Nothing says comfort like a bubbling, golden-brown peach cobbler fresh out of the oven. This Southern Peach Cobbler brings you all the nostalgic flavors of the South, combining sweet, juicy peaches with warm spices, topped by a buttery, biscuit-style crust that is golden and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
This recipe is made easy with frozen peaches, meaning you can enjoy this Southern staple any time of year — summer when fresh peaches are abundant, or winter when you’re craving a sunny, fruity dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Peach Cobbler
- Simple ingredients with no complicated steps
- Incredible flavor from cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and a hint of almond
- Perfect texture: gooey peach base with biscuit-like topping
- Feeds a crowd, making it perfect for gatherings and holidays
- Uses frozen peaches for convenience and consistent results
Ingredients (Serves 8)
Peach Base:
- 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
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 topping)
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cold
- ¼ cup boiling hot water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Peach Mixture
In the prepared baking dish, combine the frozen peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, cream of tartar, butter, water, and lemon juice. Mix gently until everything is well coated.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes to help soften the peaches and meld the flavors.
Step 3: Make the Cobbler Topping
While the peaches bake, prepare the topping. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and ½ tablespoon of the cinnamon.
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Pour in the boiling water and stir gently until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms, similar to drop biscuits.
Step 4: Assemble the Cobbler
After 20 minutes, remove the peaches from the oven.
Using a spoon, drop small mounds of the biscuit dough across the top of the peach mixture, about the size of golf balls. Leave small gaps between the dough so the peach filling can bubble through.
Combine the remaining ½ tablespoon of cinnamon with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, then sprinkle it over the dough to give a sparkling, caramelized top.
Step 5: Bake
Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. The biscuit topping should be golden brown and the peach filling should be bubbling around the edges.
Check for doneness at the 30-minute mark to prevent overbaking.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the cobbler to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. The peach filling will be extremely hot straight out of the oven, and cooling gives it time to thicken.
Serve warm, plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.
Tips for Success
- Baking from frozen means no need to thaw the peaches — this prevents excess juice.
- Lemon juice brightens the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- The cream of tartar helps stabilize the peach syrup for a smooth, thick sauce.
- Leave gaps between the biscuit topping for the best texture.
- Use freshly grated nutmeg for even better spice flavor.
Variations
- Swap half the peaches for fresh blueberries or blackberries.
- Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon for a grown-up twist.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the biscuit topping for extra crunch.
- Make it a “crisp” by substituting the biscuit topping with an oat-based crumble.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a 300°F oven until warm and bubbly.
Avoid microwaving the cobbler if possible, since it can make the topping soggy.
Why This Peach Cobbler Works
This recipe honors everything great about Southern cobbler — a fruity, syrupy base with a thick, golden-brown biscuit topping. Warm spices, real vanilla, and a touch of almond make it irresistibly fragrant and flavorful.
Because it uses frozen peaches, you don’t have to wait for peach season to indulge. And with no fussy pie crust to roll out, it’s practically foolproof.
Perfect for These Occasions
- Sunday family dinners
- Summer BBQs
- Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert
- Church potlucks
- Anytime you need a cozy, comforting dessert
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for an old-fashioned, heartwarming dessert that will please a crowd, this Best Southern Peach Cobbler is guaranteed to become your new favorite. The combination of jammy peaches, a hint of cinnamon, and a golden biscuit topping is unbeatable.
Next time you need a no-fail dessert that feels like a warm hug, whip up this cobbler — and prepare for the compliments to roll in.
The Goods
The Best Southern Peach Cobbler
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Recipes
Peach Base:
- 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
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 topping
- 1 stick unsalted butter cold
- ¼ cup boiling hot water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Peach Mixture
- In the prepared baking dish, combine the frozen peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, cream of tartar, butter, water, and lemon juice. Mix gently until everything is well coated.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes to help soften the peaches and meld the flavors.
Step 3: Make the Cobbler Topping
- While the peaches bake, prepare the topping. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and ½ tablespoon of the cinnamon.
- Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Pour in the boiling water and stir gently until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms, similar to drop biscuits.
Step 4: Assemble the Cobbler
- After 20 minutes, remove the peaches from the oven.
- Using a spoon, drop small mounds of the biscuit dough across the top of the peach mixture, about the size of golf balls. Leave small gaps between the dough so the peach filling can bubble through.
- Combine the remaining ½ tablespoon of cinnamon with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, then sprinkle it over the dough to give a sparkling, caramelized top.
Step 5: Bake
- Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. The biscuit topping should be golden brown and the peach filling should be bubbling around the edges.
- Check for doneness at the 30-minute mark to prevent overbaking.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Allow the cobbler to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. The peach filling will be extremely hot straight out of the oven, and cooling gives it time to thicken.
- Serve warm, plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream for the ultimate comfort dessert.
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