Old Fashioned Peach Cobbler

There’s something about a warm peach cobbler that just feels like home. This old fashioned peach cobbler is one of those simple desserts I keep coming back to.

The best part is how easy it is to make. You don’t need any fancy skills or special tools, just a baking dish and a few basic ingredients.

What I love most is the way the batter rises up and around the peaches while it bakes. It creates that soft, cakey top with sweet fruit tucked underneath.

You can use fresh peaches when they’re in season, or canned peaches when they’re not. Both work really well, so you can enjoy this recipe any time of year.

Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ve got a dessert everyone will ask for again.

Why You’ll Love It

Rich Peach Flavor – Sweet peaches, warm spices, lemon, and vanilla create a full, comforting flavor in every spoonful.

Wonderful Texture – Tender peaches sit beneath fluffy golden batter with buttery edges and a soft, cake-like center.

Perfectly Balanced Sweetness – Lemon juice brightens the sweet peaches, while cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth without overpowering them.

Classic Cobbler Topping – The batter rises around the peaches, creating the rustic golden topping that makes cobbler so satisfying.

Recipe Ingredients

For the Filling

• 6 cups Fresh Peaches, peeled and sliced (or two 29 oz cans, drained)
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

For the Batter

• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 tbsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Whole Milk

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Place the butter in a 9×13 inch baking dish and put it in the oven while it preheats so the butter melts. Remove once fully melted.

Step 2

In a bowl, toss the peach slices with the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Set aside and let the flavors come together.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the milk and whisk until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.

Step 4

Pour the batter directly over the melted butter in the baking dish. Do not stir them together.

Step 5

Spoon the seasoned peaches evenly over the batter. Again, do not stir. The batter will rise up and around the fruit as it bakes, creating the classic cobbler texture.

Step 6

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is deep golden brown and the batter has puffed up around the peaches. A toothpick inserted into the batter portion should come out clean.

Step 7

Let the cobbler cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. It is best served warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

My Tips

Choose Ripe but Firm Peaches

For the best texture, use peaches that smell sweet and give slightly when gently pressed. Very soft peaches release more liquid and can become too tender while the cobbler bakes.

Keep the peach pieces close to the same thickness, about 1/2 inch. This helps them soften evenly without some pieces becoming too soft before the others are ready.

Drain Canned Peaches Well

If you use canned peaches, let them drain in a strainer for at least 10 minutes. Extra liquid can make the bottom of the cobbler too wet and keep the batter from baking properly.

Peaches packed in juice work best here. If yours are packed in heavy syrup, reduce the sugar in the filling to 1/4 cup so the finished cobbler is not overly sweet.

Watch the Butter Closely

Remove the baking dish as soon as the butter is fully melted. If the butter stays in the oven too long, its flavor can change and the edges of the cobbler may become too dark before the center is ready.

Carefully tilt the dish so the melted butter covers the entire bottom. This gives the batter an even layer to bake in and helps create rich, golden edges.

More Recipes

• Brown Butter Apple Crumble Cake
• Caramel Pear Upside-Down Cake
• Peach Cobbler Cheesecake
• Southern Banana Pudding
• Strawberry Crumble Bars

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh peaches?

Yes, use two 29 ounce cans of sliced peaches and drain them very well before adding the sugar and spices. Peaches packed in juice give the most balanced sweetness, while peaches in syrup may make the filling sweeter.

If using peaches in syrup, you can reduce the filling sugar by 2 to 4 tablespoons if you prefer. Canned peaches are also a convenient option when fresh peaches are not in season.