Southern Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler is a traditional dessert in the south and all over the world. Made with warm, sweet peaches and a decadent cobbler style crust, it’s the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you use canned, frozen, or fresh peaches, learn how to make the best southern peach cobbler recipe!
If you’re craving juicy, sweetened and spiced peaches then you have to try this Peach Cobbler Stuffed French Toast for breakfast!
Peach cobbler brings back so many amazing memories for me. Living in the South for over 15 years, I was afforded the opportunity to eat some of the most amazing comfort food, and peach cobbler is one of my favorites.
About this peach cobbler recipe:
Since this cobbler recipe has been in my family for so long, I have learned to make it with my eyes closed! It is truly special to make a dessert from scratch, without having to worry about the outcome. Several generations of aunts and grandmas have helped perfect this treat.
Another one of my favorite cobbler recipes is Ree Drummond’s from the Pioneer Woman on the Food Network. One of the reasons it is my favorite is because she took a couple of easy shortcuts, using frozen peaches being one of them. We love ours with a lot of cobbler (crust) though!
How to make homemade peach cobbler:
This recipe calls for a bit more for the topping- because that’s the favorite part of peach cobbler in this house!
This easy peach cobbler recipe uses frozen peaches instead of fresh peaches. This simple swap cuts out a lot of time and labor. Fresh peaches can most certainly be substituted in place of the frozen, but I can assure you, this is just as tasty!
I have also made the recipe using canned peaches, but try to avoid the ones that are in heavy syrup. Even more important, do not use the ones that are made for “pie filling.”
The cobbler topping may or may not cover the entire dish. Nonetheless, it will spread out when it bakes. Top it with french vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate dessert.
My cobbler is too watery what do I do?
Using this recipe should ensure that the cobbler doesn’t come out too watery. Sometimes using fresh and frozen peaches will yield more juices than we want. With that said, the addition of cornstarch helps thicken the juices in this recipe.
Furthermore, baking the peaches prior to adding the cobbler topping will help gauge the viscosity of the peaches. If there is still too much liquid for your liking after it bakes, use a turkey baster to remove it, or gently pour it out. It is also important to remember that the cobbler will thicken up as it cools down.
Cobbler vs. pie crust vs. crumble:
A cobbler is a biscuit (bread) like texture. Cobbler is often used for deep dish style fruit desserts, such as this peach cobbler. The topping for the cobbler is a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar combined.
Pie crust is a dough that is formed and bakes completely. Most pies will have a crust on the bottom, and the top. The crust is typically more firm and crispy than that of a cobbler.
For crumbles, a streusel-like dough is formed and sprinkled on the top of a dessert. Typically crumbles are made with some sort of flour, sugar, butter, and sometimes oats or nuts.
Although all three types of toppings can be used for desserts, this particular variation uses the cobbler style topping. Although the photos may look like the topping is “crumbly,” it is in fact more of a biscuit/dough-like consistency.
How do you store and reheat the peach cobbler:
If (and when) our household has leftovers, we simply put them in an airtight container, or cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator. When it’s time to reheat, simply pop it in a microwave, in a safe dish of course, and reheat for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Can I use canned peaches instead of frozen?
Yes, you can! If you only have canned peaches on-hand, they will work just as well. Both frozen and canned peaches are perfect for when the fruit is out of season so can enjoy southern peach cobbler year-round.
The most important thing though, make sure that the peaches are in their own juices. Do not get the peaches for pie filling, or peaches in heavy syrup. If you get these types, it will drastically change the flavor of the peach cobbler.
Using fresh peaches:
Peaches are in season in the summer so they are prime for peach cobbler. Follow all of the steps exactly as shown. About three fresh peaches (depending on the size), are equal to about one pound of frozen peaches.
You will add an additional five to seven minutes to the pre bake time. This is t ensure that the peaches get nice and tender.
The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Ingredients
Peaches
- 2 bags Frozen peaches, 20 ounces each
- 1 cup Granulated sugar, (white sugar)
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond extract, (optional but recommended)
- 1/2 tablespoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons Corn starch
- 1 teaspoon Cream of tartar
- 1/2 stick Butter, unsalted, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 1 teaspoon Fresh lemon juice
Cobbler topping
- 2 cups All purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar, (white sugar)
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 tablespoon Cinnamon, reserve 1/2 for garnishment
- 1 stick Butter, unsalted cold
- 1/4 cup Boiling hot water, see notes
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar, to dust top of cobbler
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray. In the same dish, add the frozen peaches, white and brown sugars, vanilla and almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, corn starch, cream of tartar, butter, water, and lemon juice.
- Mix the peaches together with the ingredients until everything is fully combined. Cover the dish with foil and cook the mixture in the oven for 20 minutes.
- While peaches are cooking, combine the all purpose flour, both white and brown sugars, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 tablespoon of the cinnamon.
- Work the cold stick of butter into the flour mixture by breaking it up with a pastry cutter or with your hands. Work it in until it looks like coarse meal or crumbles.
- Add the hot water and stir together with a spoon until it's just combined. The cobbler should have a drop biscuit-like texture.
- Remove the peaches from the oven and spoon cobbler dough mixture over the peaches. Make each dough droplet about the size of a golf ball leaving a tiny bit of space between each one (see photo and notes below) to ensure they cook through.
- Peaches will not be fully covered. Combine sugar and and remaining 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture over dough.
- Place the dish back in the oven uncovered and cook for an additional 30-45 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Check on it after 30 minutes for doneness and remove it once the cobbler crust is golden brown and delicious. And enjoy!
Notes
Equipment
*VIDEO IS A SYNOPSIS OF THE RECIPE MEANT TO SHOW STEPS TAKEN- IT IS NOT THE FULL RECIPE.
This is the only peach cobbler recipe I’ve used for 2 years now. It’s my family’s absolute favorite and mine too. Have one in the oven right now!
I love to hear that! Thanks for sharing Staci 🙂
so if I use canned peaches do I still put it in the oven before I add the bread topping or is that only if they are fresh or frozen?
Only if they are fresh or frozen.
Delicious and easy to make
Glad you like it 🙂
This is a fabulous, easy and delicious recipe; easy too! My husband made several comments; he loved this recipe! That’s big!
Thank you!
This recipe looks delicious! Do you think this recipe would work if the peaches were replaced with frozen strawberries or blueberries?
Yes but the flavor may be much different because of the sugar and spices used for peaches.
I made your peach cobbler yesterday with my granddaughter and it was very good. I especially liked the drop biscuits on top. Soft inside and flavorful. I was expecting something dry and crumbly.
Hey Hilary!I love to hear that. Thank you for trying the recipe!
This sounds delicious. I’ve been looking for a recipe to try for my father-in-law, Peach Cobbler is his favorite. Is this something I can prep the night before and place in the oven the day of?
Yes you can prep it the night before. Just make sure everything is cooled, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake!
I just made this with fresh frozen peaches that had thawed in the refrigerator. Oh my gosh! This recipe was easy and tastes amazing. It’s the best recipe I’ve tried to date. I have made several different recipes for cobbler and by far, this is the best!
Yayy! I truly appreciate the feedback and positive review Vanessa! It’s definitely a family favorite 😋
This recipe was so delicious!!! Do you think I could can the filling via water bath?
I’m sure you can, I have not tried it though!
If using canned peaches, do you drain them first? Do you still use 20 ounces of the canned peaches?
Yes 20 ounce cans, and yes drain them first or it will be too watery.
I’m going to try your Peach Cobbler and will be using frozen peaches, I’m wondering do I defrost and rinse the peaches before I prepare for baking to help reduce liquid? You’ve mentioned liquid a few times and I’ll be making this in a limited timeframe, please advise regarding thawing and rinsing. Thank you, Pamela
Hey there! No you do not need to defrost them, rinsing is up to you. You can refer to the post above for more tips and pointers regarding this step. Look under section: My cobbler is too watery what do I do? I hope this helps!
Have been making this recipe for years now for my father in law who says it’s the best peach cobbler ever! It’s a true family favorite that I’ll make for years to come