I can’t believe I’ve left you high and dry for this many years of blogging without a classic and delicious peach cobbler recipe. I hope you can forgive me. Perhaps peach cobbler can heal all hurt feelings?

This is my favorite version thanks to my sister’s neighbor in Montana, Debbie, who passed on this recipe years ago. The original recipe has a fruit filling that is quite different than my version below (incorporates blueberries and requires cooking the filling prior to baking) but it’s the topping that sold me. Tender and fluffy and buttery with just the right hint of sweetness. Yum. Cobbler topping forever.

I know there are about one million three hundred and forty seven variations of fruit cobblers hanging around. But peach will always be my favorite. Always. Peach and cobbler just belong together and this very classic, very delicious, very simple version is the one in my “favorites” folder.

And just in case you are new to the world of cobblers in general, don’t even think of serving a warm helping of this delectable peach cobbler without vanilla ice cream. That would be a travesty of epic proportions.

Classic Peach Cobbler
Yield: Serves 6-ish

If using frozen peaches, use the same amount as in the recipe; thaw them completely, reserving any liquid that drains off to use for the 1/2 cup liquid in the peach layer (if it's not quite enough to equal 1/2 cup, supplement the rest with water). The peach layer will be juicier if using, well, juicy peaches. Using underripe or firm peaches (fresh or frozen) might result in a cobbler that is more dry.

For those interested, I have used white whole wheat flour for the recipe before; it's tasty, but the topping isn't quite as light and fluffy as using unbleached all-purpose flour.

This recipe can easily be doubled for a 9X13-inch pan.

Ingredients

Peach Layer:

• 3 - 4 cups peeled and sliced peaches (about 1.5 - 2 pounds), see note above about using frozen peaches

• 1/3 cup (about 2.5 ounces) lightly packed brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon flour

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon butter

Cobbler Topping:

• 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup (2.5 ounces) granulated sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons, 2 ounces) butter or coconut oil, melted

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a glass 8X8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside (if using an aluminum baking pan, bake at 350 degrees).

2. In a medium bowl, combine the peaches, brown sugar, and flour and mix. Add the water and lemon juice and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.

3. In the same bowl (make sure it's scraped clean, no need to wash) or in another medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt for the topping.

4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the milk and melted butter. Stir just until combined. Don't overmix; it's ok if it's a little lumpy.

5. Dollop the topping by spoonfuls over the peaches.

6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is set and baked through and the filling is bubbly. Let rest for a few minutes before serving warm with vanilla ice cream (this is delicious served at room temperature, too).

Recipe Source: inspired by a recipe from my sister’s sweet neighbor, Debbie