This classic Peach Cobbler is a favorite at Liberty Inn at American Adventure pavilion at Epcot, inspired from a recipe featured in What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking, the first cookbook authored by an African-American. Abby Fisher, who was a cook, was born into slavery in Alabama and moved to San Francisco after the Civil War. There she started a business where she made and sold pickles and preserves. Unable to read or write, Mrs. Fisher dictated her recipes – including the one below – to a member of the Women’s Cooperative Printing Office in San Francisco. What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking was published in 1881.

In honor of Black History Month, you can enjoy this dish at Liberty Inn at Epcot. You can also see an original copy of the cookbook in the pavilion’s exhibit “Re-Discovering America,” Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection, which is included in park admission.

The recipe makes individual servings, and it’s delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Peach Cobbler
Serves 8

COBBLER DOUGH

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup boiling water, divided

OAT TOPPING

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

PEACH FILLING

  • 1/3 cup peach juice, divided
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 pound (4 cups) frozen peaches
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

FOR COBBLER DOUGH:

  1. Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
  2. Mix on low speed, slowly adding butter until dough is crumbly.
  3. Add boiling water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough is soft and no longer crumbly.
  4. Roll dough into log 3 inches wide. Cover in plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours or until firm.

FOR OAT TOPPING:

  1. Mix flour, sugar, oats, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
  2. Stir in melted butter. Refrigerate until ready to use.

FOR PEACH FILLING:

  1. Combine 2 tablespoons of peach juice with brown sugar in a large sauté pan over medium heat for 3 minutes, or until sugar dissolves.
  2. Add frozen peaches and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, until peaches are soft.
  3. Mix cornstarch with remaining peach juice. Pour into warm peaches and stir until juice is thick. Set aside.

FOR PEACH COBBLER:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 8 (8-ounce) ramekins on a baking sheet.
  2. Fill each ramekin with 1/4 cup of peach filling.
  3. Slice cobbler dough into 8 slices and place on top of peaches. Top each slice of dough with 1/4 cup of oat crumble.
  4. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.