Preparation Time: 1 hour Servings: 6 Difficulty: Moderate
Caramelized peaches, a tender buttery dough, and the warm aroma of toasted fruit and cinnamon—this is what you can expect from an American peach pie known as cobbler. There’s no better time to prepare this dessert than now, during the peak of the summer fruit season. If you’re looking for a delightful accompaniment to your afternoon coffee or a way to elevate your ice cream, this peach cobbler is the perfect choice. Similar to a jelly cake but richer in flavor, this dessert stands out because the fruit is caramelized before baking.
The Origin of Cobbler and What Makes It Special
Cobbler was originally created by British settlers in America. In their attempt to recreate a traditional suet pudding, they found themselves without the necessary ingredients and equipment. The result was something different yet delicious—the cobbler was born.
The uniqueness of cobbler lies in its structure: fruit filling, sometimes savory, is placed at the bottom of the baking dish, topped with a raw shortbread or liquid batter. It’s somewhat similar to the French charlotte, but with a key difference in the dough. Charlotte is fluffier due to the inclusion of eggs, while cobbler has a richer texture thanks to milk. Both American peach pie and peach charlotte are excellent choices for summer indulgence.
Ingredients
For the dough (for a 29×22 cm dish):
- 200 g sugar
- 170 g milk
- 200 g flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 120 g butter
For the filling:
- 800 g peaches
- 75 g sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Recipe for Peach Cobbler
Step 1: Prepare the PeachesPreheat your oven to 180°C with convection. Wash the 800 g of peaches, cut them in half, remove the pits, and slice them. In a saucepan, combine the peach slices with 75 g of sugar, ¼ tsp of salt, and 1 tsp of ground cinnamon. Simmer over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the peaches release their juices.
Step 2: Prepare the DoughIn a bowl, mix 200 g of sifted flour, 200 g of sugar, 2 tsp of baking powder, ¼ tsp of salt, and 170 g of milk. Stir with a spatula or whisk until the batter is smooth and has the consistency of thick sour cream.
Step 3: Prepare the Baking DishPlace 120 g of cubed butter evenly in a baking dish and melt it in the oven for about 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the dish with the melted butter, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Be careful not to mix the butter into the batter.
Step 4: Add the PeachesRandomly arrange the caramelized peaches on top of the batter. Bake the cobbler in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the peaches are bubbling.
Step 5: ServeAllow the cobbler to cool slightly before serving. For an extra treat, top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Cooking is Easy!
This peach cobbler is a delightful dessert that’s perfect for any summer occasion. Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors and the delicious combination of caramelized peaches and tender dough.