This isn’t just dessert—it’s sunshine in a dish. Juicy, honey-sweet peaches sink into a tender, golden cake, all crowned with a buttery, caramel-kissed syrup that bubbles and thickens as it bakes, pooling luxuriously beneath each forkful. Inspired by Appalachian farmhouse kitchens and perfected over generations, this “pudding” (a Southern term for a cobbler-adjacent, spoonable wonder) celebrates peak-season fruit with humble ingredients and zero pretense. Best served warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the syrup—a dish that tastes like porch swings, fireflies, and the deep, quiet joy of summer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’s the ultimate seasonal showstopper: no fancy tools, no pastry skills, just fresh (or frozen) peaches transformed into something deeply comforting. The magic? The syrup is poured over the unbaked batter—steaming the cake from above while the peaches soften below—creating a texture that’s crisp-topped, moist-crumbed, and drenched in spiced peach nectar.

Perfect for:

Summer gatherings, Fourth of July feasts, church suppers, or any time you want to taste the soul of the South.

HomeTennessee Peach Pudding

Tennessee Peach Pudding

Ingredients

Serves 6–8

Peach Batter

1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp fine sea salt

½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional but recommended—adds warmth)

½ cup (120 ml) whole milk, room temperature

3 cups (450 g) fresh or frozen peaches, peeled, sliced ½-inch thick

(If frozen, thaw and drain well—no ice crystals!)

Buttery Peach Syrup

1½ cups (360 ml) water

½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar

½ cup (110 g) packed dark brown sugar (light works, but dark adds molasses depth)

1 Tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter

¼ tsp ground nutmeg (freshly grated—brightens the spice)

To Serve

Vanilla bean ice cream

Fresh peach slices

Light dusting of cinnamon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep & Preheat

Position oven rack in center. Preheat to 400°F (200°C).

Generously grease an 8×8-inch metal baking dish (glass runs cooler—adjust time if using).

2. Make the Batter

In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Stir in milk until just combined (lumps are fine—don’t overmix).

Gently fold in peaches—just until distributed.

3. Pour & Layer

Scrape batter into prepared dish. Do not smooth—peaches should peek through.

4. Make the Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine water, sugars, butter, and nutmeg.

Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high; stir 1–2 minutes—until sugars dissolve and mixture is glossy. Do not simmer—boil only.

5. Pour & Bake

Carefully pour hot syrup evenly over batter—do not stir.

Bake 40–50 minutes—until top is deeply golden, edges bubble, and a toothpick inserted in cakey areas (avoiding peaches) comes out clean.

Rotate dish halfway.

6. Rest & Serve

Rest 15–20 minutes (syrup thickens, cake sets).

Serve warm in shallow bowls—spooning extra syrup over each portion.

Top with ice cream and a dusting of cinnamon.

Tips for Perfect Gravy

 Drain peaches well—excess juice = soggy cake.

 Use dark brown sugar—its molasses notes deepen the syrup.

 Don’t stir after pouring syrup—lets layers form: crisp top, tender cake, juicy peaches, buttery pool.

(Note: This syrup is the gravy—but for extra richness, stir 1 Tbsp bourbon into syrup after boiling.)

Serving Suggestions

With whipped cream and crushed pecans

As a brunch sweet with strong coffee

Paired with sweet tea or a sparkling rosé

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Keep covered at room temp 2 days, or refrigerated 4 days.

Reheat gently in 350°F oven 10–15 minutes—never microwave (sogginess!).

Do not freeze—texture suffers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned peaches?

Yes—drain very well and reduce syrup water to 1¼ cups.

No fresh peaches?

Frozen (thawed) are ideal; avoid canned in heavy syrup (too sweet).

Make it gluten-free?

Use 125 g GF 1:1 flour (like King Arthur) + ¼ tsp xanthan gum.

Allergy Information

Contains: Dairy, wheat.

Nut-free, soy-free, fish/shellfish-free.

Gluten-free option: See above.

Nutrition Facts

(Per serving, 1 of 8, with ice cream)

Calories: 380 | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g (sat 6g) | Carbs: 70g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 52g | Sodium: 220mg

There’s quiet magic in simplicity—especially when it tastes like this. As you lift your spoon and break through the crisp, spiced top into the cloud-soft cake, the syrup pooling around the peaches like liquid gold, you’ll taste more than dessert.

You’ll taste memory: of orchards heavy with fruit, of grandmothers stirring syrup on cast-iron stoves, of summers that stretch long and sweet.

So bake it generously. Serve it warmly. And savor the kind of joy that doesn’t need grandeur—

just peaches, sugar, and a whole lot of Southern sou