There’s something so comforting about a warm peach cobbler bubbling away in a cast iron skillet. This simple, 4-ingredient version is inspired by those classic Southern church potlucks and Sunday suppers where someone always showed up with a peach dessert that disappeared in minutes. You don’t need any fancy baking skills or a long list of ingredients—just a few pantry staples and a skillet. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together on a busy weeknight or when last-minute guests pop in, and it still feels special. The peaches get syrupy and sweet, the topping turns golden and buttery, and the whole house smells like you’ve been baking all day, even though it only took a few minutes to pull together.
This peach cobbler is lovely all on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream really makes it feel like a treat. If you’re serving it after dinner, pair it with something simple and light, like grilled chicken and a big green salad, so everyone still has room for dessert. For a more Southern-style spread, serve it after barbecue pulled pork, coleslaw, and baked beans. On cozy weekends, I’ll sometimes make this cobbler for a special afternoon snack and set it out with hot coffee for the grown-ups and cold milk for the kids. If you have leftovers (you might not!), it’s surprisingly good the next morning with a spoonful of plain yogurt—almost like a breakfast crumble.
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Simple Southern 4-Ingredient Peach Cobbler Skillet
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk
2 cans (15–16 oz each) sliced peaches in heavy syrup, undrained (optional: count as part of the 4 if you prefer and omit either sugar or self-rising flour, but classic version uses these 5 items)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the butter in a 10–12 inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron works best) and put the skillet in the oven for a few minutes to melt the butter. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t brown too much.
While the butter melts, whisk together the self-rising flour, sugar, and milk in a medium bowl until the batter is mostly smooth. A few small lumps are okay—don’t overmix.
Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Swirl the melted butter around so it coats the bottom and a bit of the sides.
Pour the batter into the skillet right over the melted butter. Do not stir. The butter will sneak up the sides and over the top in spots, and that’s what helps make the cobbler edges so tasty.
Spoon the peaches and all their syrup evenly over the batter. Again, do not stir. The batter will rise up around the peaches as it bakes, creating that classic cobbler look.
Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. The center should be set but still a little soft.
Let the cobbler cool for about 10–15 minutes before serving. It will thicken slightly as it rests, making it easier to scoop. Serve warm, straight from the skillet.
Variations & Tips
If you’re cooking for picky eaters, you can chop the peach slices into smaller pieces so there’s a little fruit in every bite without big chunks that might turn kids off. For a slightly less sweet version, use one can of peaches in juice and one in light syrup, or reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by mixing 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. To lean into warm fall flavors, sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg over the peaches before baking (this technically adds an extra ingredient, but just a pinch can make a big difference). You can also swap the peaches for other canned fruit, like cherries or pears, or use frozen sliced peaches—just thaw and drain them and add an extra spoonful of sugar. For a slightly crispier top, sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar over the batter right before it goes into the oven. And if you need to make this ahead, bake it earlier in the day, then rewarm the skillet in a low oven (about 300°F) for 10–15 minutes before serving so it’s cozy and warm when everyone gathers around the table.

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