Monday, November 7, 2011

Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring and because it has fresh peaches in it.

I always get the urge to bake when the weather turns cool, and this spiced peach cobbler is just the right sort of warm deliciousness that's perfect for fall. Plus, it smells amazing while it's in the oven, filling my apartment with an intoxicating aroma.


Ingredients:
For the fruit filling:
-6 to 8 cups peeled and sliced peaches
-1/4 cup white or packed light brown sugar
-1/8 teaspoon each ground ginger, cloves, and nutmeg
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-2 tablespoons flour

For the topping:
-1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-1/3 cup sugar
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
-1/2 cup buttermilk
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
-1 egg and extra sugar for sprinkling on top (optional)

In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the sugar, spices, and flour. In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients for the topping, then add the butter, mixing in with your fingers until it forms coarse crumbs. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla until dough clings together. If dough is too dry, add more buttermilk. Put the fruit mixture in a lightly buttered baking dish (I used 8x8, but a bit larger than that would be better), and drop the dough on top in clumps for the "cobbled" appearance. Brush the top with an egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until fruit juice is bubbling at the sides and the top is golden brown.



If you can't get good peaches, I've also made a similar dish with apples (easier to find in autumn) with a teaspoon of cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and a splash of lemon juice.

*Post title is a quote by Thomas Walker.

8 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Ha! Yes, whenever I think of a reason why life is superior to death, I think of peaches. :D

    -

    I have officially come all the way from the Weird land to get you on board with the 30 Day Drawing Challenge!

    If you have 30 minutes to spare every day, you should go for it! It doesn't have to be on the 1st of the month... Today is as good a day!

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  3. That looks ahhhhhmazing. I love fruit based desserts. I'm the worst baker ever but Robbie got home yesterday - think I'm going to ask him to bake this ;)

    xo,
    melissa

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  4. That looks so very yummy!! I want my house to smell like that!

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  5. Mmmmmmmm, I'll take peaches any time of the year! Great recipe, Mary. I wish I could make it but we don't have peaches really.

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  6. OMG...I am coming over right now Mary:):) I can almost smell the baking aromas:)

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  7. That looks delicious. I love baking especially in the cold months.

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  8. this looks delicious right now... i wish i was over in my wool coat instead of feeling a bit lonely and curious in starbucks. ha

    ps. THANK YOU for joining my ornament swap. i'm so excited about it :) also, enjoy the beautiful foliage of VA... we lived there last year and it was one of my favorite parts of the state. i miss its delicious autumn.

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