Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe

Few desserts capture the sweet, breezy essence of summer quite like Southern Peach Cobbler. This classic treat pairs golden, bubbling peaches with a warm, biscuit-like topping, creating a heavenly contrast of textures and flavors with every spoonful. Whether you’re craving comfort food or planning a festive gathering, Southern Peach Cobbler brings a taste of Southern hospitality to the table—hot, fragrant, and irresistibly inviting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s nothing fussy or overly complicated here—just simple staples working in harmony to deliver layers of flavor and nostalgia. Every ingredient in this Southern Peach Cobbler recipe serves a special purpose, from the juicy peaches to the buttery, cinnamon-swirled topping.

• Peaches: Use two 20-ounce bags of frozen peaches; they bring a vibrant, juicy base to the cobbler, making it easy to enjoy this treat year-round.
• Granulated sugar (white sugar): Adds sweetness and helps create a glossy, mouthwatering syrup with the peaches.
• Brown sugar: Offers a deeper, almost caramelized flavor that complements the fruit beautifully.
• Vanilla extract: Ever so gently boosts the natural fruitiness and provides a comforting aroma.
• Almond extract (optional but recommended): A dash of almond flavor makes the peaches pop and adds a sophisticated edge.
• Cinnamon: Brings out warmth, depth, and that classic cobbler comfort—save a bit for dusting the top!
• Nutmeg: A subtle addition, but it adds a fragrant, almost spiced bakery note to your cobbler.
• Corn starch: Thickens the peach mixture so it’s just the right amount of saucy.
• Cream of tartar: Gives the filling a gentle tang and helps stabilize the syrup.
• Butter (unsalted, room temperature): Enriches the peach layer and ties all the flavors together.
• Water: Just a splash to help the syrup form and prevent sticking.
• Fresh lemon juice: Balances the sweetness and brightens the whole dessert.
• All-purpose flour: For the irresistibly tender, drop-biscuit style cobbler topping.
• Baking powder: Gives those doughy drops a beautiful rise and fluffy crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and sharpens every flavor note.
• Butter (unsalted, cold): Cold butter is the secret to perfect, crumbly topping—don’t swap it for anything else!
• Boiling hot water: Brings the topping together and ensures it bakes up tender (don’t skip the boiling temperature!).
• Granulated sugar (for topping): Creates a caramelized, subtly crackly layer over the crust for that dreamy finish.

How to Make Southern Peach Cobbler

Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray for easy serving and clean-up. This step sets the stage for an effortless bake and ensures every luscious spoonful releases perfectly.

Step 2: Build the Peach Filling

Add your frozen peaches straight into the baking dish. Top them with the granulated and brown sugars, vanilla and almond extracts, cinnamon, nutmeg, corn starch, cream of tartar, room-temperature butter, water, and lemon juice. Mix everything right there in the dish until those peaches are beautifully coated and the sugar begins to dissolve, creating a fragrant, flavor-packed syrup.

Step 3: Bake the Fruit Base

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to trap all those juices and bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes. This softens the peaches and lets the aromas start wafting through your kitchen.

Step 4: Prepare the Cobbler Topping

While the peaches are baking, whisk together the all-purpose flour, both sugars, baking powder, salt, and half of the reserved cinnamon in a bowl. Cut the cold stick of butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter (or just use your cold hands), working it until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—this step is crucial for that authentic, rustic texture.

Step 5: Bring the Dough Together

Pour in the boiling hot water and gently stir until the topping just comes together. The mixture should be thick but sticky, resembling a loose biscuit dough—don’t overmix, or you’ll lose those tender crumbles!

Step 6: Dollop and Top the Cobbler

Carefully remove the peaches from the oven and spoon the cobbler dough over the fruit in golf ball–sized mounds, leaving a little space between each so the heat can circulate and the topping bakes evenly. The peaches won’t be fully covered, but that’s exactly what you want—the gaps let the bubbling fruit peek through.

Step 7: Cinnamon-Sugar Finish

Mix the remaining cinnamon with the granulated sugar and sprinkle over the doughy topping. This step adds a beautiful, caramelized crunch to every bite.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30–45 minutes. Watch as your Southern Peach Cobbler transforms—the topping turns golden brown, and the peach filling begins to bubble around the edges. Start checking around 30 minutes; the cobbler is ready when the crust is perfectly crisp and golden.

How to Serve Southern Peach Cobbler

Garnishes

Nothing completes Southern Peach Cobbler quite like a flurry of simple garnishes. Try a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream right on top—the coolness melts into the warm fruit and crumb and takes this dessert from lovely to legendary. For a fresh touch, sprinkle on a few sliced almonds or a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving.

Side Dishes

This dessert holds its own, but if you’re planning a spread, pair your Southern Peach Cobbler with lemony iced tea, a bowl of fresh berries, or even a crisp green salad for contrast. For something really nostalgic, serve it after a classic Southern meal of fried chicken or barbecue—you’ll create a real crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

Make your Southern Peach Cobbler the star of the show with mini ramekin servings for individual flair or scoop generous portions into mason jars for outdoor picnics and barbecues. If you’re after a rustic look, try serving straight from the baking dish family-style, inviting guests to dig in for second helpings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, cover your baking dish tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Southern Peach Cobbler keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Pro tip: separating the topping from the fruit can help preserve that lovely crust if you’re planning to enjoy it over several days.

Freezing

Southern Peach Cobbler is wonderfully freezer-friendly! After baking and cooling completely, wrap the dish well in plastic wrap and foil or portion servings into freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, simply pop the cobbler (uncovered) into a 350-degree oven for about 15–20 minutes until warmed through and the crust rejuvenates its crispy edge. For single servings, a quick zap in the microwave works, though the oven yields the best texture.

FAQs

Can I use fresh peaches instead of frozen?

Absolutely! If you can get your hands on ripe, juicy fresh peaches, peel and slice them before adding to the recipe. About 5–6 cups will do the trick and may make the flavor even brighter in your Southern Peach Cobbler.

What can I substitute for almond extract?

If almond extract isn’t your thing or you don’t have any, you can simply leave it out. The cobbler will still deliver that classic, sweet flavor, but you could also try a splash of bourbon or extra vanilla extract for a fun twist.

How do I know when my cobbler is done?

Keep an eye on the topping! It should be golden brown and crisp, with peach syrup bubbling up around the edges. A toothpick inserted into the biscuit topping should come out clean with no raw dough.

Is this recipe suitable for vegans?

Southern Peach Cobbler is easy to make vegan—just swap the butter for a good plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy milk mixed with lemon juice in place of the water for flavor in the dough. Check your sugars to ensure they’re vegan, and you’re good to go!

Do I need to thaw the frozen peaches?

Nope—use the peaches straight from the freezer! The slight chill actually helps them hold their shape and creates a beautifully juicy syrup as they bake with the sugars and aromatics.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like baking and sharing a bubbling dish of Southern Peach Cobbler with friends or family. It’s impossibly simple, endlessly customizable, and always met with happy smiles. If you haven’t tried it yet, this recipe just might become your own treasured tradition—don’t wait for summer to whip one up!

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