Black Folks Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe

Black folks Southern peach cobbler is the perfect dessert for family gatherings, potluck suppers, and late-night sweet tooth cravings.

Loaded with fresh, juicy peaches and topped with a light and airy cinnamon sugar crust, this cobbler is perfect for dessert or a special snack. It’s so delicious – you may want to eat it all. All by yourself!

Black Southern peach cobbler

Peach cobbler embodies a lot of African-American history, just like the story of James Hemings, an enslaved chef who invented baked macaroni and cheese. Peach cobbler has a similar story.

Who invented peach cobbler?

What’s the history of peach cobbler? Did Black people create it?

Enslaved Black folks did the cooking on Southern plantations and are the ones to give credit for plenty of classic American dishes we love and enjoy today.

Southern peach cobbler is one of those iconic dishes created with biscuit dough, perhaps leftover from breakfast. The dough was dropped over sliced peaches placed at the bottom of an iron pot. Then baked in an open hearth, cooking over hot coals for… Presto! Peach cobbler.

African American peach cobbler history

The story of Black folks peach cobbler has the same Southern soul food legacy of Black people making something from nothing. At first, it was out of sheer necessity. It then evolved into a gift of natural creativity and style. 

I call it “Black excellence.” This legacy of creativity and ingenuity.

Young folks today call it flavor. Or swag.

We must kiss the cook! Today, we look back and honor our ancestors for what they created in generations past. It is now culinary cuisine! 

Black folks Southern peach cobbler recipe is a staple Southern dessert usually served with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream as the cobbler topping. 

After centuries of making it, it’s evolved into a soul food delicacy because of the spices and flavors used in the recipe – custom to Black folks cooking.

What ingredients do you need to make a Black folks’ Southern peach cobbler recipe?

Black folks’ homemade peach cobbler is made with all-natural ingredients, from fresh chopped peaches to cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, ginger, vanilla, and ground nutmeg. 

You’ll also need flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening if you’re making the cobbler crust from scratch.

Easy peach cobbler

Today, this recipe is even easier to make because of self-rising dough (i.e., Bisquick), which always yields a soft and airy crust. It’s simply delicious! 

Get excited because this is the best cobbler you’ll ever taste! 

The buttery crisp topping and juicy syrupy peaches melt in your mouth upon every bite! It’s an easy summer dessert that can be made with fresh or canned peaches when fresh ones are out of season. 

Is peach cobbler a Southern food?

Black folks Southern peach cobbler is so good, it’s no wonder it’s a Southern American dessert staple with its own day on the calendar:

The Georgia Peach Council (yes, a peach council) declared April 13th as National Peach Cobbler Day!

Kitchen equipment

• Instant Omni Plus oven (optional)
• Baking dish 9×11″ size preferred

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Ingredients for Black folk’s Southern peach cobbler recipe filling

• 4 cups of fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (or two 28 oz. canned peaches, drained)
• 1 cup of brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ a teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• ½ a teaspoon of ginger, minced
• ¼ cup of cold water 
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch

Ingredients for the Bisquick peach cobbler batter

• 2 cups of Bisquick
• 1 cup of milk
• ¾ cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ cup of melted butter

How to make homemade Bisquick

Makes 5 cups  

This recipe calls for 2 cups.

• 4 cups of flour
• 2 tablespoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ¾ cup of shortening

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then fold in the shortening.

Black folks Southern peach cobbler recipe instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. Place the butter in the baking dish and then place the dish in the oven to melt the butter while the oven is preheating.
3. Remove the melted butter from the oven after a few minutes and set it aside.
4. Peel and slice the peaches into quarters, and then halve the quartered peach slices. (If using canned peaches, use a colander to drain the peach juice before slicing them).
5. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the ingredients for the peach filling: peaches, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. (I mixed the peach cobbler filling in my Instant Pot inner pot with the lid off and the ‘keep warm’ setting on.)
6. Add the cornstarch to the cold water and stir until smooth.
7. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the peach mixture.
8. Stir the peach mixture to combine the ingredients and then set aside.
9. In a second medium-sized bowl, whisk the ingredients for the cobbler batter: Bisquick, milk, sugar, and vanilla. 
10. Pour the Bisquick mixture over the melted butter in the baking pan.
11. Then, pour the peaches into the Bisquick mixture (the dough will rise around the peaches as it bakes). 
12. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes in the conventional oven. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-45 minutes if using the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven. Watch the cobbler while baking, and bake until the cobbler dough is golden brown.
13. To test if the cobbler is done, insert a toothpick into the center of the cobbler dough. If it comes out clean, then it is done. 
14. Serve Black folks Southern peach cobbler recipe warm, and enjoy!

🎙 Listen to The Soul Food Pod episode: Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe

Keep the podcast conversation going about Southern peach cobbler HERE!

Black folks Southern peach cobbler recipe FAQs

Can you use flour instead of Bisquick?

Wanna make the cobbler crust from scratch?

No problem! You can use flour and make your own homemade Bisquick!

Follow the instructions below:

Makes 5 cups of baking mix

This recipe calls for 2 cups.

• 4 cups of flour
• 2 tablespoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• ¾ cup of shortening

1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Fold in the shortening.

Can you use canned peaches for the Black folks’ Southern peach cobbler recipe?

Can you substitute canned peaches in heavy syrup or peach pie filling?

I know it isn’t easy sometimes to get ahold of fresh fruit – especially when you want to make this recipe out of season for fresh Georgia peaches. 

So you can use canned peaches instead. But I would not recommend using a peach pie filling.

If using canned peaches, do you need to drain them or keep the juice to add to the mixture?

First, drain the peach syrup, then slice and season the peaches according to the recipe instructions. You’ll still yield the same delicious recipe!

What kind of peaches are best for cobblers?

There are many different types of peaches, and each one has a very distinct flavor. The best peaches for cobbler are, of course, ripe peaches that are sweet and not-too-tart in taste. 

But not to worry, this soul food recipe has enough sugar and spices to drown out even the most tart peaches!

Will the batter rise to the top to make what looks like a crust on top?

Yes, when you layer the peaches on the dough mixture, the dough will rise around the peaches as it bakes. 

Can you prepare a peach cobbler ahead of time?

Wondering if you can make the batter and assemble it ahead of time, refrigerate, and then pop it in the oven when ready?

Peach cobbler is a delicious dessert that is always advised and recommended to serve and enjoy fresh and warm. 

It is, however, possible to prepare it in advance and place it in the refrigerator or freezer as well if necessary. 

While I’ve never made this recipe ahead of time and then baked it later, one thing, I do know to be true. The flavor of a fresh-baked pastry can’t ever be beaten!

What is the cooking time for a peach cobbler?

1. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes in the conventional oven. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35-45 minutes if using the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven. 
2. Watch the cobbler while baking, and bake until the cobbler dough is golden brown.
3. To test if the cobbler is done, insert a toothpick into the center of the cobbler dough. If it comes out clean, then it is done. This is important because you don’t want the dough under the top crust to still be raw.

Is peach cobbler supposed to be runny?

Although you’re using ripe, fresh juicy peaches, this cobbler recipe should not be runny but rather syrupy.

How do you thicken peach cobbler?

What do you do if your peach cobbler is watery?

This recipe calls for cornstarch, which thickens the cobbler recipe filling.

If yours is runny, make sure you drained the peach juice (if using canned peaches). And check that you added the correct amount of corn starch. Corn starch or flour is used to thicken the filling.

Does the peach cobbler need to be refrigerated?

Peach cobbler is a dessert that can be served warm or cold. If you make a peach cobbler and want to eat it right away, it does not need to be refrigerated. 

However, if you plan on storing the cobbler for later consumption (within 2-3 days), make sure the dish is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You want the cobbler to maintain its perfect texture and not get mushy because of its sugar content. 

Can frozen peaches be used in this cobbler recipe if fresh peaches are not available?

The classic Southern dessert of peach cobbler can be made with fresh peaches or frozen ones. When using frozen peaches in your peach cobbler, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you use frozen peaches instead of fresh, make sure to thaw and drain the fruit first before adding it to the cobbler batter. 
• Frozen fruit will typically release less juice because of its density, resulting in a drier final product.

 How important is it to use brown sugar with this recipe?

Brown sugar is a staple in many Southern dessert recipes. If you want the best peach cobbler, it is essential to use brown sugar. The white and brown sugars have different properties that help create a flavor profile for your dish. 

White sugar has a neutral taste but will caramelize when heated. In contrast, brown sugar does not caramelize and instead adds an extra dimension of flavor with its molasses content.

What’s the difference between a cobbler and a crisp?

A cobbler is a dessert with fruit filling and biscuit dough on top. The topping can be either sweet or savory, but the most common version is made with sugar, butter, flour, and milk or heavy cream. Many variations include cherry cobbler, apple cobbler, and the South’s darling favorite – peach cobbler!

Crisp is also a pie-like dish featuring fresh berries mixed with oats and baked together in an oven until golden brown. Crisps are typically served cold because they don’t contain any baking ingredients as biscuit desserts do. They often have a crumble topping.

What size baking dish did you use for this Black folks’ Southern peach cobbler recipe?

I used a 9×11″ baking dish (easy to find in most stores). The perfect size for this Southern peach cobbler recipe. It bakes a fresh peach cobbler that’s both delicious and aesthetically pleasing, so you can eat it with your eyes first!

What’s the importance of using unsalted butter?

Unsalted butter is an excellent option for those who want complete control over the flavor of their recipe. The pure, sweet creaminess makes it perfect for baked goods like cookies and cakes. 

Can you use apples instead?

Love cobber with fresh sliced peaches but want to try a few new flavors?

You can use apples to make an apple cobbler or try a cherry, berry, or blueberry cobbler instead! 

What do you think about this Black folks’ Southern peach cobbler recipe?

What do you think of this easy peach cobbler recipe?

Leave your answer in a comment below.

And if you like this peach dessert, you’ll love these best Southern desserts HERE!

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