Easy Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler With Fresh Peaches
Do you need an excuse to pick up a basket of fresh peaches from the local farmer’s market or a delicious treat in the slow cooker to accompany a summer get-together? Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler with Fresh Peaches and the most delicious Yogurt Whipped Cream is the perfect summer dessert!
Ahhhh peach cobbler… few desserts signal that summer is on the way more than this one!
If your warm-weather schedule is like mine, you probably have a calendar full of picnics, cook-outs, family gatherings, and days spent outdoors. What better time for a simple and traditional slow cooker dessert that is bursting with the flavors of the fruit of the season?
Whether you get your peaches at your local grocery store or a fresh farmer’s market, this dessert is the perfect excuse to serve up some warm and sweet gooey goodness contrasted with a cool cream topping.
What exactly is a cobbler?
This is one of those scrumptious dishes that can vary in technicalities by region or tradition (crumble or crisp, anyone?), but is essentially a firmer fruit filling with a baked topping of either batter or crumbly mix.
A cobbler differs from your traditional cake or pie because it is designed to NOT hold a typical structure by allowing the natural juices and sweeteners of fresh fruit to meld into the entire dish. The topping will generally bake or crisp before the fruit is cooked which allows it to retain its texture and not completely absorb the fruit juices.
Peach Cobbler Ingredient List
Simple, traditional ingredients with the perfect blend of flavors highlight the sweetness of fresh peaches. Most of these are likely already pantry staples!
Peaches
The star of the show! You’ll know the “feel” of a perfectly juicy ripe peach – not too firm and not too soft. A firmer fruit will cook slightly longer in the slow cooker bringing out every bit of sweet and tangy flavor. If fresh peaches are not available, an alternate option is to use 16 ounces of frozen peaches.
Pantry Staples
Another perk of this easy slow cooker peach cobbler is that it incorporates many ingredients already in your kitchen! Basics for the filling include:
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- all-purpose flour
- cornstarch
And for the topping:
- flour
- oats
- spices and seasonings: brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt
Lastly, powdered sugar and vanilla extract are necessary for delectable whipped cream.
Lemon juice
This small addition (fresh squeezed or from a bottle) counters the natural sugars of the peaches to bring out the juicy flavor.
Refrigerated
Butter is essential for the crumbly cobbler topping.
And of course, one simply cannot serve a peach cobbler without a cream topping. This topping brings in a special twist by incorporating whole milk yogurt! Look for any brand of whole milk yogurt and pair it with heavy whipping cream. Adding in powdered sugar and vanilla gives just enough sweetness to the already-sweet peach filling.
If you prefer not to make the whipped topping, vanilla ice cream is another great option.
Step By Step Instructions
Begin with the filling.
- Peel and dice peaches into bite sized pieces. Mix together the brown sugar, flour, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Evenly coat the peaches with the mixture and add the lemon juice.
- Spray all sides of your slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray and spread peach filling in an even layer across the bottom (I used a 2.5 quart mini casserole slow cooker, but any 3-5 quart slow cooker will work).
Next, the topping.
- In a large bowl, stir together all the topping ingredients – except butter – until well combined.
- Cut cold butter into tiny pieces and then use a large fork to cut the butter into the topping mixture until crumbly. You can also use a pastry cutter in place of a fork to evenly distribute the butter into the mix.
- Now, using large spoonfuls, spread the topping over the filling in the slow cooker. You’ll want to ensure there are a few open spaces throughout the topping layer (where you can see the fruit filling) to allow steam to escape. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours until the fruit is bubbling and the oats in the topping are tender.
And now, the yogurt whipped cream!
- Besides the peaches, this is the next essential, right? Using either a hand mixer and a large bowl or your stand mixer, beat the heavy cream with sugar and vanilla for 3-4 minutes or until cream forms stiff peaks that hold when removing the beater. (Tip: be sure your heavy cream is very cold and that your bowl is also cool to the touch! This ensures the fat content does not begin to melt – lessening “peak” effectiveness.)
- Now, add the yogurt to the whipped cream in spoonfuls and beat again until just combined.
Enjoy!
Serve up your warm peach cobbler right from the slow cooker with dollops of fresh-whipped-yogurt-cream or ice cream on the top!
What is the best way to serve slow cooker peach cobbler?
To balance the sweet and syrupy fruit filling, serve with a creamy topping – your taste buds will thank you! Any variation of whipped cream (especially those that can help meet a variety of dietary needs) or vanilla ice cream is a must. You could also introduce an additional texture by adding an extra sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of chopped almonds or pecans.
Can this peach cobbler be stored and reheated?
Yes, you can store this tasty treat to enjoy again! Divide up remaining portions from the slow cooker or transfer all leftovers to one dish and allow the cobbler to cool to room temperature. Seal with an airtight lid before placing in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, transfer your cobbler to an oven-safe dish and into the oven at 350 degrees until you reach the desired temperature or microwave a single-serving at a time in short intervals.
If you happen to have leftover whipped cream (a rare occurrence!), you’ll want to store that in a separate container.
Peach Cobbler FAQ’s
- Is it better to use fresh or canned peaches for cobbler? Fresh peaches are ideal for that perfect tangy flavor, but this recipe is also foolproof and delicious with canned peaches. Another option for your pantry to prepare a slow cooker dessert with a few hours notice!
- What can I use to thicken my peach cobbler? If the peaches are more on the ripe side and already very juicy, you can sprinkle a bit of extra cornstarch or tapioca flour into the filling until you reach the desired texture.
- Why is my peach cobbler soggy? A peach cobbler that is soggy after a few hours in the slow cooker may have not had enough thickener in the filling, or it may be that it needs extra time to cool when finished cooking.
- Should I use a liner in my slow cooker? No liner is necessary if you thoroughly coat the slow cooker pot with a non-stick cooking spray.
- Can I substitute a different fruit instead of peaches in this recipe? This recipe is a perfect base for swapping similar fruits!
Easy Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler With Fresh Peaches
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Hand-held mixer or stand mixer for the whipped cream
Ingredients
For filling:
- 8-10 fresh peaches ripe but not too soft
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
For topping:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick butter, cold
For yogurt whipped cream:
- 8 oz Heavy Cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5.3 oz Whole Milk Yogurt
Instructions
For filling:
- Peel and dice peaches into bite sized pieces
- Mix with remaining filling ingredients
- Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and add peach filling (I used a 2.5 quart mini casserole slow cooker but any 3-5 quart slow cooker will work)
For topping:
- In a large bowl stir together all topping ingredients except butter until combined
- Cut cold butter into tiny pieces and then use a large fork to cut the butter into the topping mixture until crumbly
- Add the topping to the filling in the slow cooker and cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours until bubbling and oats in the topping are tender
For yogurt whipped cream:
- In a large bowl using hand mixer or in a stand mixer beat heavy cream with sugar and vanilla for 3-4 minutes or until cream forms stiff peaks that hold when removing beater
- Add yogurt and beat again until just combined
- Serve warm cobbler with fresh yogurt whipped cream
Notes
- This recipe can work just as well with easy and minimal swaps to meet any gluten-free needs! Simply substitute a gluten free all-purpose flour, and certified gluten free oats (this can be easily checked on the packaging).
- Leaving or removing the peach skin for cobbler is really a matter of personal preference in regards to textures. If you do leave the peach skin intact, be sure to dice the fruit in small, even pieces.
- In the summer, your slow cooker may be occupied by other tasty dishes! You can also prep this recipe by following the same steps with an oven-safe dish and non-stick cooking spray. Bake until the fruit filling is bubbly and the topping is lightly browned.
