Grandma’s Old Fashion Peach Cobbler

Nothing says “Summer in the South” like Grandma’s Old Fashion Peach Cobbler and Ice Cream!

With the smell of fresh peaches wafting through the air at my favorite grocery store I may have become slightly obsessed with peaches and peach recipes!  I am originally from Georgia…The Peach State…so, what can I say?   

For the last month “Grandma” (remember her, my MIL) and Grandpa have been with us.  They came in late July to wait with us for the arrival of my daughter’s first baby….my first grand-baby…..their first great-grand-baby.  Even though we live four hours from my daughter, our home is closer to her than theirs…about 7 hours.  

Besides waiting for THE CALL, we’ve had a great time planning, re-doing my son’s room, picking up last minute baby things and of course…eating, especially desserts!  

Unfortunately, I’m not much of a pie maker and my go-to cobbler is Individual Berry Cobbler…which is great but not quite the same as Grandma’s Old Fashion Peach Cobbler.  So, with delicious fresh peaches at the store and Grandma “in the house” we seized the opportunity to have the perfect Southern summer-time dessert.  After watching her make it, I’m pretty sure I can do it! 

What better way to pass the time and anticipate another generation being born than to share a family recipe preserving it for posterity…. yours and mine. 

Here’s the Recipe:

Pie Filling:

• 1 quart fresh peaches – peeled and sliced
• 3/4 -1 cup sugar (depending on peaches)
• 1 stick butter

Crust:

• 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 c shortening
• 5-6 Tbsp Ice Cold Water

Start by placing several cubes of ice in a cup and adding water.  It’s very important the water be ice-cold

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine peaches, sugar and butter in medium saucepan

Cook slowly, stirring often, until peaches are tender and juice is slightly thickened

Begin making crust but keep an eye on the peaches.  If they get done, transfer to a 1 1/2 quart baking dish and set aside

Stir together flour and salt

Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter or fork until particles are pea sized

Using the ice water (water only, make sure there are no small pieces of ice) Sprinkle 5 Tbsp over flour

*Start with 5 just in case you don’t need it all.  You can always add, but you can’t take it out*

Stir gently until dough clings lightly together when pressed with fingers.  

Add more water as needed to bring it to this point

*As with most dough… BE CAREFUL NOT to over mix… this makes for a tough crust*

Place on a floured board and roll out into a thin layer

Cut into 1-1 1/2 inch wide strips

Check to make sure you have enough strips to cover the peaches(do not cover yet), with strips touching….you should have extra

Place the extra strips on a baking sheet and bake until lightly golden brown

Place peaches in baking dish (if not already done)

Using a spoon, gently push the cooked pastry pieces into the peach mixture

Add the layer of uncooked pastry strips covering the peaches completely

*Make sure the strips go all the way to the sides of the dish and are touching*

Sprinkle with a little sugar, if desired and bake at 350 degrees until pastry is golden brown

 

Best if served warm with a big scoop of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream….Bluebell, of course!