Smoked Peach Cobbler is a delectable dessert that combines sweet, juicy peaches with a smoky, buttery crust. This is the perfect dessert for any BBQ occasion!
Smoked Peach Cobbler – A Delicious & Easy Dessert
This smoked peach cobbler is the kind of recipe that turns everyone into a dessert lover. There’s just something magical about the juicy, sweet peaches enveloped in a smoky, buttery crust that makes this a great dessert, whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just craving something sweet. The best part? It’s served warm, which makes every bite feel like a cozy hug from the inside.
No need to be a seasoned pitmaster for this one – this recipe is as beginner-friendly as they come. As long as you know how to peel peaches and stir ingredients together, you’re set! This is all about simplicity and letting the natural flavors of the ingredients shine through. It’s a testament to how great dishes can come from simple, straightforward methods.
When it comes to tools, all you’ll need is a reliable smoker and a 12-inch cast-iron pan. The cast-iron pan is essential as it evenly distributes the heat, allowing the cobbler to cook perfectly. The smoker, on the other hand, does double duty, cooking the cobbler while infusing it with that irresistible smoky flavor.
With years of grilling and smoking under my belt, I’ve made (and eaten!) a lot of BBQ dishes. But this smoked peach cobbler has a special place in my heart. It combines my love for grilling with my sweet tooth, resulting in a dessert that’s truly unique and undeniably delicious.
So, fire up your smokers and let’s get cooking!
How To Make Smoked Peach Cobbler
Preparing the Smoker
Start off by getting your smoker ready. Preheat it to 275 degrees F. Meanwhile, place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on the grates of the smoker. We’re using the skillet directly on the smoker, which is going to give our cobbler a unique smoky flavor that you’re going to love!
Creating the Peach Filling
Next, it’s time to make your peach filling. Grab a medium saucepan, and combine your granulated sugar, salt, and the zest and juice of a lemon. Heat this mixture over medium heat. Make sure to stir it around until the sugar is completely dissolved. This should take around 1-2 minutes.
Now, take your peeled, cored, and sliced peaches and pour your hot sugar mixture over them. Stir until all the peaches are coated. The sweet and citrusy mix is going to make these peaches sing!
Melting the Butter
Now we’re moving back to our cast-iron skillet. Pop 6 tablespoons of salted butter into the skillet and close the smoker’s lid. The heat from the smoker will melt the butter. This butter is going to add a creamy, rich layer to our cobbler that’ll balance out the sweetness of the peaches.
Mixing the Cobbler Batter
While your butter is melting, let’s prepare the cobbler batter. In a separate bowl, mix together your all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg using a fork or pastry cutter. After you’ve combined these, gradually stir in the milk until the batter is just combined. Don’t worry about lumps – they’re totally fine and will disappear as the cobbler cooks.
Assembling and Smoking the Cobbler
We’re in the home stretch now! Pour your batter over the melted butter in the skillet, but don’t stir it! Then carefully spoon your sugared peaches, along with any remaining juice, over the top of the batter. Close that smoker lid and let it cook for about 60-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges of the cobbler are a beautiful golden brown, and the batter has bubbled up through the peaches and is mostly on top.
Serving the Cobbler
Finally, the best part – serving your delicious smoked peach cobbler! Once it’s finished cooking, remove the skillet from the smoker and let it cool for a bit. The cobbler will be piping hot, so giving it time to cool helps ensure you won’t burn your tongue.
I recommend serving it up with a generous scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melting into the warm cobbler is just heavenly. Now all that’s left is to dig in and enjoy your homemade Smoked Peach Cobbler!
Tips For Making Smoked Peach Cobbler
Ready to take a dive into the delicious world of smoked peach cobbler? This is a simple yet impressive dish that everyone will enjoy. If you’re new to this or smoking in general, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered! Here are a few easy-to-follow tips that will help you get started:
- Choose the right peaches: Juicy, ripe peaches are key for a flavorful cobbler. They should give slightly when squeezed, and have a lovely peachy smell. If you can’t get your hands on fresh peaches, canned peaches will do. Try to avoid frozen peaches.
- Temperature matters: Preheating your smoker to 275F is important for this recipe. A lower temperature gives the cobbler a smoky flavor and a denser texture. If you want crispier edges and a more cake-like consistency, raise the temperature to 350F.
- Monitor your cooking time: While the recommended cooking time is 60-70 minutes, every smoker can be a bit different. Keep an eye on your cobbler as it cooks. When the edges are browned and the batter has moved to the top, you’ll know it’s done.
- Try different fruits: While this recipe uses peaches, feel free to substitute with other fruits. Plums, nectarines, cherries, or blackberries also work well. If you choose apples, cook them slightly first for a softer texture.
- Choosing your wood: The type of wood pellets you use in your smoker can influence the flavor. For this recipe, consider fruitwood like apple or cherry for a subtly sweet and smoky flavor that complements the peaches.
Variations on this Smoked Peach Cobbler Recipe
The beauty of any classic recipe is the opportunity to mix it up with your own unique twists. My smoked peach cobbler recipe is just begging for personal touches. Experimenting with flavors and textures can create a whole new experience without straying too far from the original dish.
Here are a few mouthwatering variations to consider:
Bourbon Peach Cobbler
For a grown-up version of this delightful dish, try adding bourbon to your peaches. Swap out half the lemon juice with bourbon to make a rich, boozy syrup. The bourbon enhances the sweet, tangy flavor of the peaches and gives your cobbler a beautiful depth of flavor. Serve this version at your next adult gathering for a memorable treat!
Brown Sugar and Maple Peach Cobbler
Why not experiment with the sweet elements of the dish? Switch the white granulated sugar for brown sugar to add a warm, molasses-like sweetness to your peaches. Then, drizzle a bit of maple syrup over the cobbler just before serving. The maple syrup infuses the cobbler with a deliciously sweet and earthy flavor that complements the smokiness of the dish.
Vanilla Cobbler with Whipped Cream
Add a touch of vanilla extract to the cobbler batter to enhance the sweet, creamy flavor. Then top your finished cobbler with a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream. The cold, creamy whipped cream cobbler topping melts into the hot cobbler, creating an indulgent contrast of flavors and temperatures that’s simply irresistible.
Biscuit Topped Peach Cobbler
If you want to experiment with textures, try a biscuit topping instead of the traditional cobbler batter. Simply prepare your favorite biscuit dough and drop it by spoonfuls over the sugared peaches before smoking. The result is a cobbler with a fluffy, soft topping that’s perfect for soaking up the sweet peach juices.
What Main To Serve Before Smoked Peach Cobbler
Nothing wraps up a perfect BBQ meal like a dessert of smoked peach cobbler, but what mains should you pair it with? Considering the sweet and smoky flavor profile of the cobbler, we want mains that will complement and balance it perfectly. Here are a few stellar options for mains that go great with this dessert:
Smoked Pulled Pork
The rich, hearty flavor of smoked pulled pork pairs wonderfully with a dessert like smoked peach cobbler. The smoky, savory pork contrasts the sweetness of the peaches, while the smoking technique ties them together. It’s a BBQ match made in heaven!
Grilled Chicken
Another great pairing is simply grilled chicken. Whether it’s a chicken breast, thigh, or a whole bird, the relatively mild flavor of chicken provides a nice backdrop for the bold, sweet, and smoky flavors of the cobbler. Season the chicken with a mixture of herbs and spices for a little extra kick.
BBQ Ribs
BBQ ribs slathered in a sweet and tangy sauce are an excellent match for smoked peach cobbler. The sweetness in the BBQ sauce echoes the sweetness in the cobbler, while the savory pork and smoky char from the grill play off the cobbler’s smoky undertones.
Grilled Salmon
For a lighter option, consider pairing the cobbler with grilled salmon. The salmon’s rich, oily flesh holds up well to the strong flavors of the cobbler. Add a squeeze of lemon to the salmon before grilling to tie it in with the tart notes in the cobbler.
Smoked Peach Cobbler Recipe
Equipment
- Cast-iron Skillet 12-inch
- Medium Saucepan
- Large bowl
Ingredients
Peach Filling
- 5 peaches peeled, cored, and sliced (about 4 cups)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 lemon Zest and juice
Cobbler Batter
- 6 tbsp salted butter (add a pinch of salt if using unsalted butter)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- â…› tsp ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 275F and place your 12-inch cast-iron skillet directly on the grates.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the sugar, salt, lemon zest, and juice over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely (about 1-2 minutes). Pour the hot sugar mixture over your sliced peaches in a large bowl and give it a good stir to coat.
- Melt the butter in the preheated cast iron skillet. Close the smoker lid and let the butter do its thing.
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Slowly stir in the milk until the batter is just combined. It's okay to have some lumps in there.
- Pour the batter over the melted butter in the skillet. Carefully spoon the sugared peaches (and any juice in the bowl) over the top of the cobbler batter. Close the lid and smoke for about 60-70 minutes. You'll know it's done when the edges are browned and the cobbler dough has swapped places with the peaches and is mostly on top.
- Remove the cobbler when it's ready and let it cool a bit before you dig in. I love serving it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Smoked Peach Cobbler FAQs
Can you use canned peaches for smoked peach cobbler?
Yes, you can use canned peaches for smoked peach cobbler. However, fresh peaches often provide a better texture and flavor. If you choose to use canned peaches, be sure to drain them well before using.
How long does smoked peach cobbler last?
Smoked peach cobbler can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days. Just be sure to cover it well to maintain its freshness and flavor.
What main dishes pair well with smoked peach cobbler?
Smoked peach cobbler pairs well with a variety of BBQ main dishes. Some popular options include smoked pulled pork, grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, grilled salmon, and black bean veggie burgers.
Can I make smoked peach cobbler in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the components of smoked peach cobbler in advance. You can slice and sugar the peaches and prepare the batter ahead of time, then assemble and smoke when you’re ready to serve.