Name: The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 2 bags frozen peaches (20 ounces each); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended); ½ tablespoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon nutmeg; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar; ½ stick unsalted butter, room temperature; 2 tablespoons water; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 tablespoon cinnamon (reserve ½ tablespoon for garnishing); 1 stick cold unsalted butter; ¼ cup boiling hot water; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (to dust top of cobbler)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Southern peach cobbler features juicy, flavorful peaches cooked with a blend of spices and sugars that enhance their natural sweetness. The cobbler topping is tender and flaky, with a biscuit-like texture that complements the fruit beautifully. Easy to prepare with frozen peaches, this recipe yields a comforting, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the peaches:

2 bags frozen peaches (20 ounces each)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
½ tablespoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
½ stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

For the cobbler topping:

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon (reserve ½ tablespoon for garnishing)
1 stick cold unsalted butter
¼ cup boiling hot water
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons granulated sugar (to dust top of cobbler)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
In the baking dish, combine frozen peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and almond extracts, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, cream of tartar, butter, water, and lemon juice. Mix well to combine. Cover with foil.
Bake peaches covered for 20 minutes.
While peaches bake, mix flour, both sugars, baking powder, salt, and ½ tablespoon cinnamon in a large bowl.
Cut cold butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or your hands until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Add boiling water and stir gently just until combined to form a drop biscuit-like dough.
Remove peaches from oven. Spoon cobbler dough in golf ball-sized dollops over the peaches, leaving small gaps to allow dough to cook through (the peaches won’t be fully covered).
Combine remaining ½ tablespoon cinnamon with 3 tablespoons sugar and sprinkle over the dough.
Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes, checking after 30 minutes. Remove when crust is golden brown and cooked through.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Servings and timing

Servings: 8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes (plus 20 minutes initial peach cooking)
Total time: 50 minutes

Variations

Use fresh peaches when in season for a fresher taste.
Add a splash of bourbon or vanilla bourbon for an adult twist.
Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Swap out almond extract for orange extract for a citrus note.
Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking for crunch.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover cobbler covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or enjoy chilled.

FAQs

Can I use fresh peaches instead of frozen?

Yes, peel and slice fresh peaches and adjust sugar to taste.

How do I prevent the crust from being soggy?

Leave space between dough dollops so they cook evenly and become golden.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.

Is almond extract necessary?

It’s optional but adds a nice depth and complements the peaches well.

How do I get the cobbler topping flaky?

Use cold butter and don’t overmix the dough.

Can I freeze peach cobbler?

Yes, freeze baked cobbler in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Substitute butter with dairy-free margarine and use a non-dairy milk for water (optional).

What’s the best way to serve?

Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

How sweet is this cobbler?

Sweet but balanced by the tartness of lemon and spices; adjust sugars to taste.

Can I add other fruits?

Yes, mix peaches with berries, apples, or cherries for a mixed fruit cobbler.

Conclusion

The Best Southern Peach Cobbler is a warm, comforting dessert that combines sweet, spiced peaches with a tender, biscuit-like crust. Simple to prepare and delightfully satisfying, it’s perfect for sharing at family dinners, holidays, or any time you crave a classic Southern treat.