Warm Georgia peach cobbler with a golden, buttery crust celebrates sweet Southern peaches at their finest. This beloved family dessert is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the butter in a 9x13-inch baking dish and allow it to melt in the preheating oven for 3–5 minutes, then remove carefully.
In a large saucepan, combine the peaches with half the sugar (1/2 cup), lemon juice, and ground cinnamon. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the peaches soften and release juices, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk until just combined to form a batter—do not overmix for a tender crumb.
Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter in the warm baking dish. Do not stir. Spoon the peach mixture (with juices) evenly over the batter; again, do not mix.
Bake for 40–45 minutes until the crust rises, turns golden, and the juices are bubbling along the edges. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm.