As autumn’s chill settles in, there’s something comforting about the thought of a warm, fruity dessert filling your home with its sweet aroma. One such delightful treat is peach cobbler, a classic American dessert that has its roots deep in history. It is a favorite of mine and this is how to make peach cobbler with canned fruit. Once you’ve tasted a sublime homemade peach cobbler, you understand why it has its own holiday in the USA. National Peach Cobbler day is celebrated annually on April 13th.
Peach Cobbler’s Origin Story
Peach cobbler, with its golden-brown, biscuit-like topping and sweet, juicy peach filling, has become a beloved dessert across the United States. But its origins are humble and rooted in the history of American cuisine. The concept of cobbler dates back to the early days of American settlement, where British and European colonists (and the Africans they enslaved) adapted their fruit-based dishes to the available ingredients. These early cobblers featured a simple mix of fruit and dough cooked over an open fire, often resembling today’s rustic cobblers.
Over time, as the American South embraced peach cultivation, peach cobbler gained immense popularity in the region. The region’s love for this dessert led to numerous variations and recipes, with each family passing down its secret ingredient or method. The topping, which we know today as a biscuit or pie crust, has evolved from the original dough-based concoction. Some versions use a cake-like batter, while others favor a flaky, buttery crust. Regardless of the variation, the essence of peach cobbler lies in its simple, homey charm and the top usually resembles the texture of a cobblestone street.
Why Canned Peaches?
While fresh, ripe peaches are undeniably delicious in a cobbler, what happens when it’s the dead of winter, and fresh peaches are out of season or hard to come by? Enter canned fruit, a true hero of the winter kitchen. Canned fruits are preserved at their peak freshness, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite fruits regardless of the season. For a busy mom, I love canned fruits because they’re ready to use, eliminating the need for peeling, pitting, and slicing. This convenience makes whipping up a cobbler a breeze, even on a busy winter school night.
Canned fruits are also more consistent and affordable. The canning helps the peaches maintain consistent quality and flavor. You won’t have to worry about the unpredictability of out-of-season fresh fruit. Every can of peaches delivers the same taste and texture, ensuring your cobbler turns out just right. I love reliability of ingredients. Canned fruits are often more affordable than their fresh counterparts, especially when the fruit is out of season. This affordability allows you to enjoy a taste of summer and diversifying your family’s five-a-day fruit/vegetable servings affordably. The savings also comes in avoiding food waste because canned fruit has a longer shelf life than fresh fruit. You can stock up on canned peaches and use them at your convenience throughout the winter.
Peach Cobbler Recipes
In this post, I’m sharing my friend Carlota’s recipe, but I highly recommend Emily Meggett’s recipe from her book, Gullah Geechee Home Cooking: Recipes From the Matriarch of Edisto Island. This is one of my go-to cookbooks and a must for any fan of Low Country or southern (US) cuisine. Learn more about her book here in a piece from Southern Living.
Carlota’s Peach Cobbler with Canned Fruit
- Take 2 cans peaches – drain one and heat the remainder (peaches and water) in a skillet.
- Add 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp of instant ginger honey crystals and simmer until the water is reduced by half.
- Pour into a pie plate or casserole dish.
- Let cool.
- For the dough, mix 1 cup self rising flour, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, and 1tsp pumpkin pie spice. Mix. Add a little water if it’s too dry.
- Chill for 30 minutes, then drop in spoonfuls on top of the peaches.
- Bake at 400-425 for 20-30 minutes.
- Let cool and gobble the cobble!
Of course, you could also skip making it and order a mix like this one from Gullah Gourmet.
Peach cobbler, with its roots in colonial America, is a delightful dessert that warms the heart and soul. Thanks to the availability and convenience of canned fruit, you can enjoy this comforting dish even when fresh peaches are out of reach. So, as winter’s chill sets in, don’t hesitate to reach for that can of peaches in your pantry and whip up a delicious peach cobbler that will transport you to a warm summer day. After all, the magic of canned fruit lies not only in its convenience but also in its ability to bring a taste of sunshine to the darkest days of winter.