Southern Peach Cobbler

There’s nothing quite like a warm Southern Peach Cobbler fresh from the oven. Unlike some peach cobblers made with a cake-like batter or biscuit topping that bakes into one solid layer, a true Southern-style peach cobbler is all about juicy, cinnamon-spiced peaches tucked beneath pockets of tender, buttery dough. As it bakes, the topping turns golden brown with crisp edges while soaking up just enough of the sweet peach juices to stay soft and fluffy underneath. Finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this is our favorite summer dessert for cookouts, family gatherings, and simply making the most of peach season! 

Why You’ll Love This Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe

Have an abundance of peaches from your local farmers’ market? This is the best way to use them up! A timeless dessert, this classic Southern peach cobbler recipe offers a whole lot to love. 

• Layered Flavor – The use of cinnamon and sugar gives every bite a sweet, subtly spiced taste that offers more depth than a standard cobbler and really enhances the fruity flavor. 
• Simple Ingredients – As long as you pick up some fresh peaches, the rest of the ingredients are super simple, everyday items you probably already have on hand. 
• Perfect for Sharing – With up to 8 servings, this is one dessert that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and backyard barbecues. 
• Quick & Easy – Prep time is minimal, and the steps are super simple. Just layer the ingredients, and let the oven do its thing. You’ll have a warm peach cobbler ready to eat in about an hour! 

Ingredients

Peach Filling

• Fresh Peaches – The star ingredient! Look for peaches that are fragrant and give just slightly when squeezed. 
• Sugar – This helps draw out the peaches’ natural juices as they bake and enhances the sweetness of the filling. 
• Cinnamon 
• Vanilla
• Lemon Juice – This brightens the filling and balances some of the sweetness. 
• Cornstarch – This thickens the liquid from the peaches, creating a syrupy consistency. 

Dough

• Sugar – We use a combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar to sweeten the dough, giving it structure while keeping it fairly soft and adding a subtle molasses flavor.
• Flour – All-purpose flour forms the base of the dough. Substitute a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour to keep the cobbler gluten-free. 
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Butter – Cold unsalted butter creates a flavorful, tender topping and contributes to the crisp, golden edges we want. 
• Milk – This helps combine the ingredients while keeping the dough tender. Full-fat milk will create the best taste and texture, but any cow’s milk or plant-based milk will work. 

Topping

• Cinnamon
• Sugar

How to Make Southern Peach Cobbler

One of the best things about cobblers of all kinds is how easy they are to make, and this one is no exception! All you need is a 9×13 baking dish or 12-inch cast-iron skillet and a large bowl. Here’s how to make a Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe: 

1. Prepare the filling – Add all the filling ingredients to a baking dish or cast-iron skillet, and toss to combine and coat the peaches. Then, spread the mixture in an even layer. 
2. Bake – Transfer the filling to the oven to bake and begin to soften the peaches. 
3. Make the topping – While the filling bakes, mix the dry ingredients for the dough in a bowl. Then, add the butter, and use a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingers to cut the butter into the mixture. You should end up with coarse, sand-like pieces! Slowly add the milk, mixing until you get a cohesive dough. 
4. Layer – Dollop spoonfuls of the dough over the peaches. Then, whisk the cinnamon sugar topping, and sprinkle it over the entire dish.
5. Bake – Transfer the cobbler back to the oven, and continue to bake until the dough is golden brown and the peaches are soft and almost syrupy. 
6. Serve – Let your peach cobbler rest at room temperature. Then, enjoy it warm, topped with vanilla ice cream! 

Tips

• Use ripe peaches. The sweeter and juicier your peaches are, the better your cobbler will taste. They should give slightly when gently squeezed but not be overly soft. Otherwise, they tend to become a little too mushy as they bake. 
• Don’t skip the par-bake. Baking the peaches before adding the dough gives them a head start, allowing them to become perfectly tender and release their juices before the topping bakes.
• Keep the butter cold. Cold butter creates a tender, flaky topping with delicious golden edges. If it starts to soften while you’re working, pop it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
• Don’t overmix the dough. Stir just until a cohesive dough forms. Overmixing can make the topping dense instead of light and tender.
• Leave gaps between the dough. Spoon the dough over the peaches rather than spreading it into one even layer. This allows the peach filling to bubble up around the topping for a classic Southern cobbler look.
• Let it rest before serving. Allow the cobbler to cool for about 10 minutes so the filling can thicken slightly, making it easier to scoop.

You’ll Also Love: Cinnamon Roll Peach Cobbler

Variations

• Add Nuts – Sprinkle chopped pecans over the dough before baking for extra crunch and nutty flavor, similar to a peach crisp. 
• Skip the Cinnamon Sugar Topping – Use coarse sanding sugar in place of the cinnamon sugar topping for an extra crisp, sparkly crust. 
• Use Frozen Peaches – If fresh peaches aren’t in season, frozen peaches work well, too. Just be sure to thaw and drain them first, and adjust the baking time if needed. 

How to Store

This Southern peach cobbler recipe is best served right away while it’s still warm. However, if needed, you can store or freeze leftovers for later. 

• Refrigerator: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. They will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the baked cobbler in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• To Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, or reheat the entire cobbler in the oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or just until it’s heated through.

More Summer Dessert Recipes

• Peach Dessert Empanadas
• Strawberry Icebox Cake
• Lemon Blackberry Cake
• Raspberry Cookies
• Lemon Meringue Pie
• Strawberry Scones

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