Does anybody remember the Pepperridge Farm Cookies called Bordeaux? They were thin, buttery and burnt-sugar tasting: my downfall in every way.
The unusual topping for this peach cobbler, created by sprinkling sugar over the batter then drizzling it with hot water to melt, reminds me of those cookies. But better.
Combined with the sweet, summery peaches and pudding-like texture of the filling, it makes for a beautiful, and quite addictive, dessert.
We did two 8X8 pans instead of one 9X11, so I upped the peaches to about 8 pounds and doubled the rest. I ended having extra. I almost tried to make Bordeaux cookies out of it. Next time!
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:58]
Peach Cobbler
Recipe by Renee Erickson and Jess Thompson in A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus: Menus and Stories and found on Leite’s Culinaria.
4 1/2 pounds (about 10 large) peaches, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch chunks or slices
Zest and juice of 1 lemon, preferably organic
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups (about 192 grams) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup whole milk (or substitute almond milk)
1/2 cup hot water
Heavy cream, cold, for drizzling
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, pressing it into the edges of the pan and allowing a little excess foil to hang over the edge of the sheet.
Place the peaches in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and pat them in a roughly even layer. Using a zester or a Microplane, finely zest the lemon evenly over the peaches and then squeeze the lemon juice evenly over the peaches, too, catching any seeds before they plummet into the baking dish and get lost among the peaches.
In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar on medium speed until sandy, about 1 minute. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and beat again for another 30 seconds, until all the flour is incorporated and the mixture is evenly crumbly. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the milk. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes more.
Plop the batter in 6 large blobs over the peaches. With an offset spatula or small knife, carefully spread the batter evenly over the fruit so it’s no more than about 1/2 inch thick in any place.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup sugar over the batter. Then drizzle the hot water evenly over the sugar to melt the sugar into the topping. (Yes, it’s a strange method, but it works. Trust us.)
Place the baking dish on the foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until the top is cracked and golden brown. (You’ll want to start checking it at 60 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the topping should come out dry—just be sure to check it in a few places.)
Let the cobbler sit in the baking dish on a wire rack for at least half an hour. (It’s no fun to wait, we understand. But scalding hot stone fruits are no fun, either.) Scoop the warm peach cobbler into big bowls and dribble heavy cream on top.
