There’s nothing quite like the taste of a truly old fashioned peach cobbler. It’s the ultimate comfort food, a perfect blend of sweet, juicy peaches bubbling under a warm, buttery biscuit topping. This recipe isn’t about fancy techniques or complicated ingredients. It’s about simple, honest flavor that brings back memories of summer days and family gatherings. If you’re looking for a dessert that tastes like a warm hug, you’ve found it.
This is the classic, from-scratch recipe you’ve been searching for. The kind that fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and baked fruit. It’s perfect for potlucks, Sunday dinners, or anytime you need a dose of pure, delicious nostalgia.
Why This is the Best Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler Recipe
In a world of complex desserts, this recipe stands out for its beautiful simplicity. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Authentic Flavor: This recipe delivers that classic, true Southern peach cobbler taste with a simple, buttery biscuit crust, not a crumble or a pie topping.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need right in your pantry and fridge. No special trips to the store required.
- Foolproof Method: My step-by-step instructions guarantee a perfect, non-soggy cobbler with a golden-brown top every single time.
- Versatile: It works beautifully with fresh, canned, or frozen peaches, so you can enjoy it all year round.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this classic dessert to life.
- Peaches: The star of the show! Ripe, fresh peaches are best in season, but canned or frozen work wonderfully too.
- Butter: We use unsalted butter, melted in the pan to create a rich base that prevents the bottom from getting soggy.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for both the filling’s thickener and the biscuit topping.
- Sugar: We use granulated sugar for both the filling and the topping to add the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Milk: Whole milk gives the biscuit topping a rich, tender crumb.
- Baking Powder: This is the leavening agent that makes the topping light and fluffy.
- Spices: A simple mix of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg adds warmth and depth to the peach filling.
- Lemon Juice: A little bit of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor of the peaches and helps thicken the filling.
The Secret to a Perfect Cobbler (No Soggy Bottoms!)
The number one complaint about homemade cobbler is a soggy bottom. The traditional method used in this recipe solves that problem beautifully. By melting the butter in the baking dish first, then pouring the batter directly over the butter, you create a barrier. The batter starts to cook from the bottom up immediately.
When you add the peaches on top of the batter, they slowly sink as the biscuit topping rises and bakes around them. This results in a perfect texture: juicy, jammy fruit on the bottom and a perfectly cooked, golden fluffy biscuit topping.
Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler Recipe
Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler Recipe (Just Like Grandma’s)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a 9x13 inch baking dish and place it in the oven to melt completely while the oven preheats.
- In a medium bowl, combine the sliced peaches, 1/2 cup of sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir gently to coat and set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the milk and whisk until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.
- Carefully remove the hot dish with melted butter from the oven. Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon the peach mixture and any accumulated juices evenly over the batter. Do not stir.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is a deep golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the cobbler rest for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Don't Stir: Resisting the urge to stir the batter and peaches into the butter is key to the magic of this recipe. The batter will rise up around the peaches during baking, creating the perfect texture.
Follow these simple steps for a dessert that’s sure to impress. The total time is about an hour, making it an easy choice for any occasion.
Step 1: Prepare the Peach Filling
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place your stick of butter in a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a 10-inch cast-iron skillet) and put it in the oven to melt. While the butter is melting, prepare your peaches. In a medium bowl, gently toss the sliced peaches with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set this mixture aside.
Step 2: Make the Buttery Biscuit Topping
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the milk and whisk until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! A few small lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can make the topping tough.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Once the butter is fully melted, carefully remove the hot dish from the oven. Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter. Do not stir. Next, spoon the peach mixture evenly over the batter. Again, do not stir. The magic happens in the oven as the biscuit topping bakes up and around the fruit. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is a deep golden brown and the peach filling is hot and bubbly.
Tips for Success
A few simple tips can take your homemade cobbler from good to unforgettable.
- Use Ripe Peaches: If using fresh peaches, make sure they are ripe but still firm. This will give you the best flavor and texture without being overly mushy.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: For a tender, light biscuit topping, mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined.
- Let It Rest: Allow the cobbler to cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up properly.
Fresh, Canned, or Frozen Peaches?
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can make a delicious old fashioned peach cobbler any time of year. Here’s how to adapt for what you have on hand.
| Peach Type | Preparation Notes |
|---|---|
| Fresh Peaches | Ideal during peak season. Peel, pit, and slice them. This will give you the brightest, most authentic flavor. |
| Canned Peaches | A great time-saver! Be sure to use peaches packed in juice, not heavy syrup. Drain them very well to avoid a watery cobbler. You can find more tips on using canned peaches here. |
| Frozen Peaches | Excellent for the off-season. Thaw the peaches completely and drain off all excess liquid before mixing them with the sugar and spices. |
Serving and Storage
How to Serve Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is traditionally served warm, straight from the oven. The absolute best way to serve it is with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast of the warm, sweet cobbler and the cool, creamy ice cream is pure perfection. A dollop of fresh whipped cream is also a wonderful choice.
How to Store Leftovers
Let the cobbler cool completely. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Can You Freeze Peach Cobbler?
Yes, you can! To freeze, let the baked cobbler cool completely. Cover it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! For canned peaches, make sure to drain them very well to remove excess liquid. For frozen peaches, thaw them completely and drain off any accumulated juice before using. This recipe works beautifully with all three options.
The key is to toss the peaches with a thickener like flour or cornstarch and a bit of lemon juice before baking. The flour combines with the fruit juices as it bakes to create a thick, bubbly sauce instead of a watery filling.
Your cobbler is done when the fruit filling is hot and actively bubbling around the edges of the dish and the biscuit topping is a deep golden brown and cooked through in the center.
Let the cobbler cool completely, then cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. You can also store it at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
The main difference is the topping. A traditional cobbler, like this one, has a soft, biscuit-like topping that’s dropped onto the fruit. A crisp or crumble has a crunchy, streusel-like topping typically made with oats, flour, butter, and sugar.
The Perfect Summer Dessert
This old fashioned peach cobbler recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a tradition waiting to be shared. It’s simple, delicious, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. We hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as we do.
If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your beautiful creation on Pinterest!
