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Published: Aug 27, 2020 · Last updated: Aug 31, 2020

Homemade Peach Cobbler

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Who says you need a mix to make an easy homemade peach cobbler? Skip the Bisquick and try this classic southern dessert from scratch using juicy fresh peaches.

I often forget that peaches grow as far north as they do. They're a fruit that belongs more to Georgia than Vermont. But the majority of the country's peaches come from California, not Georgia and definitely not Vermont. Nevertheless, they grow well here and we picked a satisfying half bushel of beautiful sweet yellow peaches at Champlain Orchards in Shoreham over the weekend.

picking the perfect peach

I like to pick peaches that are just a little under-ripe. That means they have only just the slightest give when you squeeze them in your hand. That way, they're not soft enough to easily bruise and it gives you a few days before needing to refrigerate. Peaches ripen at room temperature, though you could put them in a paper bag to speed up the process. Although they continue to ripen, peaches don't continue to sweeten after picking. Instead, a good way to determine the flavor of a peach is by its scent.

ripe vermont peaches on a tree at champlain orchards

Peaches may be associated with the south, but the peach is as much of a United States immigrant as the colonists were. The fruit originated in China thousands of years ago and only made its way here in the 17th century after transport from England. The first peaches grew in Virginia, with commercialization later spreading the trees to other states such as Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, and South Carolina.

When you want to use fresh-picked fruits like peaches to make an easy dessert, you have options. There are crisps, crumbles, Bettys, buckles, and cobblers, among others. All of these are variations of baked fruit dishes that are unfussy and focus on the flavor of the fruit rather than creating a perfect pastry. They’re all excellent options on a day of picking when you want to immediately use the ripest of your fruits.

A homemade peach cobbler sounds fun. But first...

what is a cobbler?

Cobblers originated from early American colonists who were looking to make fresh fruit dishes. They lacked the ingredients and often the means to make the pies and English puddings from home. So they improvised. Cobbler is literally cobbled together by putting fruit in a baking dish with pieces of dough scattered atop. This could then be baked right in the fire. Although they improvised at the time, the dish is now a popular dessert in the American South.

peaches in a pot with sugar and spices

I already had a reliable biscuit recipe, adapted from Alton Brown, and that’s the most important part of a good cobbler. A cobbler is simply biscuit dough that is placed over fruit. It bakes until the biscuits are golden and the fruit is juicy and that doesn’t take long.

I like the idea of a homemade peach cobbler with the complementing flavors of vanilla and honey. I added a fair amount of vanilla extract to the peaches and used a little honey liquor as well. But pure honey is just as good.

why you don't need a mix to make biscuits

I think mixes like Bisquick are never worth your time or money. Why? Because they're made with ingredients most people already have at home. Bisquick is essentially flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening. The only ingredient on that list I don't typically have is shortening. But I always have butter and vegetable oil and those do the job just fine, if not better. If you like the idea of having a mix to rely on when you're busy, you should try making your own mix, like this one from My Baking Addiction.

cutting out homemade biscuits with a glass

Cost comparisons also show that mixes don't really save money, either. As far as time, you're probably only saving a couple of minutes. For me, that's not worth sacrificing the quality you get when going the homemade route, whether you're making a cobbler, biscuits, pancakes, or anything else.

tips for a homemade peach cobber

Even if you typically use a mix, you'll find that this cobbler recipe is hard to mess up. Just keep a few things in mind:

  1. Make sure your butter, sour cream, and milk are as cold as possible, as this will help keep the butter solid and create a better-textured biscuit.
  2. You don’t need to knead the dough very much at all. Overworking the dough will create a tough biscuit. Just a few quick turns and folds are enough.
  3. As for the fruit, you can peel the peaches, if you like, but I didn’t feel the need.
  4. If your fruit is ripe and juicy and you're short on time, you can skip the step of pre-cooking the fruit on the stove. Instead, mix everything together in the baking dish before topping with the biscuit dough.
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Homemade Peach Cobbler


  • Author: Steve
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
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Description

Who says you need a mix to make an easy peach cobbler? Skip the Bisquick and try this classic southern dessert from scratch using juicy fresh peaches.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cold butter
  • ½ cup milk, plus 1 tablespoon
  • ½ cup sour cream or yogurt
  • 6 cups sliced peaches
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons honey liquor, brandy or honey
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and one tablespoon of the sugar. Add the butter, milk and sour cream and stir until you have a shaggy looking dough. Then use your hands to press it together. Dump the dough onto a floured counter and knead a few times until the dough is firm and keeps its shape. 

Pat the dough into a disc about one inch tall. Use a biscuit cutter, canning jar ring, or the rim of a glass or cup to cut the dough into seven rounds. Place the biscuits onto a baking sheet and place in the fridge while you prep the peaches.

In a medium pan, add the sliced peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, honey liquor, and lemon juice. Heat the pan over medium-low heat. Stir and heat the peaches until they start to release liquid and soften, about 5 minutes.

Pour the peaches and liquid into a large baking dish. Evenly space the biscuits over top then brush with the remaining tablespoon of milk and sprinkle over the remaining sugar. Place the dish in the oven with a baking sheet underneath, just in case it drips. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the biscuits are cooked through and golden brown.

Serve your cobbler warm, with vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream. 

 

  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: peaches, vanilla, cinnamon, honey, biscuits

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