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
Scale
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.
