornstarch is optional but helps thicken the peach filling for a less runny cobbler.
- Do not stir the batter and peaches together; layering ensures the batter rises around the fruit creating the classic cobbler texture.
- Let the cobbler cool slightly before serving to avoid burning and to allow flavors to set.
- For variation, add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the peach mixture for extra warmth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
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