Peach Cobbler

(American peaches baked with pastry)

Cobbler is a traditional American dessert that uses the freshest fruits of the season. The fruit is baked with a sweetened batter that rises up and around it to form a crispy crust. Peach, apple, berry and cherry cobbler are all popular variations.

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

Peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced -- 1 1/2 pounds
Sugar -- 1/4 cup
Lemon juice (optional) -- 1 or 2 tablespoons
Cinnamon -- 1 teaspoon
Nutmeg -- 1/4 teaspoon
Flour -- 1 cup
Sugar -- 3/4 cup
Baking powder -- 2 teaspoons
Salt -- pinch
Milk -- 1 cup
Unsalted butter, melted -- 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons)

Method

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, toss the peaches together with the sugar, lemon juice and spices. Set aside.
In another large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Gently stir in the milk. Do not overmix; some lumps should remain.
Pour the melted butter in the bottom of a baking dish. Pour the batter over the butter. Do not stir. Drop the fruit evenly over the batter. Do not stir.
Set the baking dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top begins to brown. Serve hot or at room temperature with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Cobbler Variations

Other Fruit Cobblers: Substitute most any fruit you like that is in season. Toss 1 or 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into the fruit if it is particularly juicy (berries, plums, rhubarb).
Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste.
Camping Cobbler: Cobbler is the perfect finish to a campfire meal. Bake your cobbler in a cast-iron Dutch oven over glowing embers. Rotate the oven from time to time to ensure even cooking.