When peaches and strawberries are at their best, they do not need an elaborate dessert to shine. This peach and strawberry cobbler combines the two fruits in a baking dish beneath a soft, cake-like topping.

The fruit becomes tender and juicy in the oven, while the topping develops a lightly golden surface and a soft center.

Ingredients

For 6 servings:

150g golden caster sugar

4 peaches — quartered

200g strawberries — hulled and quartered

100ml water

100g butter — softened, plus extra for the dish

100g self-raising flour

2 eggs

1 tablespoon cream or milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract — optional for the peach syrup

A handful of flaked almonds — optional

2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts — optional alternative to almonds

Extra caster sugar — for sprinkling

Preparation and Cooking Time

Preparation takes about 20 minutes. Baking takes approximately 45 minutes, although the peaches need a few minutes of gentle cooking before the cobbler goes into the oven. Allow about 10 minutes of resting time after baking before serving.

Instructions

1. Place 50g of the sugar and 100ml water in a saucepan. Add a small splash of vanilla extract if desired, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

2. Add the quartered peaches to the pan, cover, and cook gently for about 5 minutes. The peaches should soften slightly without becoming mushy.

3. Carefully remove the peaches from the syrup and allow them to cool enough to handle. If the skins loosen during cooking, remove them carefully with tongs.

4. Place the softened butter, remaining sugar, self-raising flour, eggs, cream or milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a food processor. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth. The mixture can also be stirred together by hand with a wooden spoon.

5. Heat the oven to 180°C, or 160°C for a fan oven. Lightly butter a roughly 20 x 30cm round or oval baking dish.

6. Arrange the prepared peaches and strawberries across the bottom of the baking dish, spreading them into an even layer.

7. Spoon the topping mixture over the fruit in small, loose mounds. Leaving spaces between some of the portions allows the fruit to remain visible and bubble around the topping. Alternatively, spread the mixture across the surface for a more covered finish.

8. Scatter the flaked almonds over the topping, or use chopped hazelnuts if preferred. Sprinkle a little extra caster sugar across the surface.

9. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the fruit is hot and bubbling and the topping is fully cooked.

10. Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it stand for about 10 minutes. Serve while warm.

Tips for a Better Cobbler

The peaches should only be partially cooked before baking. They will continue cooking in the oven, so taking them too far during the first stage can leave the finished fruit overly soft. Pay attention to the consistency of the topping as well. It should be soft enough to spoon over the fruit but substantial enough to sit on the surface. If working in a warm kitchen, very soft butter can make the mixture looser, so the topping may need slight adjustment with flour.

Do not worry about making the topping perfectly even. Its uneven appearance is part of the character of this style of cobbler. Leaving small openings also allows the fruit juices to rise around the soft topping as the dessert bakes.

For added texture, flaked almonds can be scattered over the surface before baking. Chopped hazelnuts offer another option if almonds are not preferred. Both are optional, so the cobbler can be made without nuts.

Serving the Cobbler

This dessert is best served warm after its short resting period. The fruit should still be juicy and hot, while the topping remains soft inside with a lightly browned surface. A spoonful of plain custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can accompany the cobbler if desired. For a simpler presentation, serve it on its own and let the peach and strawberry filling provide most of the flavor.

Peaches and strawberries make a natural pairing for a simple baked dessert. The peaches receive a brief cooking stage before joining the strawberries, while the soft topping adds enough richness to turn the fruit into a satisfying cobbler. Once baked, the bubbling fruit and golden spoonfuls of batter come together into a warm dessert that feels homemade and uncomplicated.