I still remember the first time I had peach cobbler. It was two months after I moved to the States. I was living in a small inn with two other girls in a tiny room, where I worked as a housekeeper. I had come to the US with the dreams that I built watching Hollywood movies throughout my teenage years.

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But the truth was that it was nothing like I expected. For one thing, I had a very strong accent and my English was not very good. People were having a hard time understanding me. And visa versa. They were speaking too fast for me to even know what they were talking about.
A simple thing like getting a bagel for breakfast was a challenge. But above all, the hardest thing was that I didn’t have a space to myself that I could get some rest after cleaning 15 rooms a day.
One day I was at the bank, trying to open a bank account so that I could save some money to rent a place of my own. However, there was a little problem. I had no credit history. Sadly, the only way to get a place was to find someone to co-sign a lease for me. Of course, I did not know anyone other than the girls I was sharing the room with, who had just moved to the States with similar dreams as well.
As the gentleman at the bank was telling me the ways to build a credit history, an elderly lady approached me and told me that she had overheard my story and thought that I was such a sweet girl and if I wanted she would let me rent a room in her home. The rent was affordable and her house was within walking distance from the inn. After seeing the place and making sure that she was not a crazy person, I rented the room.
With mixed feelings and not knowing what to expect, I dragged my two suitcases from the inn to her house. Surprisingly, she welcomed me with open arms and a freshly baked peach cobbler as a welcome treat. After months of feeling out of place, it was the first time I felt like I was welcomed. We spent the next three months sharing our stories and getting to know each other.
Originally from North Carolina, she moved to New Jersey after she got married 45 years ago. Her husband passed away a year earlier and her children were living out of state. She was feeling alone and thought that it would be nice to help someone and share her loneliness with. Needless to say, we became very close. I was really lucky to have found her. It was she, who introduced me to some of the classic American desserts.
She loved baking and would occasionally treat me with tasty sweets like apple pie, banana pudding, custard pudding, and peach cobbler. To this day I think her peach cobbler was the best one I have ever had. The warm, crusty, and sweet biscuits baked on top of macerated peaches and served with vanilla ice cream was so new and delicious to me. Since then, it has been one of my all time American favorites.
Unfortunately, I lost contact with her after I moved down to Atlanta for a better job opportunity. But even after 15 years of living in the US, I have never forgotten her generosity and kindness towards me when I needed it the most. This peach cobbler recipe is a little different than hers, but the smell that filled my kitchen as it baked brought back so many sweet memories. I hope she is doing well wherever she is.
About the recipe:
If you are a regular reader you would know, I am all about the crust when it comes to desserts. And this cobbler is no different. The dough for the biscuits is mixed with corn meal and thyme giving it a little unusual kick. If you are making this for breakfast, I recommend mixing together the dry ingredients the night before so that all you have to do in the morning is to stir in the wet ingredients and prep the peaches. I served it with ricotta cheese on the side, but mascarpone, crème fraiche or a scoop of ice cream would also be nice to serve it with.
Finally, I used two small cast iron skillets, but one large (10-inch) cast-iron skillet or a baking pan would also work. I would recommend keeping a close eye on it after the 30 minute mark as the biscuits turn golden brown quickly. If you are not a fan of thyme, feel free to omit it. Though I have to say the combination of thyme and baked peaches is simply delicious.
Peach Cobbler with Cornmeal Thyme Biscuits
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 5 medium-sized, 2 pounds peaches, pitted and halved (no need to peel)
- ¼ cup (45 grams) natural cane sugar ( I used Trader Joe’s cane sugar)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
For the Cornmeal Thyme Biscuits:
- ¾ cup (90 grams) all purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 grams) whole wheat flour
- ½ cup (60 grams) fine-ground yellow cornmeal
- 3 tablespoons natural can sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 5 tablespoons (70 gr.) cold unsalted butter, cut into smaller pieces – plus more for greasing the pan
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ricotta cheese, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 375 F Degrees. Butter two 6-inch cast iron skillets or one 10-inch cast-iron skillet and set aside.
- Slice each peach half into 5 slices. Place them in a bowl. Add in the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Give it a gentle stir. Let it sit on the counter until sugar dissolves and peaches release their juices, 10 minutes or so. To make the filling, stir in the flour and salt. Set it aside.
- To make the biscuits: Sift all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, corn meal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add in the butter. Using a fork (or your fingertips), incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a coarse meal. It is okay if there are some pea-sized bits. Add in the yogurt and buttermilk and stir until it all comes together.
- To assemble: If using two cast iron skillets, divide the peaches in between two pans. Drop small mounds of the dough onto the fruit, each biscuit being around 4 tablespoons. This dough yields 6 to 7 biscuits so 1 biscuit might be slightly larger than the other ones.
- Bake until the biscuits are golden brown on top and the juices of the peach slices are bubbling, 30-35 minutes.
- Let it cool 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve with dollops of ricotta cheese on the side.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks: Whole-Grain Mornings: New Breakfast Recipes to Span the Seasons.
Oh Aysegul, I loved reading this post. I got a little teary reading about your story and how the kindness of the elderly woman has touched your life. What fond memories associated with peach cobbler! Your version has such flair with the thyme and cornmeal biscuits and I love the hint of savory with the sweet.
You are the sweetest Emily. Thank you. <3
Oh my gosh – what a sweet sweet story! Generosity comes when you least expect it and I love that the taste of cobbler reminds you of her kindness. I’m not kidding – I almost put thyme in my peach cobbler last week!! I had it chopped up and ready to go and at the last minute, decided I wasn’t sure if it’d go with the chestnut biscuits. We are so on the same wavelength! I want a taste of your cobbler – I know I’d fall in love!!
I know right.. It feels like we are in a cosmic frequency. :))
I was lucky to have met such a sweet person. Thank you so much for your kind words Sarah. Your work and writing has always been an inspiration to me.
PS: Love your instagram stories with #minimenanix! Big hugs and kisses to her.
This is such a beautiful post and story – made me cry! Love it.
Aww thank you my friend. <3
Oh my goodness -what a wonderful and heartwarming start you had in the States! Although it was no doubt tough for you in the beginning, the generosity and memory of this remarkable woman must make it so wonderful to think back on those years!I am really looking forward to trying out this recipe, and have never tried peaches paired with thyme in any dish. It sounds so good! Thanks for sharing.
Such a lovely story, Aysegul! I am a great believer in fate, how lovely that you could both help each other. I have just made a peach cobbler for a client and found that there are so many variations when it comes to the topping. Yours looks absolutely beautiful, I love the addition of thyme, I often use it in sweet baking. Just stunning dear! <3 xx
I was so lucky to have found her. Since then I believe in the kindness of strangers and I make it a priority to pay it forward as much as I can.
Thyme and I have a love and hate relationship. I can only have so much of it, but in this recipe it shines. I think it is mostly because I love how it tastes when paired with peaches.
Thank you SO SO much for coming by and your encouraging words Louise. <3
What a sweet story! I love that she knew you were a nice person! It’s so great how things work out when you follow your heart! I was kindaaa cracking up about what Hollywood movies portray. Don’t get me wrong, I am not laughing at you. My friends and I alway talk about how people move to L.A. thinking it’s going to be magical and all thier dreams will come true only to find out it’s ridiculously expensive. But that’s California. Anyways, this cobbler mouthwatering! I also love the addition of the thyme! Very nice! xO
Awwww thank you my friend. I was one of those people, who thought that everything would be so different here. Hollywood definitely makes it look that way from the outside. I, too, am so happy that I found her.
<3
There’s nothing like feeling of being welcomed when we feel so out of our element. What a sweet soul she is and what a beautiful memory. I absolutely love the fresh notes thyme give peaches and love how you’ve paired it with a cornmeal crust! Absolutely sublime! Talk about a Southern recipe. I love this Aysegul and your presentation is just gorgeous. I’d love to dig in!
Thank you so much for your kind words my friend. It means so much coming from you.
I got very lucky with meeting such a sweet person. I wish I knew how and where she is now. <3
Thanks again! XOXO
What a beautiful story. Being able to have space to yourself often gets taken for granted, I think. I lived in a similar situation when I first moved NYC. The introvert that I am was dying for some privacy and quiet. ๐ This is one gorgeous cobbler and the addition of thyme is wonderful!
So true. I have had my share of roommates and I am glad that it is over. Nothing is better than having your own space, even if it is tiny. ๐
Thank you Tessa. I am glad you liked it. <3
What a sweet lady! It’s kind people like that that renew my faith in humanity. How wonderful that your paths crossed. Your peach cobbler looks mouthwatering. I’m such a crust girl too, so this looks amazing! Love the twist with the thyme too!
Oh dear Beeta.. Thank you for your kind words. I regret that I didn’t keep in touch with her, but pray that she is happy and still alive.
<3