Classic Southern Peach Cobbler

Fresh, juicy peaches, sweet, tender cake topping, and a hint of cardamom make this scrumptious Southern Peach Cobbler recipe a summertime favorite.

Jump to:

• What is Southern Peach Cobbler?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make this Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
• Sweet Tip: How to Adjust Sugar to Your Taste
• Variations to Try
• Storage & Reheating Tips
• More Fresh Fruit Recipes You'll Love
• What to Serve with Peach Cobbler
• Southern Peach Cobbler

What is Southern Peach Cobbler?

This Southern peach cobbler recipe is the best of both worlds - a tender, juicy cross between a fruit-packed Northern cobbler and a soft, cake-like New England buckle. The result? Buttery golden edges, sweet peach filling, and a light, tender top that almost melts into the fruit.

A Tale of Three Cobblers: Northern, Buckle, and Southern

Northern-style peach cobblers usually lean heavily on the fruit, with a biscuit-like topping baked on top. The dough puffs into a fluffy, scone-like crust that sits above the filling. In contrast, a New England buckle flips the ratio - the cake batter goes into the pan first, the fruit is scattered over the top, and the two bake together into a tender cake dotted with pockets of fruit.

Southern-style peach cobbler borrows from both traditions. Like a Northern cobbler, it's full of juicy peaches. But instead of biscuit dough, the fruit is poured over a thin, sweet batter. As it bakes, the batter rises to the top like a buckle, surrounding the fruit with a tender, golden crust. It's rustic, fragrant, and absolutely fabulous.

Ingredients You'll Need

Cardamom and peaches were made for one another! The addition of cardamom gives this easy Peach Cobbler recipe a hint of gentle spiced warmth, enhancing the natural flavors of the peaches.

• Peaches: We recommend fresh, ripe peaches whenever possible for the best flavor and texture. However, canned peaches work well too-just make sure they're at room temperature before using.
• Granulated Sugar: Use regular white granulated sugar to sweeten the peaches and batter.
• Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a subtle molasses note that complements the peaches perfectly.
• Spices: Ground cardamom adds warmth and a hint of floral complexity, but cinnamon is a classic and delicious alternative if you prefer.
• Butter: Either salted or unsalted butter works-just use good quality for the best flavor and texture.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe. We haven't tested it with alternative flours yet.
• Baking Powder: Fresh baking powder helps the batter rise nicely. If you don't have any on hand, it's easy to make a substitute at home.
• Salt: Kosher salt is our choice for balanced seasoning, but table salt works fine-just use a little less.
• Egg: Use one large egg (USDA large or EU medium size) to enrich the batter.
• Milk: Whole milk gives the creamiest batter, but low-fat or dairy alternatives will work if needed.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Choose the Best Peaches

For the most flavorful Southern peach cobbler, start with the best fruit you can find. Fresh, ripe peaches will make the filling naturally sweet and aromatic without needing loads of extra sugar.

Target peach season. Peach season peaks in mid-to-late summer, though local timing can vary. Farmers' markets are often your best source for truly ripe fruit.

Test for ripeness. Gently hold the peach in your palm and give it a light squeeze - it should yield slightly (like a ripe mango) but not feel mushy. It should also smell fresh and peachy.

When choosing peaches for cobbler, avoid:

• Hard or under ripe fruit. You can ripen under ripe peaches by placing them in a paper bag at room temperature for a day or two.
• Overripe fruit: Very soft peaches are perfect for jams or sauces, but they may break down too much during baking to be used in a cobbler.
• Damaged fruit: Pass on any peaches with bruises or blemishes, as they ripen unevenly, and may not be suitable for cobbler.

Fresh vs. Canned (or Frozen) Peaches

You can make peach cobbler year-round by swapping in canned or frozen fruit when fresh isn't available.

• Fresh peaches: Ideal when in season, offering the brightest flavor and juiciest texture. Peel them for a smoother filling, or leave the skins on for extra color and a little rustic charm.
• Canned peaches: Convenient and consistent. Be sure to drain them well, and if they're packed in syrup, reduce the sugar in the recipe slightly to balance the sweetness.
• Frozen peaches: A great stand-in for fresh. Use them straight from the freezer - thawing first can make them watery.

Pro Tip: No matter which type you choose, always taste the fruit before baking. Peaches can vary in sweetness, and a quick taste lets you adjust the sugar so your cobbler comes out just right.

How to Make this Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe

Peel peaches if desired. Slice into roughly even slices (about 8-10 per peach). Measure out 4-5 cups of sliced peaches. Keep any liquid that accumulates.

Fresh Peaches: Place sliced peaches and accumulated liquid, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, and ¼ teaspoon cardamom in a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine.

Canned Peaches: Do not drain peaches; you will use the liquid. For peaches in heavy syrup, fold in a ¼ teaspoon of cardamom. For peaches in light syrup, fold in 2 tablespoons brown sugar and a ¼ teaspoon of cardamom.

Set aside.

Peaches must be room temperature (or warmer) before proceeding.

Preheat oven to 350℉ (177℃). Slice butter and place in a 9x13 glass baking dish. Place the baking dish in the oven while it preheats.

Remove baking dish from oven when all the butter has melted.

Mix the batter while the butter is melting in the oven.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, ¼ cup each sugar and brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cardamom, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mix-and-pour bowl, beat the egg, and then whisk in the milk.

Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the mixture is smooth.

Slowly pour the batter in over the melted butter in thin ribbons, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Use a spatula only as necessary to distribute the batter evenly. (Avoid stirring. It's totally fine for the batter to have little holes in it. )

The baking dish with the melted butter should still be very warm when you pour in the batter; 5-10 minutes out of the oven is perfect. Do not pour the batter into bubbling butter - the pan will be too hot.

Carefully spoon the prepared peaches and any accumulated juice evenly over the top over the top of the batter.

(Canned peaches only: Use up to ¾ cup of the peach liquid.)

Bake at 350℉ (177℃) for 45-55 minutes. The batter will rise to the top during baking, surrounding the fruit. Bake until the top is light golden brown and the center bounces back when gently pressed.

Serve warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Sweet Tip: How to Adjust Sugar to Your Taste

The sweetness of a cobbler depends on several factors - the ripeness and natural sugar content of the fruit, how you plan to serve it, and your own taste preferences. You can easily adjust this recipe to match your ideal balance.

Peaches

• If your peaches are very ripe and naturally sweet - or you prefer desserts that are less sugary - reduce the granulated sugar in the peach filling by 2 tablespoons.
• If your peaches are on the tart side - or you like a sweeter dessert - increase the brown sugar in the filling by 2 tablespoons.

Cobbler Batter

When we developed this recipe, we assumed it would often be served with ice cream, which naturally adds extra sweetness. To keep the dessert balanced and avoid it becoming overly sugary, we kept the batter's sweetness closer to that of a sweet biscuit or scone. The result is a tender, golden crust that complements rather than overpowers the peaches.

If you prefer your cobbler on the sweeter side, simply add 1 tablespoon each of granulated sugar and brown sugar to the batter.

Variations to Try

Use berries to create delicious seasonal variations for this cobbler recipe. For example:

• Peach & Raspberry Cobbler: Sub in raspberries for 1 cup of the peaches.
• Peach & Blueberry Cobbler: Sub in blueberries for 1 cup of the peaches.

You get the idea. Don't substitute for more than a cup of the peaches, or your cobbler may turn out too dry.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Storing Peach Cobbler: Once baked, let the cobbler cool to room temperature. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheating Peach Cobbler: For the best texture, reheat in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. Individual portions can be microwaved for 20-30 seconds, though the topping may lose some crispness.

Freezing Peach Cobbler: Baked peach cobbler freezes well. Once cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, or store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven to restore its texture. 

More Fresh Fruit Recipes You'll Love

If you enjoy the sweet, comforting flavors of peach cobbler, you'll also love these fresh fruit desserts perfect for any season. Try a fresh peach custard tart for a creamy, elegant twist on summer peaches, or bake a blueberry buckle - a tender cake bursting with juicy berries.

For breakfast or snack time, blueberry banana muffins are moist and naturally sweet, while easy apple strudel offers a flaky, spiced delight that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea.

If you're craving a classic, you can't go wrong with an old-fashioned rhubarb pie or a classic blueberry pie, both brimming with bright, tangy fruit. And for a lighter, luscious finish, try a strawberry cream pie - a perfect way to showcase ripe, juicy berries.

Each recipe highlights fresh fruit at its best, just like this Southern peach cobbler.

What to Serve with Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler is best served warm, straight from the oven, with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream on the side - the classic pairing that never fails. The cold, smooth ice cream contrasts perfectly with the cobbler's tender, juicy fruit and golden crust.

Check out our selection of homemade ice cream recipes:

But don't stop there! Here are a few more ways to elevate your peach cobbler:

• whipped cream - Light and airy, it adds a gentle creaminess without overpowering the peaches.
• mascarpone or clotted cream - Rich and silky, these make a luxurious topping that pairs beautifully with warm fruit desserts.
• caramel or butterscotch drizzle - A touch of sticky sweetness adds depth and complexity.
• Greek yogurt or crème fraîche - For a tangy twist that balances the cobbler's sweetness.

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