Smoky Sweet Perfection: The Ultimate Grilled Peach Cobbler in a Cast Iron Skillet
Experience the quintessential taste of summer with this incredible Grilled Peach Cobbler. This recipe masterfully combines the luscious sweetness of seasonal peaches with the smoky charm of the grill, all prepared conveniently in a single cast iron skillet. It’s the perfect dessert to complement any backyard barbecue, outdoor gathering, or even a cozy campfire evening. Simple to make and utterly delicious, this cobbler truly highlights the magic of fresh summer fruit cooked al fresco.
As the days grow shorter and the crisp air hints at autumn’s arrival, there’s a particular joy in savoring the last bounties of summer. For me, that means peaches! There’s something undeniably special about ripe, juicy peaches, and I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate them into my cooking before the season ends and pumpkin spice takes over.
From delightful desserts to savory mains, sauces, and refreshing drinks, fresh peaches bring an unparalleled sweetness and aroma to every dish. While their versatility is vast, a classic peach cobbler remains a timeless favorite. The irresistible combination of sweet, tender peaches, rich brown sugar, and a hint of butter, all crowned with a golden, flaky biscuit topping, creates a dessert that embodies comfort and joy. It’s a dish meant for sharing, perfect for gathering friends and family.
This particular peach cobbler recipe takes a beloved classic and elevates it with an exciting twist: it’s cooked entirely on the grill. Grilling isn’t just for dinner anymore; it’s a fantastic way to prepare desserts, especially during the warmer months when keeping your kitchen cool is a priority. Imagine the subtle smoky notes infused into every bite, adding an extra layer of complexity to the sweet peaches. So, while you’re firing up the grill for your main course, why not throw on dessert too and impress everyone with this unique and flavorful Grilled Peach Cobbler?
Explore More Delicious Cobbler Recipes: Peach Plum Cobbler | Christmas Cranberry Cobbler | Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble
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Essential Equipment for Your Grilled Peach Cobbler
One of the beauties of this grilled peach cobbler recipe lies in its simplicity and minimal equipment requirements. You don’t need a myriad of specialized tools to achieve this impressive dessert. The primary tools you’ll need are readily available in most kitchens, making this a fantastic recipe for both seasoned grill masters and novice bakers alike.
First, you will need a couple of large mixing bowls: one for preparing the succulent peach filling, ensuring all the flavors are perfectly blended, and another for crafting the buttery biscuit topping. These bowls provide ample space for mixing ingredients thoroughly without making a mess.
The star of the show, beyond the peaches themselves, is your favorite cast iron skillet. A good quality cast iron skillet (like this durable Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet or a reliable Lodge skillet) is indispensable for this recipe. Its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly is crucial for achieving a perfectly cooked cobbler with a bubbly fruit base and golden-brown topping. The cast iron also adds a rustic charm, perfect for serving straight from the grill.
Finally, of course, you’ll need a grill! Whether it’s a gas grill, charcoal grill, or a pellet grill like my personal favorite, the Traeger Lil Tex Elite 34 Pellet Grill, any grill that can maintain a consistent temperature will work beautifully. The enclosed environment of the grill acts much like an oven, baking the cobbler to perfection while infusing it with subtle smoky notes that can’t be replicated indoors. This recipe is also fantastic for those who enjoy cooking over an open campfire, offering a truly authentic outdoor cooking experience.
Crafting Your Delicious Grilled Peach Cobbler!
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating this unforgettable grilled peach cobbler. Each stage is designed to maximize flavor and ensure a perfectly baked dessert every time. Follow along for a smooth and satisfying grilling experience.
Step 1: Preparing and Grilling the Peach Base
To infuse your cobbler with an extra layer of deep, complex flavor, we begin by lightly grilling the peaches themselves. Start by cutting your fresh peaches in half and removing the pits. Place these halves directly on the preheated grill for approximately 5 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even charring and caramelization. This initial grilling step not only softens the peaches but also coaxes out their natural sugars, intensifying their sweetness and adding a wonderful smoky depth that distinguishes this cobbler from its oven-baked counterparts.
Once the peaches are cool enough to handle, slice them into thin, luscious pieces. Transfer these grilled peach slices to a large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar for rich sweetness, all-purpose flour to help thicken the juices into a syrupy consistency, and a blend of warm spices like ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. These spices complement the peaches beautifully, adding a comforting aroma and flavor. Stir everything together gently until the peach slices are evenly coated. Pour this fragrant mixture into your cast-iron skillet, spreading it out evenly.
Step 2: First Grill – Creating the Juicy Filling
Now that your peach base is assembled in the skillet, dot the top of the peach mixture with small, evenly spaced pieces of unsalted butter. These butter cubes will melt into the peaches as they cook, adding richness and contributing to a luxurious, bubbly filling. Cover the entire cast iron skillet tightly with aluminum foil. This foil lid will help steam the peaches, ensuring they become incredibly tender and that the flavors meld together beautifully. Place the covered skillet directly on your preheated grill, close the lid, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until you see the peach filling bubbling enthusiastically around the edges. This step is crucial for softening the fruit and starting the delicious cooking process before adding the topping.
Step 3: Preparing the Fluffy Biscuit Topping
While your peaches are bubbling away on the grill, it’s the perfect time to prepare the delectable biscuit topping. In a medium mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these together until well combined. Create a small well in the center of the dry ingredients. Into this well, pour the heavy cream and the melted unsalted butter. Using a spoon or a spatula, gently stir everything together just until a cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough biscuits. The goal is a light, tender topping that will cook up beautifully on the grill, providing a wonderful textural contrast to the soft fruit below.
Step 4: Second Grill – Achieving Golden Perfection
Carefully remove the aluminum foil from your skillet, being mindful of the hot steam that will escape. Now, generously dollop spoonfuls of your prepared biscuit dough mixture over the hot peach filling in the skillet. You can arrange them in an even layer or create a more rustic, free-form look – either way, they will be delicious. Discard the foil and close the grill lid once more. Continue to grill until the biscuit topping is beautifully browned, puffed up, and cooked through, which should take approximately another 15 minutes. The biscuits should be firm to the touch and golden on top. Once cooked, carefully remove the skillet from the grill using heat-resistant gloves and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This resting period allows the cobbler to set slightly and the flavors to deepen. Serve warm, straight from the skillet, ideally with a generous scoop of cold vanilla ice cream melting gloriously over the top!
Seeking more inspiration for delightful sweet treats? Discover a variety of options on my dessert recipes page!
For another fantastic peach-inspired dessert, these bourbon peach cinnamon rolls are an absolute must-make during the summertime. They offer a different but equally satisfying way to enjoy the season’s best fruit.
Tips for Success and Variations
To ensure your grilled peach cobbler turns out perfectly every time, here are a few extra tips:
- Choosing Ripe Peaches: Select peaches that are fragrant and give slightly when gently squeezed. Avoid overly hard or bruised fruit. Freestone peaches are generally easier to pit and slice.
- Temperature Control: Grills can have hot spots. If your biscuits are browning too quickly, consider moving the skillet to a slightly cooler part of the grill or lowering the heat slightly.
- Doneness Check: The peach filling should be visibly bubbling, and the biscuits should be golden brown and cooked through. A toothpick inserted into a biscuit should come out clean.
- Spiced Variations: Feel free to adjust the spice levels to your preference. A touch of ginger or cardamom can also pair wonderfully with peaches.
- Frozen Peaches: If fresh peaches aren’t in season, you can use frozen sliced peaches. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mixing with sugar and flour. You might skip the initial grilling step for frozen peaches.
- Serving Suggestions: While vanilla ice cream is classic, consider serving with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a sprinkle of toasted pecans, or even a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce for an extra indulgence.
Storage and Reheating
If by some miracle you have any leftover grilled peach cobbler, it stores beautifully! Cover the skillet tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the cobbler to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual servings in the microwave or place the entire skillet back on a low grill or in an oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through and the topping is crisp again.
Finally, if you try this fantastic grilled peach cobbler recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card below and/or leave a comment! Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and I truly love hearing when you recreate my recipes. I make an effort to respond to every single comment and answer any questions you might have.
Feel free to drop questions below as well, if you have them!
Oh, and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! It’s truly my favorite thing to see these delicious creations come to life in your homes – looking through those photos means the world to me!
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Grilled Peach Cobbler
equipment
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Wooden Spoon & Scraper
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
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Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet, 9-Inch
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Hickory Hardwood Grill Pellets
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Traeger Lil Tex Elite 34 Pellet Grill
ingredients
- 6 large peaches pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- Pinch of salt
instructions
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Preheat the grill to 350˚F to 400˚F.
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Place the peaches on the grill, cooking for 5 minutes total with the lid closed, flipping halfway through.
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Remove peaches and slice, once cool enough to handle, into thin slices.
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Add peaches to a large bowl with sugar, flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to combine until everything is evenly coated. Add the mixture to a 10-inch or 12-inch cast iron skillet and top with the small piece of butter all over. Cover with aluminum foil.
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Place skillet on the grill, cover, and cook until bubbling and hot, about 15 minutes.
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While the peaches are cooking, make the biscuit topping. Add flour, sugar, and baking powder to a medium bowl. Stir until combined. Make a well in the center and add cream and melted butter to the center. Stir until the mixture comes together.
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Remove the foil from the skillet and dollop peaches with the dough mixture all over. Discard foil and cover the grill. Cook until the biscuits are browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes before serving with vanilla ice cream.