Late summertime is when my diet becomes 90% peaches. My favorite peach variety is O’ Henry: these freestone peaches are big, beautiful, flavorful, and perfect for a classic peach cobbler. I love making cobbler because it’s a simple but delicious dessert, and it’s a wonderful way to use up the abundance of wonderful stone fruit that is in season. It’s quick, easy, and will always please a crowd. While this recipe only calls for peaches, feel free to experiment with other types of stone fruits in the filling, and even berries!
The best of peach season
It’s always hard for me to pick favorites, but if I absolutely had to, I think I’d have to say that peaches are my favorite fruit. This classic peach cobbler relies on the nostalgic flavor and impeccable sweetness of peak-season peaches to really carry the dessert. The fruit pairs perfectly with just a hint of warming spices, and some vanilla bean powder for a little extra nuance. When choosing your fresh peaches, look for ones that are a little bit soft, but not too squishy. They should give under your fingers when you press them, but not feel mushy. If you can find a freestone variety, those are easier to slice, but it is not integral to the recipe to use any specific variety.
I choose not to peel my peaches for cobblers, but if you prefer to, you absolutely can! You can do this by using a veggie peeler, or by blanching and shocking them in an ice bath.
If you are making this recipe out of season, or have a hard time accessing fresh peaches, you can also make it with frozen ones. Simply make a direct swap in terms of measurements and carry on with the recipe as written. You can also try experimenting with other types of stone fruits, or by adding in some berries!
What is a peach cobbler?
A cobbler is a type of very simple pie-like dish. It’s comprised of a fruit layer, and a biscuit like topping that resembles cobblestone streets. The fruit layer is generally very simple, and contains fruit, sugar, spices (in this case, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean), and some cornstarch to help thicken the liquids.
Cobblers are extremely easy to prepare, but are delicious and a great option for when you need a dessert for a large crowd. It tastes wonderful on its own, or served with vanilla ice cream.
How to make this classic peach cobbler
Like I said previously, making this classic peach cobbler is easy. Simply combine the sliced peaches, sugars, spices, and cornstarch in a bowl and set aside to macerate while you prepare the topping. Macerating is when something softens by sitting in a liquid. In this case, we are macerating the peaches in the sugar.
To make the cobbler topping, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, and whisk until thoroughly mixed. Add the butter, and using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the texture resembles fine sand. I personally prefer to use my hands for this, and do so by rubbing the butter coated in flour between my fingertips until it starts to break into smaller pieces. Once the butter is cut into the flour, add the water until it’s juuuuust mixed. No over mixing! If you over mix the cobbler batter, you will develop too much gluten, which will result in a tough topping.
Spoon the peach filling into a deep pie dish, and then add spoonfuls of the cobbler topping. For extra texture and sweetness, mix some coarse sugar and cinnamon together, and then sprinkle the whole cobbler with it before baking.
Tools you’ll need for this cobbler
Luckily, making a cobbler doesn’t require specialized tools. I recommend using a deep or large pie dish: I baked this in one that is about 10″, but you could also use one that is 9″ x 2″ deep. You could also use a 9 x 13″ baking dish, just be aware that you might get more caramelization due to the thinner layer of fruit.
How to store this cobbler
This peach cobbler will keep in the fridge for about 3 days. If it is particularly liquidy, I recommend straining off some of the liquid before storing (but don’t toss it! You can use this as a syrup or add it back to the cobbler when you are ready to enjoy). To reheat the cobbler, you can use a microwave, or heat in an oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
I hope you give this Classic Peach Cobbler a try! Be sure to tag me on instagram so I can see your bakes, and leave me a comment below! Your feedback helps other bakers who are giving this recipe a try, and I love hearing about your bakes!
