Peach cobbler is sliced Chilton County peaches baked under a buttery biscuit or batter topping, served warm with vanilla ice cream, the canonical Alabama summer dessert.

Peach cobbler has been a Southern garden dessert since the 1800s, with the rise of Chilton County peach country south of Birmingham through the 20th century making the version using Chilton peaches the canonical Alabama version. The Chilton County Peach Festival in Clanton runs every June and Durbin Farms Market on US-31 anchors the day-trip drive from Birmingham. Niki's West runs the cafeteria version year-round; Big Bad Breakfast does a brunch peach cobbler.

Where to eat Peach cobbler in Birmingham

3 editor picks for Peach cobbler in Birmingham, ranked by editorial score. All Birmingham signature dishes · Peach cobbler across every city.

Make it at home

Serves 81 hr 10 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 1kg ripe peaches (Chilton County if available), peeled and sliced
  • 200g granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 200g all-purpose flour
  • 100g brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 115g butter, melted
  • 180ml whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 190C / 375F. Butter a 23cm square baking dish.
  2. Toss peaches with granulated sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and cornstarch. Pour into the baking dish.
  3. Whisk flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in melted butter, milk and vanilla until just combined; the batter should be lumpy.
  4. Drop the batter in spoonfuls over the peaches; it will spread as it bakes.
  5. Bake 45 to 50 minutes until the topping is golden and the peach juices bubble at the edges.
  6. Cool 10 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Editor tip. Use slightly firm Chilton County peaches; very ripe peaches break down too much during baking and the filling becomes watery.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs.