Old Time Oven Peach Cobbler

1. If using fresh peaches, peel and slice them into thick wedges. If using canned peaches, drain them well.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sliced peaches, granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup of unsalted butter. Stir until the butter is melted, and the sugar is dissolved.
3. If desired, add the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg to the peach mixture. Stir to combine.
4. Allow the peach mixture to simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the peaches are tender and the syrup has thickened slightly. Remove from heat.

Making the Cobbler Topping:

5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
7. Gradually add the whole milk to the dry ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth batter.
8. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter.
9. Pour the melted butter into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Assembling and Baking the Cobbler:

10. Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter in the baking dish. Do not stir.
11. Spoon the peach filling evenly over the batter. Again, do not stir. The batter will rise around the peaches as it bakes.
12. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cobbler is bubbling around the edges.

Serving the Peach Cobbler:

13. Remove the Old Time Oven Peach Cobbler from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
14. Serve warm portions of cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream for the perfect finishing touch.

Variations and Tips

• Add Some Spice: Enhance the flavor of the peach filling with a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of almond extract.
• Use Fresh or Canned Peaches: While fresh, ripe peaches are delightful, canned peaches in juice or syrup work well, especially when fresh peaches are out of season.
• Serve It Cold: If you prefer, this cobbler can also be served cold, straight from the refrigerator, on a hot summer’s day.
• Personalize with Nuts: Consider adding a handful of chopped pecans or almonds to the cobbler topping for added texture and nutty flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: If you need a gluten-free version, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour.
• Storage: Leftover peach cobbler can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.