A More Convenient, Year-Round Dessert

Homemade peach cobbler on a plate with a spoon
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There's a common thought that fresh produce reigns supreme – and certainly, in season when it's widely available and intensely delicious, it's worth using whenever possible. But frozen produce can be a lifesaver for busy moms. It's picked and frozen at the peak of ripeness, it's ready to use at a moment's notice, at any time of the year and – perhaps best of all – someone else did all the work to wash, slice and prepare it. That major save on prep time gives you at least an extra 10 to 15 minutes in this recipe. Your cobbler may need to spend that much more time in the oven, but since baking time is time you can use to do other things, it's an all-around win.

Total Time: 50 minutes | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 6 to 8 (makes 1 8-by-8-inch pan)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups frozen peach slices
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

Tip

The cinnamon in the crumble topping is a nice complement to the peaches, but other spices and flavors work equally well. In the fall, try 1/4 teaspoon each of ginger and nutmeg. For a more subtle flavor and beautiful flecks throughout the dessert, split and scrape 1 vanilla bean, using the seeds inside to flavor the peach filling.

Directions:

  1. Heat the oven to 375F.
  2. In an 8-by-8-inch baking dish, arrange the peaches. Sprinkle the lemon juice over them.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the granulated sugar, salt and cinnamon. 
  4. In a small bowl, crack the egg and whisk until blended. Fold the egg into the dry-ingredient mixture until the mixture is crumbly and evenly moistened. 
  5. Use a large spoon or your hands to scatter the crumbly mixture over the top of the peaches. 
  6. Sprinkle the melted butter over the cobbler.
  7. Bake the cobbler for about 40 to 45 minutes, until it bubbles at the edges and is golden brown on top. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Tip

This cobbler recipe is very forgiving and easy to modify. Try it with fresh peaches and a reduced total baking time of about 25 minutes. It's also delicious with other frozen fruits, such as blueberries or cherries, subbed for peaches. If you have some frozen peaches but not enough for the whole recipe, try using what you have and supplementing with other fresh or frozen fruit, such as rhubarb or raspberries, to diversify the flavors.