Easy and Delicious Butter Biscuit Peach Cobbler: A Southern Classic

Peach cobbler is a quintessential Southern dessert, evoking memories of warm summer evenings and family gatherings. While many variations exist, the butter biscuit topping is a beloved choice, offering a delightful contrast to the juicy, sweet peaches. This recipe combines the ease of a drop biscuit with the comforting flavors of ripe peaches, creating a dessert that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying. Get ready to bake up a taste of Southern hospitality with this delightful Butter Biscuit Peach Cobbler!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Simple and Quick:** This recipe uses a drop biscuit topping, which eliminates the need for rolling or cutting out shapes. It’s a time-saver without sacrificing flavor or texture.
* **Comfort Food at its Finest:** The warm, tender peaches paired with the buttery, slightly sweet biscuits create a comforting and nostalgic dessert.
* **Adaptable:** Feel free to adjust the sweetness or spice levels to your liking. You can also use other fruits, like berries or apples, for a different twist.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** Whether it’s a weeknight treat or a potluck dish, this peach cobbler is always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start baking, gather these ingredients:

**For the Peach Filling:**

* 6 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (or two 29-ounce cans of sliced peaches, drained)
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of the peaches)
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to enhance the peach flavor)
* 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

**For the Butter Biscuits:**

* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
* 3/4 cup buttermilk (or milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar)
* 2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing (optional)
* Turbinado sugar or coarse sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Equipment You’ll Need

* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Large bowl
* Small bowl
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Pastry blender or fork (optional, for cutting in the butter)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these detailed instructions to create your own delicious Butter Biscuit Peach Cobbler.

Part 1: Preparing the Peach Filling

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Make sure the rack is in the center position.

2. **Prepare the Peaches:** If using fresh peaches, wash, peel, and slice them. To easily peel peaches, blanch them in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then transfer them to an ice bath. The skins will slip right off.
If using canned peaches, drain them well.

3. **Combine the Filling Ingredients:** In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced peaches with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and lemon juice (if using). Make sure the peaches are evenly coated.

4. **Transfer to Baking Dish:** Pour the peach mixture into the 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly.

5. **Dot with Butter:** Dot the peach mixture with the small pieces of butter. This will add richness and flavor to the filling.

Part 2: Making the Butter Biscuits

1. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed.

2. **Cut in the Butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The smaller the butter pieces, the flakier the biscuits will be. But don’t overwork it; you want to see small pieces of butter throughout.

3. **Add the Buttermilk:** Gradually add the buttermilk to the flour mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough biscuits. The dough should be slightly wet and shaggy.

4. **Drop the Biscuits:** Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, drop spoonfuls of the biscuit dough evenly over the peach filling. Leave a little space between each biscuit, as they will spread slightly during baking. Aim for about 12-15 biscuits, depending on their size.

5. **Brush with Butter and Sprinkle with Sugar (Optional):** If desired, brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter and sprinkle with turbinado sugar or coarse sugar for extra flavor and a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Part 3: Baking the Cobbler

1. **Bake:** Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it.

2. **Let Cool:** Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and prevents you from burning your mouth.

Tips for the Best Butter Biscuit Peach Cobbler

* **Use Cold Butter:** The key to flaky biscuits is using cold butter. Keep the butter in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it, and work quickly to prevent it from melting.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the biscuit dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough biscuits. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** Taste the peaches before adding sugar to the filling. If they are very sweet, you may need to reduce the amount of sugar.
* **Add Spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as ginger, cardamom, or allspice, to add depth of flavor to the filling.
* **Use Other Fruits:** This recipe can be easily adapted to use other fruits, such as berries, apples, plums, or nectarines.
* **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the peach filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You can also mix the dry ingredients for the biscuits ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
* **Reheat:** Reheat leftover cobbler in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

* **Serve Warm:** Peach cobbler is best served warm, fresh from the oven.
* **Top with Ice Cream:** A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream is the perfect complement to the warm, sweet cobbler.
* **Dust with Powdered Sugar:** A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance.
* **Pair with Coffee or Tea:** Enjoy a slice of peach cobbler with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy treat.

Variations and Add-ins

* **Nut Crumble Topping:** Instead of butter biscuits, try a nut crumble topping made with flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, and chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts).
* **Canned Biscuit Topping:** For an even quicker version, use canned biscuit dough for the topping. Simply flatten the biscuits slightly and place them on top of the peach filling.
* **Add Nuts to the Filling:** Toss a handful of chopped nuts (such as almonds or pecans) into the peach filling for added texture and flavor.
* **Bourbon or Almond Extract:** Add a splash of bourbon or a teaspoon of almond extract to the peach filling for a more sophisticated flavor.
* **Gingerbread Spice:** For a fall-inspired version, add gingerbread spice to the biscuit dough.

Nutritional Information (approximate, per serving)

* Calories: 400-500
* Fat: 20-25g
* Saturated Fat: 12-15g
* Cholesterol: 60-80mg
* Sodium: 300-400mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Sugar: 30-40g
* Protein: 5-7g

*Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store leftover peach cobbler at room temperature for up to 2 days. Cover tightly to prevent it from drying out.
* **Refrigerator:** Store leftover peach cobbler in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover tightly.
* **Freezer:** Freeze leftover peach cobbler for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, or store in an airtight container.

Conclusion

This Butter Biscuit Peach Cobbler recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make, adaptable to your taste preferences, and perfect for any occasion. The combination of juicy peaches and buttery biscuits is simply irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a taste of Southern comfort!

Enjoy baking and happy eating!