Sourdough Peach Cobbler

If you’re looking for a cozy, easy dessert that uses up a bit of your sourdough starter, you’re in for a treat today. This Sourdough Peach Cobbler recipe is everything you could want in a dessert: sweet, juicy peaches tucked under a soft, fluffy, slightly tangy topping that’s golden and buttery.

Not only is this cobbler incredibly simple to throw together, but it also makes the most of your sourdough discard (or active starter!). Plus, it’s the kind of dessert that feels fancy enough for company but easy enough for a regular Tuesday night.

If you’ve never tried a sourdough cobbler before, trust me—this will be your new go-to summer recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Peach Cobbler

• 🍑 Perfectly sweet and juicy – Fresh peaches make this cobbler sing.

• 🥄 Easy to make – No fancy equipment or techniques required.

• 🌾 Uses sourdough discard – A great way to reduce waste and add flavor.

• ☀️ Great for summer gatherings – Picnics, barbecues, or lazy Sunday afternoons.

• 🧡 Cozy and comforting – Like a big hug in dessert form!

What Is a Cobbler, Anyway?

A cobbler is a rustic dessert made with a fruit filling (like peaches, berries, or apples) that's topped with a biscuit-like or cake-like dough before baking. Unlike a pie, there's no need to fuss with a crust—just scoop the batter on top and bake.

In this version, we’re adding a little bit of sourdough starter to the topping, which makes it extra fluffy and gives a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with the sweet peaches.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Peach Filling:

• 6–7 ripe peaches, peeled and sliced

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

For the Sourdough Cobbler Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup sourdough starter (discard or active)

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp salt

• 6 tbsp cold butter, cubed

• ¼ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp vinegar)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional for Serving:

• Vanilla ice cream

• Whipped cream

• Extra cinnamon sugar for sprinkling

What Kind of Sourdough Starter Should I Use?

You can use sourdough discard (the unfed starter you’d normally throw away before feeding) or an active, bubbly starter. Either one will work! Discard tends to give a slightly stronger sour flavor, while active starter will be a bit milder.

If you love that signature sourdough tang, use discard straight from the fridge!

Tools You’ll Need

• 9x13" baking dish or deep pie dish

• Mixing bowls

• Whisk

• Pastry cutter or fork (or your hands!)

• Spatula

• Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Sourdough Peach Cobbler

1. Prepare the Peaches

In a large bowl, toss the sliced peaches with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Let them sit for 10–15 minutes while you prepare the topping—this helps draw out their natural juices and create a luscious filling.

2. Make the Cobbler Topping

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips, until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.

Stir in the sourdough starter, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until just combined. The batter will be thick and sticky—that’s exactly what you want!

3. Assemble the Cobbler

Pour the peaches and all their juices into your greased baking dish. Dollop spoonfuls of the cobbler topping evenly over the peaches. It doesn’t have to be perfect—rustic is the vibe here!

Optional: sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the top for extra crunch and sparkle.

4. Bake

Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and cooked through, and the peach filling is bubbling around the edges.

If the top starts browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil.

5. Cool and Serve

Let the cobbler cool for about 15 minutes before digging in (this helps the filling thicken up a bit).

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate treat!

Tips for the Best Peach Cobbler

• 🍑 Use ripe but firm peaches – Overripe peaches can make the cobbler too watery.

• ❄️ No fresh peaches? – Frozen (thawed and drained) or canned peaches (well-drained) work too.

• 🧈 Keep the butter cold – Cold butter in the topping makes it fluffy and tender.

• ⏳ Don’t overmix the dough – Stir just until combined to keep it light.

Make It Your Own

Feeling creative? Here are some fun variations:

• 🍓 Sourdough Peach Berry Cobbler: Add a handful of blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries to the peaches.

• 🍯 Honey Peach Cobbler: Replace some of the sugar with a few tablespoons of honey.

• 🥥 Coconut Peach Cobbler: Add a handful of shredded coconut to the topping for a tropical twist.

• 🍋 Citrus Boost: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to the filling for extra brightness.

How to Store Leftovers

• Room Temperature: Cover and keep for up to 1 day.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.

• Freezer: Freeze tightly wrapped cobbler for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven.

(Pro tip: Always store it without ice cream on top!)

FAQs

Can I use other fruits besides peaches?

Absolutely! This sourdough cobbler topping works beautifully with berries, cherries, nectarines, plums, or apples.

Do I need to peel the peaches?

I recommend peeling them for the best texture, but if you're in a hurry (or love the skins), you can leave them on.

Can I make the topping ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the cobbler dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just dollop it over the fruit when you’re ready to bake.

Final Thoughts: Your New Favorite Summer Dessert

This Sourdough Peach Cobbler is everything I love about summer baking: fresh fruit, easy preparation, and loads of cozy flavor. Plus, it’s such a satisfying way to use up sourdough starter without the work of bread-making.

Whether you’re serving it warm at a family barbecue, bringing it to a picnic, or just sneaking a piece for breakfast (no judgment here!), this cobbler is pure sunshine on a plate.

I hope you give it a try and fall in love with this simple, beautiful dessert. If you do, don’t forget to leave a comment below, tag me on Instagram, or save it to your Pinterest boards!