Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler Recipe
If there’s one dessert that captures the essence of summer in every gooey, golden bite, it has to be the Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler. Imagine juicy peaches bubbling away in sweet spices, tucked beneath pillowy mounds of tender biscuit—each spoonful is sheer comfort, whether you grew up Southern or just adore a good fruit cobbler. This recipe is a celebration of simple ingredients coming together in a glorious skillet, delivering warmth, nostalgia, and that irresistible aroma wafting through your kitchen. Trust me, this is the peach cobbler you’ll want to make on repeat for years to come!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler starts with pantry staples and a handful of thoughtful touches. Every component—whether buttery, sweet, or spiced—plays an essential role in creating that crave-worthy flavor and the perfect biscuit crust.
- Sliced frozen peaches (2 lbs): No need to thaw—frozen fruit stays juicy and holds its shape beautifully during baking.
- Unsalted butter (¼ cup, cubed): brings rich, creamy flavor to the peach filling.
- Packed light brown sugar (½ cup): enhances the peaches’ natural sweetness and creates a luscious syrup.
- Vanilla essence (2 teaspoons): adds warmth and depth, making the peaches sing.
- Ground cinnamon (½ teaspoon): classic cobbler spice that cozies up the filling.
- Ground nutmeg (½ teaspoon): brings a subtle, aromatic note to heighten the fruitiness.
- Ground cardamom (¼ teaspoon): just a pinch gives a unique floral undertone that feels fancy yet inviting.
- Kosher salt (¼ teaspoon): balances the sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): when mixed into a slurry, thickens the peach syrup for that glossy, luscious finish.
- Vanilla ice cream & fresh mint leaves (optional): for the most indulgent serving experience.
- Self-rising flour (1 cup): guarantees a fluffy, tender biscuit topping without extra leavening agents.
- Fine yellow cornmeal (½ cup): gives the biscuit topping a sunny color and gentle crunch.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): adds just the right hint of sweetness to the topping.
- Buttermilk (1 cup): the secret to biscuits that are moist and flavorful.
- Salted butter, melted (½ cup): enriches the biscuit topping with buttery goodness that’s impossible to resist.
How to Make Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler
Step 1: Prep Your Skillet and Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F to get things nice and hot. Grab your favorite large cast-iron skillet (10 inches or larger is perfect) and place it over medium heat—no need to wait for the peaches to thaw, that’s part of the beauty of this recipe!
Step 2: Cook the Peaches
Pour the frozen sliced peaches into the skillet. Cook them, stirring occasionally, until they’re soft and juicy, about 7 to 10 minutes. You’ll see the peaches thaw and start to release their irresistible aroma and golden syrup.
Step 3: Build Flavors in the Filling
Add the cubed unsalted butter to the skillet, stirring as it melts. Then sprinkle in the brown sugar, vanilla essence, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and kosher salt. Stir everything well so the peaches are lovingly coated in those warm, fragrant flavors. Continue cooking until the sugar has dissolved completely and the mixture looks saucy and syrupy, usually about 3 to 4 minutes.
Step 4: Thicken Things Up
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to make a smooth slurry. Pour this mixture into the skillet, stirring to combine. You’ll notice the syrup thickening almost instantly around the peaches. Remove the skillet from the heat once thickened, and set aside while you move on to the topping.
Step 5: Make and Add the Biscuit Topping
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together self-rising flour, cornmeal, and granulated sugar until evenly mixed. Stir in the buttermilk and melted salted butter until just combined—the batter will be thick but spreadable. Using a large spoon or an ice cream scoop, drop dollops of biscuit batter across the surface of your peach filling, leaving little gaps for steam to escape.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the skillet on a large baking sheet (to catch any excitement that bubbles over) and slide it into the oven. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, until the biscuit topping is a beautiful golden brown and the peach edges are bubbling away with anticipation.
Step 7: Cool Briefly and Serve!
Let your Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler cool for about 10 minutes—just enough that you won’t burn your tongue, but the kitchen still smells like pure happiness. Serve warm, with big scoops of vanilla ice cream and a few fresh mint leaves for that extra pop of freshness.
How to Serve Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler
Garnishes
The finishing touch can make your dessert feel straight out of a restaurant. A generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting into the warm cobbler is a must. If you’re feeling a little extra, a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few fresh mint leaves not only looks gorgeous but adds a lively contrast to all those luscious peaches.
Side Dishes
For a complete Southern-inspired spread, serve your Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of honey. Light, crisp sides like a zesty fruit salad or even a handful of toasted pecans on the table are lovely options to balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
This cobbler shines when scooped right from the skillet, but you can also portion it into individual ramekins for an elevated dinner party dessert. Want to really wow guests? Layer warm cobbler in glasses with ice cream and granola for a playful peach cobbler parfait.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you (miraculously) have leftovers of your Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler, just cover the skillet tightly with foil, or transfer the cobbler to an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge, where it’ll stay delicious for up to three days.
Freezing
To freeze, let the cobbler cool completely. You can freeze it right in the skillet if it’s oven-safe, wrapping it well with plastic wrap and foil, or portion into individual containers. It will keep nicely for up to 2 months—just defrost in the fridge before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
When you’re ready for another serving, reheat your Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler in a 350°F oven until warmed through and the top is crisp again (about 15–20 minutes). For single servings, a few seconds in the microwave works too, just keep an eye out so the biscuit stays tender, not tough.
FAQs
Can I use fresh or canned peaches instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh peaches (peeled and sliced) work beautifully in summer, and well-drained canned peaches are a great option year-round. Adjust sugar to taste, since canned peaches can be sweeter.
What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?
No worries! You can use any oven-safe 10-inch skillet or even a baking dish. Just make sure the pan can handle stovetop heat for the filling steps or do the filling in a saucepan and transfer to your dish before adding the topping.
Is there a way to make this cobbler gluten-free?
You can easily swap in your favorite gluten-free self-rising flour blend for the biscuit topping. Be sure your cornmeal is certified gluten-free and add a pinch of extra baking powder if needed for fluffiness.
Can I make the biscuit topping ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the biscuit dough ahead and keep it covered in the fridge for up to a day. When ready, just dollop it over your peach filling and bake as directed for that just-made magic.
How do I know when the cobbler is done?
The biscuit topping should be puffy and golden, and the peach filling will be deliciously bubbly at the edges. A toothpick inserted into the center of a biscuit mound should come out clean—just try not to dip it into all that syrupy peach goodness!
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason friends and family can’t stop talking about this Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler—it’s gooey, golden, and guaranteed to bring smiles to your table. Whether served at a summer picnic or when you need a little cozy comfort, this is a recipe you’ll treasure. Go ahead and bake it soon; I have a feeling it’s about to become your new signature dessert!
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Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the Best-Ever Skillet Peach Cobbler, a delightful dessert that combines juicy peaches with a sweet biscuit topping, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 lbs sliced frozen peaches (no need to thaw)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cubed
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla essence (extract or paste)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, for slurry
For the Biscuit Topping:
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- ½ cup fine yellow cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
Vanilla ice cream for serving & fresh mint leaves, for garnish – optional
Instructions
- For the filling: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the peaches until soft. Add butter, brown sugar, vanilla, spices, and salt. Make a cornstarch slurry, add to the skillet, and set aside.
- For the biscuit topping: Combine dry ingredients, then mix in buttermilk and melted butter. Drop spoonfuls of batter on the peach filling. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.
- Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve warm with ice cream and mint leaves.
Notes
- You can use fresh peaches when in season for an even fresher taste.
- Adjust the sugar and spices according to your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Skillet Peach Cobbler, Peach Dessert, Fruit Cobbler Recipe
