From guest blogger Mandy Smith, Editor & Chief of Glittering Grace Magazine:
My favorite seasonal summer fruit deserves its own delicious, dedicated peachy post. As a “Georgia Peach” myself, these golden orbs are linked to childhood memories. Growing up, we’d vacation at the beach every summer and my daddy would work all week then drive to meet us on the island every weekend. I remember him arriving late every Friday after navigating backwoods Georgia roads which passed plantation houses and rode through acres of groves as far as the eye could see and peach orchards laden with fruit. He’d always stop at some roadside local farm and purchase a bushel basket. We’d run out to his car, barefoot, browned and up way past our bedtime when we’d see the headlights of his car dancing down the driveway through the Spanish moss overhanging from massive oak trees. Before he could even park, we’d hijack his car and someone would scurry onto his lap to “help” park the car. The aroma of ripe peaches would greet us the moment we opened the door.
Is there anything as delightful as ripe peaches dripping down the elbow of an eager child? I remember the sensation well, and now have a toddler of my own who cant get enough of this juicy fruit!
We are coming off of two months of being a “fractured family”. Kids at camp, visiting friends, trips with grandparents, and a move for our family from Greenville to Columbia! One day last week, Chad noted that our family of 9 were spread between 5 cities! Life is a little crazy! Last night we picked up two kids at the Charlotte airport. Tonight we’re driving to pick up another one coming into the Greenville airport! I bought a flat of peaches at Costco but with the census down at our house, we had a batch in our pantry that was on its way “out”. In an effort to salvage these, we made up an old fashioned peach cobbler this weekend and oh my….I forgot how much I loved this dessert!
The scent itself is divine as the oven draws out the juices and your cobbler bakes up. We’ve adapted a traditional old-school recipe and simplified for the busy modern momma. Promise you’ll love this one.
Ingredients
4 large peaches
1/4 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter
3/4 C. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 C. flour
1 t. baking powder
dash of salt
dash of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350. Coat your 9×13 baking pan with a bit of melted butter. Slice peaches and layer in pan. No need to peel first. Sprinkle with 1/4 C. of sugar over top of peaches.
In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients first. Then add butter and vanilla. Blend with a fork. Should form a cookie-dough-like consistency.
Crumble over the top of the peaches to create an even layer. And press down with your hand or the back of a wooden spoon.
Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. At this point, pull out and sprinkle with a bit more sugar. Return to oven for about 10 more minutes.
Then crank the heat up to broil (about 475 degrees) and give the cobbler just a few more minutes to make it golden brown and a little crunchy. Watch carefully to avoid burning as it can go quick!
To serve the perfect saucy dessert, let stand for 20 minutes….but you may find it challenging to wait!
We dish out in cups with a generous dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
And here’s my secret confession…..a little scoop for breakfast the next day from the leftovers is totally allowed because, well…..its fruit, right?
Breakfast of champions!