Grandma’s Peach Cobbler Pie is a timeless classic, evoking memories of family gatherings and warm summer evenings. This particular recipe perfectly captures the essence of traditional home baking, blending the natural sweetness of peaches with a rich, buttery crust. It’s a comforting dessert that’s both satisfying and surprisingly simple to make.
Choosing the Ingredients
- Peaches: Opt for frozen peach slices for convenience and consistent quality. Fresh peaches can be used when in season, but ensure they are ripe yet firm to withstand the cooking process.
- Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works best for both the filling thickener and the crust. For a healthier twist, you can experiment with whole wheat flour, but it will alter the texture slightly.
- Shortening: The recipe calls for butter-flavored shortening, which adds a rich, buttery taste to the crust. If unavailable, regular shortening or even cold butter can be used as a substitute.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is ideal for the filling to balance the tartness of the peaches. If you prefer a less sweet dessert, you can reduce the sugar quantity.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon and nutmeg are traditional, but adding a pinch of ground ginger or allspice can introduce an interesting flavor profile.
Tips for Making the Pie
- When preparing the dough, ensure it’s chilled sufficiently. This makes it easier to handle and results in a flakier crust.
- For the peach filling, maintain a gentle simmer to avoid burning. The addition of flour-water mixture should be gradual to prevent lumps.
- Rolling the dough for the lattice crust requires patience. Keep the surface and rolling pin lightly floured to prevent sticking.
- Baking times may vary based on the oven, so keep an eye on the cobbler, especially towards the end of the baking period.
Variations and Substitutions
- Dietary Adjustments: For a gluten-free version, use a blend of gluten-free flours. Similarly, a dairy-free version can be made by substituting dairy components with plant-based alternatives.
- Fruit Variations: This recipe is versatile. Try mixing peaches with other fruits like blueberries or raspberries for a delightful twist.
- Sugar Alternatives: If you’re looking to reduce refined sugar, try natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, though this will alter the flavor slightly.
- Adding Nuts: For an added crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the top before baking.
Grandma’s Peach Cobbler Pie
Ingredients
For the Peach Filling:
- 2 lbs frozen peach slices
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups water, divided
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For the Crust:
- 1 cup butter-flavored shortening
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup ice-cold water
Instructions
- Dough Preparation:
- In a bowl, sift 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Add in the shortening and use a pastry cutter or dough hooks to mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly add the ice-cold water and mix until a dough forms. Shape into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 45 minutes.
- Cooking the Peach Filling:
- In a large pot, combine the frozen peaches, 1 cup water, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Heat over medium-high until the mixture starts to bubble.
- Stir in butter and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup water with 3 tablespoons flour. Gradually add this to the peach mixture, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and let simmer.
- Preparing the Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out half of the chilled dough and cut into 1-inch squares. Place these squares on a baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes. They should be slightly firm.
- Assembling the Cobbler:
- Spread the peach mixture in a 13×9 inch baking dish.
- Remove the baked dough squares from the oven and gently fold them into the peach mixture.
- Roll out the remaining dough and cut into strips. Lay these strips over the cobbler in a lattice pattern.
- Final Baking:
- Bake the assembled cobbler in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
- Allow the cobbler to cool before serving.
- Serving:
- Serve the cobbler warm, ideally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert experience.
Notes and Tips
- Ensure the butter is well integrated into the peach mixture for a rich flavor.
- Monitor the cobbler during baking to avoid over-browning of the crust.
- For a variation, consider adding a splash of bourbon or almond extract to the peach mixture for an enhanced flavor profile.
- This cobbler can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated for enjoying later, maintaining its delightful taste and texture.
