During peach season, on an almost weekly basis, you’ll see me whipping us tasty goods like peach ice cream, grilled peach burrata salad, peach crumble, and this Southern classic. There’s nothing quite like this easy, old-fashioned peach cobbler with fresh peaches. Not that I let the other seasons stop me from making a delicious homemade peach cobbler with canned peaches or frozen peaches, either! The combination of tender, jammy peaches, and fluffy, slightly crisp, cakey batter… pure deliciousness! Plus it’s also really simple to prepare with minimal ingredients, is a crowd-pleasing dessert for any event or special occasion (including potlucks and dinner parties), and is super versatile to boot. Along with the super easy old-fashioned peach cobbler recipe, there are tons of effortless ways to boost and adjust this recipe, too. Whether you want to add more fruit, extra spice, or even some cheeky alcohol. Keep reading for my favorite recipe variations. Best of all, for any families or gatherings catering to several dietary requirements, this easy peach cobbler recipe is versatile on that front too. With simple ingredient swaps, you can transform this recipe into a gluten-free, sugar-free, and even vegan peach cobbler to fit your needs! Looking for more ways to enjoy your summer peaches? Check out my simple peach recipes for peach lemonade or peach iced tea, peach simple syrup, or even use this summertime fruit for homemade peach roll-ups.
What Is Peach Cobbler?
A cobbler is a dessert with a fruity filling (traditionally apple, blackberry, or peach, though there are also savory versions) covered with cake batter or biscuit (scones in the UK) dough, and baked. When covered with rounds of dough and baked, the dessert is said to resemble a cobbled road (hence the name). Unsurprisingly, this peach cobbler recipe is made with peaches and is a popular Southern dessert (made with Georgia peaches in the South). For this version, I rely on a simple cake batter “topping” poured over melted butter and topped with plenty of cinnamon sugar. The result is sweet and jammy peaches surrounded by fluffy, delicious cake in every bite.
Peach Cobbler vs Peach Crisp
The main difference is in the type of topping – streusel-style vs biscuit-like dough. To learn more about the differences between a cobbler, crumble, and crisp, head over to my equally delicious peach crumble recipe!
The Peach Cobbler Ingredients
The best peach cobbler recipe requires just 10 easy-to-find, pantry-friendly ingredients.
The Simple Peach Cobbler Filling
The Peach Cobbler Crust
Flour: I use white all-purpose flour, though whole wheat flour should also work. Alternatively, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (like Bobs Red Mill or King Arthur’s) if necessary. Milk: Use dairy or dairy-free milk (check out how to make oat milk, homemade soy milk, and almond milk). Baking powder: This will help to leaven the peach cobbler topping for the best texture. Butter: Use dairy or dairy-free unsalted butter. Sugar: I use a combination of brown sugar (in the batter topping) and cinnamon sugar (to sprinkle).
What Else Could You Add?
Like any crumble or crisp, there are plenty of ways to adapt and adjust this easy recipe for peach crisp. Here are a few of my favorite options.
Nutmeg: Just a tiny pinch for extra warmth. Oddly, a mild chili powder also works amazingly in an old-fashioned peach cobbler. Fruit combinations: To find the best peach cobbler recipe for you, have fun with fruity combos. Strawberries peach cobbler (or raspberry) Blackberry peach cobbler Peach and blueberry cobbler Peach and rhubarb cobbler Bourbon peach cobbler: Add a splash of bourbon to the filling for more of an adult treat.
How To Make Peach Cobbler?
Step 1: How To Peel and Cut Peaches
First, slice a shallow X shape at the base end of each peach while you bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Working in small batches of 3-4 (depending on the pan size), add the peaches to the pan and allow them to boil for 30 seconds exactly. Then, immediately transfer them to an ice bath and allow them to cool for 3-5 minutes until you can handle them easily. Use your fingers to peel away the skin where it’s lifted at the X. It should peel right off, but you can use a knife to help with any stuck bits. After that, slice each peach in half, removing the pit, then slice each peach section in half another two times, so you have 8 slices per peach.
Step 2: Prepare the Fresh Peach Cobbler Filling
Transfer the peaches to a saucepan along with the sugar, salt, and lemon juice, and mix. Heat the mixture over medium heat, adding the cinnamon and cornstarch. Then cook, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves and the peach juices thicken into a sauce-like consistency. This should take just a few minutes. Then remove it from the heat and set it aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Cake Batter Topping
First, preheat the oven to 350ºF/175ºC. Then, sift the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add the milk and mix it to form a fairly runny batter.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Old-fashioned Peach Cobbler
Cube the butter and place it in your baking dish. I used a 12-inch (30 cm) round baking dish, but you can also use a 13×9 inches (33×23 cm) rectangular dish. Transfer the dish to the oven for a couple of minutes so the butter can melt. Then, remove it from the oven and pour the batter over the melted butter. Finally, spoon the peach filling over the batter (fruit and liquid – DON’T stir). Sprinkle it with the cinnamon sugar, and bake for around 40 minutes until the fruit is tender and bubbling and the batter has risen up and around it. You can optionally broil the cobbler at the end to caramelize the cinnamon sugar topping more. Remove the peach crumble from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
What To Serve With Peach Cobbler?
I love eating a portion of this regular or vegan peach cobbler warm, from the oven (though it tastes good at room temperature or chilled too), optionally with dairy or dairy-free/vegan:
A scoop of vanilla ice cream (or caramel ice cream). Custard, try homemade vanilla custard. Caramel sauce, try how to make homemade caramel sauce with just 4 ingredients. Whipped cream/whipped coconut cream.
How to Store Peach Cobbler
Store: You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days, or in the freezer for 3-4 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating. Reheat: Reheat it in the microwave (around 40-80 seconds per portion) or the oven (15- 20 minutes at 350ºF/180ºC) until warm. Cover it with tin foil if it browns too much. If you want to meal prep this fresh peach cobbler, prepare the filling and batter (minus the leavening agent) separately and store them in the fridge for a day or two. When you’re ready to assemble the cobbler, bring the ingredients back to room temperature, add the baking powder to the batter, and continue with the recipe.
Recipe Notes
Adjust the amount of sugar: Based on how sweet the peaches are and the type you’re using (fresh, canned, or frozen), adjust the amount of sugar added to the recipe. The same goes for the cinnamon: Adjust the amount based on how subtle or robust you wish the spice to be in the easy peach cobbler recipe. If the cobbler topping browns too quickly: Use foil to tent over the top as it bakes. This recipe works with other fruit: So, feel free to experiment with what’s in season. Such as berries, rhubarb, mango, etc.
More Summer Fruit Dessert Recipes
Watermelon Shaved Ice Strawberry Compote Recipe (Strawberry Topping) Quick and Easy Peach Dump Cake Watermelon Jello Slices The Best Blueberry Cobbler Recipe
If you try this quick and easy peach cobbler recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
