Peach cobbler is a classic dessert that brings together the sweet, juicy flavors of fresh peaches with a buttery, crumbly topping. This recipe is simple and straightforward, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. In this post, we’ll walk you through each step to ensure your peach cobbler turns out perfectly every time.
Why Peach Cobbler?
Peach cobbler is a beloved dessert because of its simplicity and the comfort it brings. The combination of peaches and a biscuit-like topping makes for a dessert that’s both warm and inviting. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or a casual weekend treat, peach cobbler is always a hit.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious peach cobbler:
For the Peach Filling
- Peaches: Fresh peaches are ideal, but if they’re not in season, frozen or canned peaches will work. Just make sure to drain them well.
- Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar: These sugars sweeten the peaches and create a syrupy filling.
- Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices add a warm, cozy flavor to the peaches.
- Lemon Juice: A bit of acidity from the lemon juice brightens up the flavor.
- Cornstarch: This thickens the peach filling so it’s not too runny.
For the Topping
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of our topping.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crispy topping.
- Baking Powder: Helps the topping rise.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps the topping become golden brown.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of flavor to the topping.
- Boiling Water: Helps to bring the topping together, creating a dough-like consistency.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Peaches
- Peel and Slice the Peaches: Start by peeling and slicing about 6-8 peaches, which should give you around 4 cups. If you’re using frozen or canned peaches, ensure they’re well-drained.
- Mix the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced peaches with 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Mix everything well until the peaches are evenly coated.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the peach mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
DOWAN Casserole Dish
- 9×13 Ceramic Baking Dish
- 4.2 Quarts Baking Pan with Handles
- Oven Safe and Durable
Making the Topping
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the mixture is crumbly.
- Add Boiling Water: Pour in 1/4 cup of boiling water and stir until just combined. This mixture will be thick and dough-like.
Assembling and Baking
- Top the Peaches: Drop spoonfuls of the topping mixture over the peaches. It doesn’t have to be perfect; part of the charm of a cobbler is its rustic look.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40-45 minutes. The cobbler is done when the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. This helps the filling set a bit. Serve warm, and if desired, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for an extra treat.
Tips for the Best Peach Cobbler
- Use Ripe Peaches: If you’re using fresh peaches, make sure they’re ripe for the best flavor. Ripe peaches will be slightly soft to the touch and very fragrant.
- Adjust Sugar to Taste: Depending on the sweetness of your peaches, you might want to adjust the amount of sugar in the filling. Taste the peaches before mixing to decide.
- Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: This ingredient helps thicken the peach filling, preventing it from being too runny. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can substitute it with an equal amount of all-purpose flour.
- Keep an Eye on the Oven: Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking your cobbler around the 35-minute mark to ensure it doesn’t overbake. The topping should be golden brown and the filling bubbling.
- Serve Warm: Peach cobbler is best served warm. If you make it ahead of time, reheat it gently in the oven before serving.
Variations and Add-Ons
While the classic peach cobbler is delicious on its own, you can easily customize it to suit your taste:
- Add Berries: Mix in some fresh or frozen berries with the peaches for a different flavor profile. Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries work well.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling for an extra layer of flavor.
- Nuts: Sprinkle some chopped pecans or almonds over the topping before baking for a crunchy texture.
- Oats: Mix some rolled oats into the topping for an oat cobbler variation.
Storing and Reheating
Storing
If you have leftovers, peach cobbler can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer the cobbler to an airtight container.
Reheating
To reheat, place the cobbler in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, but the topping may lose some of its crispiness.
Conclusion
Peach cobbler is a timeless dessert that’s both easy to make and incredibly satisfying. With a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a delicious treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the process of making this classic dessert and savor every bite with friends and family.
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Homemade Peach Cobbler
A simple and delicious homemade peach cobbler with a sweet, juicy filling and a buttery, crumbly topping.
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups peeled and sliced peaches (about 6–8 peaches)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
For the topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the peaches evenly.
- Pour the peach mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla extract until the mixture is crumbly.
- Add the boiling water to the topping mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of the topping mixture over the peaches.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbling.
- Allow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: desert
- Method: bake
