Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures the cobbler bakes evenly, allowing the batter to rise properly while the peaches become tender and release their juices.
Prepare the Butter Base
Place the ½ cup of butter in your baking dish and put it in the preheating oven until completely melted. This creates a rich base that will help form a caramelized crust as the cobbler bakes.
Mix the Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of salt until well combined. Add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of milk to these dry ingredients, and stir until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.
Assemble the Cobbler
Carefully remove the hot baking dish with melted butter from the oven. Pour the batter directly over the melted butter without stirring. The batter will rise to the top during baking while the butter creates a delicious crust.
Add the Peaches
Distribute the 4 cups of sliced peaches evenly over the batter. As the cobbler bakes, the batter will rise around the peaches, creating the signature cobbler effect.
Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the batter is completely set. The edges should be crispy and caramelized, and a toothpick inserted into the batter portion should come out clean.