Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches: A Pioneer Woman Inspired Delight

Peach cobbler is the quintessential comfort dessert, a warm and inviting treat that evokes memories of home-cooked goodness. This delightful dessert, with its juicy, sweet peaches and golden, biscuit-like topping, is a favorite across generations and cultures. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, crafting a delicious peach cobbler is easier than you might think, especially when you embrace the convenience of frozen peaches. Inspired by the practical and approachable style of the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, this recipe focuses on simplicity without sacrificing flavor, proving that you can create a truly exceptional peach cobbler using frozen fruit.

Overhead view of a bowl of peach cobbler

Peach cobbler holds a special place in many hearts, often associated with cherished moments and the comforting flavors of Southern cuisine. For those who appreciate the ease and accessibility of Ree Drummond’s recipes, this version of peach cobbler with frozen peaches is a perfect choice. It streamlines the process, making it ideal for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings, while still delivering that classic, heartwarming peach cobbler taste.

Why Frozen Peaches are a Baker’s Best Friend for Cobbler

While fresh, ripe peaches are undeniably wonderful, frozen peaches offer a fantastic alternative for cobbler making, bringing several advantages to the table. Firstly, they eliminate the need for peeling and slicing, saving you precious prep time in the kitchen. Secondly, frozen peaches are picked at their peak ripeness and frozen immediately, locking in their sweet, summery flavor. This means you can enjoy the taste of perfectly ripe peaches year-round, regardless of the season. Finally, using frozen peaches can actually help to thicken the cobbler filling as they release their juices during baking, creating a luscious and saucy base for the biscuit topping.

Key Ingredients for a Pioneer Woman Style Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches

To create a truly memorable peach cobbler, especially one inspired by the Pioneer Woman’s approachable style, focusing on quality ingredients is key. For the peach filling, frozen peaches are the star, and pairing them with both granulated and brown sugar enhances the sweetness and adds a touch of molasses-like depth. Vanilla and almond extracts contribute layers of warm, comforting flavor, while cinnamon and nutmeg provide a hint of spice that complements the peaches beautifully. Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the filling reaches the perfect consistency, and a touch of lemon juice brightens the overall flavor profile.

For the cobbler topping, all-purpose flour forms the base, while a combination of granulated and brown sugar adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown crust. Baking powder provides lift, resulting in a light and tender biscuit topping. Cinnamon adds warmth and aroma, and cold butter, when worked into the dry ingredients, creates those desirable flaky layers. A little hot water brings the dough together, creating a drop-biscuit consistency that is easy to work with.

Step-by-Step Recipe for Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches

This recipe simplifies the process of making peach cobbler, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

Prepping the Peaches: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In the prepared dish, combine the frozen peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, cream of tartar, room temperature butter, water, and lemon juice. Mix everything together gently to ensure the peaches are evenly coated with the sugars and spices.
Pre-baking the Peach Filling: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This pre-baking step allows the frozen peaches to thaw and release their juices, creating a flavorful base for the cobbler.
Making the Cobbler Topping: While the peaches are baking, prepare the cobbler topping. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and half of the cinnamon (reserve the other half for topping). Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the boiling hot water and stir with a spoon until just combined. The dough should have a slightly sticky, drop-biscuit like texture.

preparing the peach cobbler dough

Assembling and Baking the Cobbler: Remove the peach filling from the oven and carefully spoon the cobbler dough over the hot peaches. Drop spoonfuls of dough, about the size of golf balls, evenly over the peaches, leaving a little space between each drop to allow for even cooking. The peaches will not be completely covered, and that’s perfectly fine.
Finishing and Baking: In a small bowl, combine the remaining granulated sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cobbler topping. Return the baking dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until the cobbler topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly. Baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it.

Tips for the Perfect Peach Cobbler Every Time

Don’t Overmix the Dough: When making the cobbler topping, be careful not to overmix once you add the hot water. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher topping. Mix just until the dough comes together.
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If your frozen peaches are particularly sweet, you may want to slightly reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. Taste the peach filling after pre-baking and adjust sweetness as needed.
For Extra Flavor: Consider adding a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom to the peach filling for an extra layer of warm spice. You can also use different extracts, such as maple or bourbon, in place of or in addition to the vanilla and almond extracts.
Watch for Watery Cobbler: If you find your peach cobbler is producing too much liquid, particularly when using fresh peaches, you can remove some of the excess juice with a turkey baster after pre-baking the filling. Adding a bit more cornstarch to the peach mixture can also help thicken the juices. Remember that the cobbler will thicken as it cools.

Serving Suggestions for Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler is a dessert that shines on its own, served warm straight from the oven. However, it’s even more delightful when paired with complementary toppings. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, the cold creaminess melting slightly into the warm cobbler. Whipped cream is another wonderful option, adding a light and airy counterpoint to the rich dessert. For a touch of extra indulgence, consider a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of toasted pecans.

Storing and Reheating Peach Cobbler

If you happen to have leftover peach cobbler (though it’s unlikely!), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or gently warm it in a conventional oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) until heated through.

Can You Use Canned Peaches?

Yes, you can substitute canned peaches for frozen peaches in this recipe if needed. Be sure to drain the canned peaches well and opt for peaches packed in juice rather than heavy syrup to control the sweetness. Avoid using canned peach pie filling, as it contains added thickeners and sweeteners that can alter the texture and flavor of your cobbler.

Fresh Peaches for a Seasonal Treat

When fresh peaches are in season, typically during the summer months, they can be used to make this cobbler recipe. You’ll need about 3 medium-sized fresh peaches for every 20-ounce bag of frozen peaches. Peel, pit, and slice the fresh peaches before adding them to the recipe. You may need to increase the pre-baking time for the peach filling by 5-7 minutes to ensure the fresh peaches become tender.

Recipe: Southern Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches (Pioneer Woman Inspired)

This recipe brings together the ease of frozen peaches with the comforting flavors of a classic Southern peach cobbler, inspired by the approachable style of the Pioneer Woman.

Print Recipe Save Saved! Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Keyword: dessert, desserts, holiday dessert, peach cobbler, peaches, Peach Cobbler With Frozen Peaches Pioneer Woman

Servings: 8 People
Calories: 1130kcal
Author: Tamara J.

Ingredients

Peaches

2 bags Frozen peaches (20 ounces each) – Frozen peaches provide convenience and year-round availability.
1 cup Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the peach filling.
1 cup Brown sugar – Enhances sweetness and adds a touch of molasses flavor.
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract – Provides warm, classic dessert flavor.
½ teaspoon Almond extract (optional but recommended) – Adds a subtle nutty and aromatic note.
½ tablespoon Cinnamon – Warm spice that complements peaches.
½ teaspoon Nutmeg – Adds a hint of warm, nutty spice.
2 teaspoons Corn starch – Thickens the peach filling to the perfect consistency.
1 teaspoon Cream of tartar – Helps to tenderize the cobbler topping.
½ stick Butter, unsalted, room temperature – Adds richness to the peach filling.
2 tablespoons Water – Helps to create a saucy peach filling.
1 teaspoon Fresh lemon juice – Brightens the flavors of the peach filling.

Cobbler topping

2 cups Flour – Forms the base of the biscuit-like topping.
½ cup Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the topping.
½ cup Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown crust.
2 teaspoons Baking powder – Provides lift and tenderness to the topping.
1 tablespoon Cinnamon (reserve ½ for garnishment) – Adds warm spice to the topping.
1 stick Butter, unsalted, cold – Creates flaky layers in the topping.
¼ cup Boiling hot water – Brings the dough together.
½ teaspoon Salt – Enhances the flavors.
3 tablespoons Granulated sugar (to dust top of cobbler) – Adds sweetness and sparkle to the topping.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. In the same dish, add peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, corn starch, cream of tartar, butter, water, and lemon juice. Mix until combined.
Cover the dish with foil and cook mixture in the oven for 20 minutes.
While peaches are cooking, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and ½ tablespoon of the cinnamon in a separate bowl.
Work the cold stick of butter into the flour mixture by breaking it up with a pastry cutter or with your hands. Work it in until it looks like coarse meal or crumbles.
Add the hot water and stir together with a spoon until it’s just combined. Cobbler should have a drop biscuit-like texture.
Remove peaches from the oven and spoon dough mixture over the peaches. Make each dough droplet about the size of a golf ball, leaving a tiny bit of space between each one to ensure they cook through.
Peaches will not be fully covered. Combine sugar and and remaining ½ tablespoon cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture over dough.
Place the dish back in the oven uncovered and cook for an additional 30-45 minutes, until crust is golden brown.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF695kFQXG8

Notes

Substitute 8 fresh peaches in place of frozen peaches if desired. Fresh peaches are likely to yield more liquid.
Add more hot water to the cobbler if needed to achieve a doughy “drop-biscuit” like texture. Add 1 tablespoon at a time, no more than ½ cup total.
Cooking times may vary depending on oven settings. If cobbler is not cooked through, bake an additional 15-20 minutes.
If too much liquid remains, remove some using a turkey baster, or gently pour it out. Cobbler will thicken as it sits.
VIDEO IS A SYNOPSIS OF THE RECIPE- IT IS NOT THE FULL RECIPE.