Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate summer dessert! This peach cobbler with biscuit topping is a true Southern classic, bubbling with a sweet, juicy peach filling and topped with the most tender, fluffy buttermilk biscuits imaginable. It’s comfort food at its absolute finest, and this foolproof recipe makes it surprisingly simple to create from scratch.
Whether you’re using beautiful fresh peaches at their peak, or relying on the convenience of frozen or canned, this recipe delivers incredible results every time. Serve it warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Peach Cobbler Recipe
This isn’t just any cobbler recipe; it’s designed to be the best you’ve ever had. Here’s why it stands out:
- Perfectly Fluffy Biscuits: The buttermilk biscuit topping is light, tender, and never doughy. It bakes up golden brown with a sprinkle of sugar for a delightful crunch.
- No Soupy Filling: We use a touch of cornstarch to create a rich, bubbly, and perfectly thickened peach filling that clings to every bite.
- Versatile & Adaptable: This recipe works beautifully with fresh, frozen, or canned peaches, so you can enjoy it all year round.
*Incredibly Easy: The drop biscuit method means no rolling or cutting is required. Just mix and scoop!
The Perfect Biscuit Topping for Cobbler
What sets a truly memorable cobbler apart is the topping, and this biscuit topping is a winner. Unlike a cake-like batter or a crumble, a biscuit topping offers a delightful contrast in texture. It’s soft and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and soaks up the glorious peach juices from below.
The secret lies in two key ingredients: very cold butter and tangy buttermilk. The cold butter creates steam as it bakes, resulting in flaky layers, while buttermilk adds a slight tang and incredible tenderness that you just can’t get from regular milk. We drop the dough in rustic spoonfuls, which creates wonderful nooks and crannies for the cinnamon-sugar topping to settle into.
Key Ingredients for Success
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a show-stopping dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Juicy Peach Filling
- Peaches: Fresh yellow peaches are ideal for their flavor and texture. We’ll discuss how to adapt for frozen or canned peaches below.
- Brown & Granulated Sugar: A mix provides both deep molasses flavor and clean sweetness.
- Cornstarch: Our secret weapon to thicken the filling and prevent it from becoming watery.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavor of the peaches and balances the sweetness.
- Spices: A warm blend of cinnamon and nutmeg adds that classic, comforting aroma.
For the Fluffy Biscuit Topping
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our tender biscuits.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that makes the biscuits rise and become incredibly light.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s very cold! This is crucial for a flaky texture.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture, tang, and tenderness. Keep it cold until you’re ready to use it.
- Cinnamon Sugar: A simple sprinkle on top before baking creates a beautiful, crisp crust.
How to Make Peach Cobbler with Biscuit Topping
Making a stunning homemade peach cobbler with biscuit topping is easier than you think. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
Step 1: Prepare the Peach Filling
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced peaches with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until everything is evenly coated. Pour this mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish or a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and spread it into an even layer.
Step 2: Make the Biscuit Dough
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, a tablespoon of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir with a fork just until a shaggy, soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix!
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Using a large spoon or a cookie scoop, drop about 8-10 rustic mounds of the biscuit dough over the peach filling, spacing them evenly. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining tablespoon of sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the biscuit topping. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the peach filling is hot and bubbly and the biscuits are a deep golden brown and cooked through. Let the cobbler cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set up properly.
Tips for the Best Cobbler Every Time
- Use Cold Ingredients: For the flakiest, most tender biscuits, your butter and buttermilk must be very cold. This helps create steam pockets during baking, leading to a lighter texture.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Stir the biscuit dough only until it just comes together. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which will result in tough, dense biscuits.
- Let It Rest: Allowing the cobbler to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving is essential. This gives the juicy filling time to thicken up, so it’s not too runny when you scoop it out.
- Serve It Right: This cobbler is best served warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
Fresh, Frozen, or Canned Peaches?
You can make a fantastic peach cobbler year-round by adapting the recipe for different types of peaches. Here’s how:
| Peach Type | Preparation Notes |
|---|---|
| Fresh | The best choice during peak season. Peel and slice them about 1/2-inch thick. This is the standard for the recipe as written. |
| Frozen | Do not thaw! Use them straight from the freezer. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time. The filling might be slightly more juicy. |
| Canned | Drain them very well and pat them dry. Since they are often packed in syrup, consider reducing the sugar in the filling by about 1/4 cup, depending on your preference. For a great guide, check out this post on making peach cobbler with canned peaches. |
Variations and Substitutions
Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking!
- Add Bourbon: Add 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite bourbon to the peach filling for a rich, warm flavor note.
- Different Spices: Try adding a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for a different flavor profile.
- Cast-Iron Skillet: For a rustic presentation, try baking it in a cast-iron skillet. It creates wonderfully crisp edges.
- Other Fruits: This biscuit topping is fantastic over other fruits like blackberries, blueberries, or a mix of berries.
For a different take on this classic, you could also explore a classic Southern peach cobbler with a more cake-like topping.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
To Store: Cover the cooled cobbler tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The biscuit topping will soften over time.
To Reheat: For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This will help re-crisp the topping.
To Freeze: I do not recommend freezing the fully baked cobbler, as the biscuit topping can become soggy upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh!
Recipe for Peach Cobbler with Biscuit Topping
Peach Cobbler with Biscuit Topping (Fluffy & Foolproof!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the sliced peaches, brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss gently to coat.
- Pour the peach mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish or a 10-inch cast iron skillet and spread into an even layer.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 tablespoon of the remaining granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir with a fork just until a soft, shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Drop large spoonfuls of the biscuit dough over the peach filling, creating 8-10 mounds.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar with the 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over the biscuit dough.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through.
- Let the cobbler cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Do not overmix the biscuit dough; a few lumps are okay.
Letting the cobbler rest after baking is crucial for the filling to thicken properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! If using frozen peaches, do not thaw them first and add about 5-10 minutes to the bake time. If using canned peaches, drain them very well and consider reducing the sugar in the filling by about 1/4 cup, as they are often packed in sweet syrup.
While it’s traditional to peel peaches for a smoother texture, you can leave the skins on if you prefer. The skins will soften considerably during baking but may add a slightly chewy texture to the filling. It’s a matter of personal preference!
The biscuit topping is done when it’s a deep golden brown on top and feels firm to the touch. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of the largest biscuit; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet dough.
The main difference is the topping. A cobbler has a biscuit or cake-like batter topping. A crisp has a streusel-like topping that contains oats, which get crispy during baking. A crumble has a similar streusel topping but typically does not contain oats.
A soupy cobbler is usually caused by too much liquid from the peaches and not enough thickener. Our recipe uses cornstarch to create a perfectly thick, juicy filling. Also, be sure to let the cobbler rest for at least 15-20 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set.
Your New Favorite Summer Dessert
This peach cobbler with biscuit topping is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s the perfect sweet ending to a family dinner and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any summer gathering. I know you’ll love the combination of the jammy, spiced peaches and the cloud-like buttermilk biscuits.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation and tag me on Pinterest. Happy baking!
