Peach Cobbler with Fresh Peaches
If your ideal Peach Cobbler involves fresh peaches and a LOT of cobbler topping, this is your recipe. The addition of orange zest and cinnamon gives it a warm, comforting flavor.
Homemade Peach Cobbler
There are thousands (millions?) of fresh peach cobbler recipes on the internet, but I couldn’t find a perfect one. So I set out to create it myself.
First of all, I like a very specific ratio of cobbler to peach. Which really just means I like a LOT of cobbler. This is NOT just a bowl of warm peaches with a few crumbles of topping. This is more like a half-and-half ratio of cobbler to peach, because isn’t that what we all really want?
Second, a shocking number of recipes don’t call for cinnamon. What? Why? A little cinnamon isn’t going to hurt anybody. In fact, the warm flavor is going to enhance the sweetness of the peaches.
The final two elements of my perfect homemade peach cobbler are maybe a bit specific to my taste, but I think you’ll enjoy them, too: orange zest, and sparkling sugar.
I add a pinch of orange zest to the cobbler for a bright note that really brings out the flavor of the peaches. And I finish my cobbler with a sprinkle of sparkling sugar and a trip to the broiler to ensure that every single bite has the most crispy, crunchy goodness possible.
Why you’ll love this Fresh Peach Cobbler
- We like a LOT of the cobbler topping around here, and we’re not sorry. Like, to the point where it’s almost half peaches, half topping. If this is your ideal cobbler, too, this is your recipe.
- Using fresh peaches makes all the difference! There’s a natural sweetness and juiciness that canned peaches just can’t match.
- The combination of warm, tender peaches and crisp buttery topping is so comforting and delicious.
Homemade Peach Cobbler ingredients
- peaches – you’ll need 3-1/2 pounds of peaches, which is about 8 medium peaches. Classic yellow peaches is what we’re using, but this cobbler is great with any variety of peach.
- light brown sugar – adds a molasses-like sweetness to the peaches.
- cornstarch – to thicken the peach juices and make them nice and saucy.
- unsalted butter – adds moisture and richness to the topping.
- flour – the base of the cobbler topping.
- granulated sugar – to sweeten the topping and give it a crisp texture.
- baking powder – the leavening agent that helps the topping rise and become fluffy.
- vanilla extract – enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
- cinnamon – a surprising number of cobbler recipes DON’T include cinnamon, but this recipe for peach cobbler definitely does. It adds a warm, spicy flavor that can’t be beat.
- orange zest – our secret ingredient that brightens the overall flavor.
- kosher salt – to balance the sweetness and keep you coming back for another bite.
- nonstick baking spray – to prevent the cobbler from sticking to the baking dish. You can also use softened butter for this.
- sparkling or Demerara sugar – an optional addition to add even more crunchy texture to the topping.
- ice cream and/or whipped cream – for serving. Optional but honestly kind of crucial for the overall experience.
How to make Peach Cobbler with Fresh Peaches
1. PREP. Preheat the oven, spray the baking dish with nonstick spray, and peel the peaches by following the directions in the section below titled “How to peel peaches for Fresh Peach Cobbler.”
2. SLICE. Cut the peeled peaches off of their pits in 4 big lobes from each peach, then cut each lobe in half.
3. TOSS. Place the peaches in the baking dish and toss with the brown sugar and cornstarch.
4. DOUGH. Microwave the butter until it is melted, then add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest and salt and mix with a fork until a shaggy dough forms.
5. CRUMBLE. Crumble the dough mixture over the peaches in a very casual way.
6. BAKE. Transfer the cobbler to the oven and bake until the cobbler is golden brown and bubbly around the sides.
7. BROIL. If desired, sprinkle the cobbler with sparkling sugar and place under the broiler until the top is lightly browned and crunchy, watching carefully.
8. SERVE. Remove the cobbler from the oven and let cool 15 minutes before serving with ice cream or whipped cream.
How to peel peaches for Fresh Peach Cobbler
1. PREP. Heat a large pot of water to boiling and fill a large bowl with ice water.
2. X MARKS THE SPOT. Use a paring knife to score a shallow “x” in the top and bottom of each peach.
3. BLANCH. Carefully place the peaches in the boiling water and cook 30 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to transfer the peaches to the ice water bath for 1 minute.
4. PEEL. Transfer the peaches to a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. Then, use your fingers to remove the peels from the peaches and discard the peels.
Fresh Peach Cobbler Recipe Home Chef Tips
- You want peaches that are ripe but still kind of firm for this recipe.
- If your peaches are underripe, I suggest omitting the cornstarch from the recipe below, as your peaches won’t be juicy enough to need to thicken the juices.
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Serving this Recipe for Peach Cobbler
Serve your peach cobbler warm, ideally fresh out of the oven (just let it rest 15 minutes or so first, so you don’t burn your mouth).
Pair it with a scoop (or two) of good vanilla ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate hot-cold dessert experience.
How to store Peach Cobbler with Fresh Peaches
Does peach cobbler need to be refrigerated?
Yes, fresh peach cobbler should be refrigerated if not eaten within 2 hours. Place the leftover cobbler in the fridge uncovered for a few hours until it is fully chilled, then cover it with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Can you freeze peach cobbler?
Yes, you can freeze homemade peach cobbler. Place the leftover cobbler in the fridge uncovered for a few hours until it is fully chilled, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
How to reheat peach cobbler
To reheat this recipe for peach cobbler, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight if it is frozen. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes or until it is heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
Peach Cobbler Recipe with Fresh Peaches FAQs
If peach cobbler is runny, your peaches might be overripe and too juicy. See “Fresh Peach Cobbler Recipe Home Chef Tips” in the blue box above to prevent this.
If your peaches are too firm, you can soften them by placing them in a paper bag for a day or two. To speed up the process, add an apple or banana to the bag, too.
A cobbler is done with the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
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Fresh Peach Cobbler Recipe
Ingredients
- Nonstick baking spray
- 8 yellow peaches (about 3-1/2 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 stick unsalted butter (8 tablespoons)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon grated orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons sparkling or Demerara sugar (optional)
- Vanilla ice cream and/or whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom and sides of 9 x 13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with baking spray. Heat large pot of water to boiling over high heat, and fill a large bowl with ice water.
- Use a paring knife to score a shallow “x” in the top and bottom of each peach.
- Carefully place peaches in boiling water and cook 30 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to transfer peaches to ice water for 1 minute.
- Transfer peaches to clean kitchen towel and pat dry. Then, use your fingers to remove peels from peaches and discard peels.
- Cut peaches off their pits in 4 big lobes from each peach, then cut each lobe in half.
- Place peaches in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle brown sugar and cornstarch over peaches and toss gently to combine.
- Cut butter into 8 pieces. Place in 4-cup measuring cup or other microwave-safe medium bowl and microwave 40 to 60 seconds or until butter is melted. Add flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest and salt to melted butter and mix with a fork until a shaggy dough forms.
- Crumble the dough mixture over the peaches in a very casual way.
- Transfer to oven and bake 40 minutes or until cobbler is golden brown and bubbly around the sides.
- If desired, sprinkle cobbler with sparkling sugar. Heat broiler to HIGH and place cobbler under broiler for 1 to 3 minutes until top is lightly browned and crunchy, watching carefully.
- Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes before serving with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
