July 4th Peach Cobbler

July 4^th Peach Cobbler

Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Bake time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz) can of peaches (or equivalent in mixed fruit), undrained

• 1.25 cups (1 cup + 1/4 cup) baking and biscuit mix

• 1/4 cup shelf-stable milk (more if needed, see notes)

• 1/4 cup sugar (can adjust to taste, especially if your peaches are in heavy syrup)

• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine (optional, but recommended for a richer crust - if you don't have this, it will still work, just be a bit less rich)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but nice if you have it)

• Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (optional, for spice)

Equipment:

• 8x8 inch baking dish (or similar size)

• Mixing bowl

• Whisk or fork

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare Fruit: Open your 15 oz can of peaches (or mixed fruit). Do not drain. Pour the peaches and their liquid into your baking dish. If you have cinnamon or nutmeg, you can sprinkle a pinch over the peaches now.

3. Melt Butter (Optional): If using butter, melt it and pour it over the peaches in the baking dish. This will create a nice base for the cobbler topping.

4. Make the Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the baking and biscuit mix, sugar, and milk. Stir with a whisk or fork until just combined. The mixture will be thick and shaggy, like a drop biscuit dough. If it's too dry and crumbly to form clumps, add another tablespoon or two of milk until it comes together. If you have vanilla, stir it in now.

5. Assemble the Cobbler: Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit topping evenly over the peaches in the baking dish. It doesn't need to be perfect or cover every bit of the fruit; it will spread as it bakes.

6. Bake: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbly. The exact time will depend on your oven and the thickness of your topping.

7. Cool and Serve: Let the cobbler cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to thicken. Serve warm.

Tips and Variations (still apply):

• Sweetness: Taste your peaches before adding all the sugar to the topping. If they are very sweet (like peaches in heavy syrup), you might want to reduce the sugar slightly.

• Thicker Filling: If you prefer a thicker fruit filling, you can whisk 1 tablespoon of flour or cornstarch into the undrained peaches before adding the topping.

• Crispier Topping: For a crispier topping, you can sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar over the biscuit topping before baking.

• No Butter? No Problem! The cobbler will still be delicious without the added butter. The biscuit mix has fat in it already.

• Fourth of July Flair: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you happen to have some, or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra festive touch!