Grandma’s Peach Cobbler Pie

Ingredients:

For the Peach Filling:

For the Pie Crust:

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. This helps to ensure an even distribution of the ingredients.

Cut in Shortening: Add the butter-flavored shortening to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or dough hooks, blend the shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This process creates a flaky texture for the crust.

Add Ice Water: Gradually add the 1/3 cup of ice water to the mixture. Use your hands to gently mix until a dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can lead to a tough crust.

Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 45 minutes. Chilling the dough helps to relax the gluten and results in a tender crust.

Step 2: Prepare the Peach Filling

Heat the Peaches: In a large pot, combine the sliced frozen peaches, 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Turn the heat to medium-high.
Cook the Mixture: Allow the peach mixture to come to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. This will help to infuse the flavors and soften the peaches.

Add Butter and Vanilla: Once the mixture starts bubbling, add the 8 tablespoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Stir until the butter is melted and fully incorporated.
Thicken the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of water with 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, mixing well to avoid lumps. Gradually pour this mixture into the simmering peach filling, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer while you prepare the crust.

Step 3: Assemble the Cobbler

Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, divide the chilled dough in half. Roll out one half into a rectangle large enough to fit into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Transfer the rolled dough to the dish, pressing it gently into the corners.

Bake Dough Squares: From the second half of the dough, roll it out and cut it into 1-inch squares. Place the squares onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 7 minutes or until lightly golden. This step adds a delightful texture to the cobbler.

Combine with Peach Filling: Pour the warm peach filling into the prepared baking dish. Remove the baked squares from the oven and gently fold them into the peach mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Create a Lattice Top: Roll out the remaining dough and cut it into strips. Arrange the strips over the peach filling in a lattice pattern. This not only adds a beautiful presentation but also allows the filling to bubble up beautifully.

Step 4: Bake the Cobbler

Bake the assembled cobbler in the preheated oven at 375°F for 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once baked, remove the cobbler from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 15 minutes. This cooling period helps the filling set up a bit more.
Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which complements the sweetness of the peaches perfectly.

For added flavor, consider mixing in a tablespoon of lemon juice with the peach filling to enhance the fruit’s natural sweetness.
If you prefer fresh peaches, you can substitute frozen peaches with an equal amount of fresh, peeled, and sliced peaches.

Enjoy the delightful flavors and comforting aromas of this classic peach cobbler pie, just like Grandma used to make!