If you’re on the hunt for a truly unforgettable dessert that sings with the flavors of summer, look no further than The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe. This dish brilliantly balances juicy, tender peaches with a delightfully crisp and cinnamon-spiced biscuit topping, creating a mouthwatering harmony of sweet and warm textures. Whether you’re serving it to family or sharing it with friends, this peach cobbler radiates cozy charm and Southern hospitality in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple but essential ingredients that each play a crucial role in delivering that perfect Southern peach cobbler experience. From the luscious frozen peaches that provide juicy sweetness to the mix of warm spices that deepen the flavor, each component is a small magic ingredient in this beloved classic.
- Frozen peaches (2 bags, 20 ounces each): These give you tender, fruity sweetness that’s ready year-round and easy to use.
- Granulated and brown sugar (various amounts): The combo adds sweetness with a hint of caramel notes from brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the fruit’s natural aroma and rounds out the flavor beautifully.
- Almond extract (½ teaspoon, optional): Adds a lovely nutty warmth that takes the cobbler to the next level.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg: Bring cozy spice that’s perfect for highlighting the peaches.
- Cornstarch (2 teaspoons): Thickens the peach filling so it isn’t runny, keeping every forkful delectable.
- Cream of tartar (1 teaspoon): Helps create the light texture in the dough topping.
- Unsalted butter (½ stick room temp + 1 stick cold): Adds richness to both the filling and the biscuit crust.
- Water (2 tablespoons warm + ¼ cup boiling): Essential for melding flavors and forming the dough.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon): Brightens the fruit and balances sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The base for your tender, biscuit-style topping.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Leavens the dough, giving it fluffy rise.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the sweet and savory notes.
- Sugar and cinnamon topping: A final sprinkle to create a beautifully caramelized crust.
How to Make The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Peach Base
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and spritz your baking dish with non-stick spray. Toss the frozen peaches with your sugars, extracts, spices, cornstarch, cream of tartar, butter, water, and lemon juice until everything is well combined. Cover this peachy mixture tightly with foil and let it bake for 20 minutes. This softens the peaches and melds those incredible flavors.
Step 2: Mix the Biscuit Topping
While your peaches bake, it’s time to whip up the dough. Combine flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and half your cinnamon into a large bowl. Then, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs—this step is key to that flaky, melt-in-your-mouth topping. Add boiling water and gently stir just until it comes together into a biscuit-like dough; don’t overmix or you’ll lose that tender texture.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
By now, the peaches have gotten all warm and fragrant. Remove the foil and spoon your dough in golf ball-sized dollops over the peach filling, making sure to leave some gaps so the dough cooks evenly. Sprinkle the dough with the remaining cinnamon mixed with sugar to get that gorgeous golden crust. Pop it back into the oven, uncovered, for 30 to 45 minutes until your cobbler is bubbling and the topping is a perfect golden brown.
How to Serve The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Garnishes
A scoop of vanilla ice cream is the classic partner for this cobbler, adding creamy coolness that beautifully contrasts with the warm fruit and crust. For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle with a bit of honey or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. Even a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans adds delightful crunch and a nutty depth.
Side Dishes
This peach cobbler shines on its own but pairs wonderfully with light, simple sides if you’re serving it as part of a bigger meal. Fresh fruit salads or a crisp green salad can balance the richness, while a cup of hot tea or freshly brewed coffee rounds out the experience perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving this at a gathering, consider baking the cobbler in individual ramekins for charming personal desserts. Or, for a crowd, present it straight from the baking dish and let everyone scoop their own portions, sharing in the warm, rustic delight. You can even get creative by layering the cobbler into a trifle dish with whipped cream for an elegant twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your cobbler tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, and reheating slices brings back that just-baked magic with ease.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully assembled cobbler before baking; just wrap it snugly in plastic and foil. When you’re ready, bake it straight from frozen but add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time. This way, you’ll always have The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe ready whenever a craving strikes.
Reheating
Warm individual portions in the microwave for about 30 seconds or gently reheat the entire cobbler in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps restore that perfect balance of a crisp crust and bubbling fruit filling.
FAQs
Can I use fresh peaches instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh peaches work wonderfully when they’re in season and ripe. Just peel and slice them, then adjust the sugar slightly depending on their sweetness to keep your cobbler perfectly balanced.
What can I substitute for cream of tartar?
If you don’t have cream of tartar on hand, you can replace it with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar to achieve similar dough texture and leavening.
Is almond extract necessary in this recipe?
Not at all, but it does add a lovely nutty warmth that enhances the peach flavor. If you’re sensitive to nuts or prefer to keep it simple, feel free to omit it.
How do I know when the cobbler is done baking?
Look for a crust that’s golden brown and fully cooked through, with bubbling peach filling peeking through. The biscuits should be firm but tender.
Can I make this cobbler gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring it has xanthan gum if needed to help bind the dough. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting and joyous about sharing The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe with loved ones. Its blend of sweet peaches, warm spices, and buttery biscuit topping makes it a dessert to return to time and again. Whether it’s a family dinner, a holiday gathering, or just because, I truly hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy every delightful bite as much as I do.
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The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Total Time: 50-60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
This Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe delivers a warm, comforting dessert featuring juicy peaches topped with a tender, cinnamon-spiced biscuit crust. Made with frozen peaches and a simple homemade cobbler dough, this classic Southern treat bakes to golden perfection and is perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Peach Filling
- 2 bags frozen peaches (20 ounces each)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ stick unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Cobbler Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (reserve ½ tablespoon for garnishing)
- 1 stick cold unsalted butter
- ¼ cup boiling hot water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (to dust top of cobbler)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray to prepare it for the peach filling.
- Prepare Peach Mixture: In the baking dish, combine frozen peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, cream of tartar, room temperature butter, water, and fresh lemon juice. Mix thoroughly to ensure even blending. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake Peaches: Place the covered dish in the oven and bake the peach mixture for 20 minutes. This helps release the juices and softens the peaches.
- Make Cobbler Dough Dry Mix: While the peaches are baking, in a large bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, both granulated and brown sugars, baking powder, salt, and ½ tablespoon cinnamon (reserve the other ½ tablespoon for later). Stir until combined.
- Cut in Butter: Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
- Add Boiling Water: Pour the boiling hot water over the flour-butter mixture, then stir gently just until a drop biscuit-like dough forms. Do not overmix to keep the dough tender.
- Top Peach Filling: Remove the baking dish with peaches from the oven. With a spoon, drop golf ball-sized dollops of the cobbler dough evenly over the peaches, leaving small gaps so the dough cooks through and the peaches remain visible.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Mix the reserved ½ tablespoon cinnamon with 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, then sprinkle this cinnamon sugar evenly over the dough dollops to add sweetness and a nice crust.
- Bake Cobbler: Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for 30-45 minutes. Check after 30 minutes; the cobbler is done when the crust is golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the cobbler to cool slightly, then serve warm. Enjoy this classic Southern peach cobbler as is or with vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Using frozen peaches makes this dessert convenient year-round without sacrificing flavor.
- The almond extract is optional but recommended for adding a subtle nutty aroma.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough to keep it tender and flaky.
- Adjust sugar amounts depending on peach sweetness and personal preference.
- This cobbler is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
