Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Sweet, sun-ripened peaches bubbling beneath a golden, buttery crust—there’s nothing quite like gathering friends and family for the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe. This dessert is a celebration of simple ingredients and Southern hospitality, with juicy fruit in every bite and a crisp, caramelized topping that brings everyone back for seconds. Whether you’re a seasoned home baker or just looking for a delicious weeknight treat, this is a peach cobbler you’ll want to make again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe is in its simplicity—just a handful of pantry staples and plenty of fresh peaches come together for a dreamy dessert. Every ingredient counts and contributes to this cobbler’s mouthwatering flavor, gorgeous color, and craveable crumbly texture.
- Ripe peaches: The soul of any Southern cobbler—choose fragrant, slightly soft fruit for peak flavor and vibrant color.
- Granulated sugar: Brings out the peaches’ natural sweetness and helps create a beautiful syrup as they bake.
- Brown sugar: Adds rich, caramel-like depth to the filling and a hint of molasses.
- Lemon juice: Brightens up the peaches and keeps their color fresh.
- Cinnamon: Lends that warm, spiced note classic to Southern desserts.
- Nutmeg: A little goes a long way—it rounds out the spice profile with earthy sweetness.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the juicy peach filling without weighing it down.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances every other flavor and balances sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cobbler topping, creating a tender, fluffy bite.
- Baking powder: Adds loft to the biscuit-style topping, so it rises beautifully over the bubbling fruit.
- Milk: Makes the topping batter smooth and enriches the crumb.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Gives the cobbler its rich flavor and helps crisp up the bottom and edges.
How to Make Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Start by peeling, pitting, and slicing your fresh peaches into thick wedges—aim for about 6 cups in total. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the peaches with granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Give everything a careful toss. This step is where the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe gets its signature, almost jammy fruit base, so be sure the peaches are evenly coated. Let the mixture sit while you move on to the topping—this helps draw out extra juices for that gorgeous, gooey syrup in the finished bake.
Step 2: Preheat and Butter the Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), then pour the melted unsalted butter directly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. There’s no need to grease the pan first—the butter does all the work, ensuring a golden, crisp bottom crust. This hands-off method allows the topping to magically float and rise up over the peaches as it bakes.
Step 3: Make the Topping Batter
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until combined. Add the milk and whisk until the batter is smooth, with no lumps. The consistency should be thinner than a cake batter but thicker than pancake batter, perfect for spreading over the bed of melted butter.
Step 4: Layer and Assemble
Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter in your baking dish—it will look like it’s floating, but don’t stir! Next, gently spoon the peach mixture (and every last bit of syrup!) onto the batter. Resist the urge to mix; the magic of the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe is in the layering—the batter rises up through the fruit and forms that signature golden top.
Step 5: Bake and Savor
Bake the assembled cobbler for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden and a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean. The bubbling fruit and crisp edges are your sign it’s ready! Let the cobbler cool for at least 10 minutes—the syrup will thicken as it stands, giving you swoon-worthy peachy spoonfuls every time.
How to Serve Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe

Garnishes
Serve the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe warm for maximum comfort. Add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream—both mellow the cobbler’s sweetness and melt throughout the nooks and crannies for extra decadence. For a finishing touch, a sprinkle of cinnamon or coarse sugar gives a touch of sparkle and crunch right before serving.
Side Dishes
Balance the cobbler’s sweetness with simple sides—a fresh fruit salad, tangy lemon sorbet, or a handful of toasted pecans. If you’re turning this into a celebratory meal, iced tea or strong southern coffee make ideal partners for each spoonful.
Creative Ways to Present
Wow your guests by making individual cobblers in ramekins, or assemble in a deep cast-iron skillet for rustic charm. For a fun twist, serve the cobbler chilled and layered with yogurt in parfait glasses—perfect for brunch or backyard get-togethers. The Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe truly shines on any occasion, whatever the format!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any remaining cobbler covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors deepen as it rests, making each bite after day one even more irresistible. Just be sure it’s tightly sealed to keep it from absorbing unwanted fridge odors.
Freezing
Want to enjoy a slice of summer sunshine in the winter? Let the cobbler cool completely, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To recapture that just-baked cobbler magic, reheat portions in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. For a quick fix, microwave individual servings for about 45 seconds—but the oven keeps the topping crisp! Top with your favorite ice cream for the ultimate treat.
FAQs
Can I use canned or frozen peaches for this recipe?
Absolutely! If fresh peaches are out of season, canned or frozen work beautifully in the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe. Drain canned peaches well and adjust the sugar depending on their sweetness, or thaw and blot frozen peaches dry before using.
Why shouldn’t I stir the batter and peaches together?
Resist the urge! Keeping the layers separate lets the topping rise through the fruit, creating that signature crust. Mixing them would turn your cobbler into a single, soggy layer rather than the classic two-layer Southern treat.
Can I make the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe gluten-free?
Yes—you can substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the topping. The results are nearly identical, especially if you use a 1:1 baking blend with xanthan gum.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely. Swap the milk for your favorite non-dairy milk (like almond, oat, or soy), and use vegan butter instead of regular butter. The cobbler will still bake up golden and delicious.
Why is my cobbler topping gummy or dense?
Typically, this happens if the butter and batter are stirred together, or if the fruit is too wet and not properly tossed in cornstarch. For the best results, follow the layering steps closely and make sure your peaches aren’t overly juicy going in.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing like the aroma of the Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe wafting through your kitchen—a true signal that dessert is about to steal the show. Whether you serve it warm from the oven or chilled on a summer’s day, it’s pure comfort in every golden bite. Grab some fresh peaches and start baking—you’ll bring a little bit of Southern magic to your table!
Print
Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting sweetness of this Best Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe that pairs juicy, spiced peaches with a buttery, golden topping. A classic dessert that’s perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 6–7 large ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced (about 6 cups)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- pinch of salt
For the topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine peaches, sugars, lemon juice, spices, cornstarch, and salt. Toss gently and set aside.
- Pour melted butter into a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and milk. Pour batter over melted butter without stirring. Spoon peach mixture over batter without stirring.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes. Serve warm, preferably with ice cream.
Notes
- You can use frozen or canned peaches when fresh are out of season—just adjust sugar based on sweetness.
- A sprinkle of coarse sugar over the top before baking adds extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg