Are you planning to celebrate the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama? How about serving one of his favorite desserts, peach cobbler.

I did a little research on what foods Barack Obama likes. In one interview which is slated to air on “Check Please,” there is a U Tube segment where he talks about the peach cobbler at the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop, a restaurant in his neighborhood where he and his family are regulars. In a web article called “Small Bites,” on Wtop.com 103.5 FM, J.M. Hirsch discusses that interview with Obama, and the peach cobbler; he even posts a recipe that says it’s “adapted from the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop in Chicago.” The word “adapted” tells me it’s not the exact one, so I “adapted” my own recipe, which is a slightly more manageable size (Hirsch’s recipe calls for seven bags of frozen peaches). The following recipe has the same ingredients for the filling, and, like Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop, a pastry crust. The Dixie Kitchen serves theirs with sweetened whipped cream; good quality vanilla ice cream is also good. Frozen whipped topping is absolutely not acceptable and would ruin this presidential dessert.

Just a note: I have added a cinnamon sugar topping to the crust; pictures I’ve seen of the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop cobbler look like they have this, but it isn’t called for in any recipes purporting to be theirs. You may leave it off if you like. My southern-born husband who is a cobbler aficionado insists that it is a necessity.

Inauguration Day Peach Cobbler

12 Servings

4 16 oz. packages frozen peaches
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup flour
3 tablespoons butter

1/2 recipe Basic Pie Crust

Topping (optional):
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Place the peaches in a strainer over a bowl; let them thaw, reserving the juice.


2. Transfer the peaches to a 2-3 quart baking dish such as a 9 x 13" shallow glass dish or a 7 x 9" deeper glass dish.


3. Whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and flour until smooth.


4. Add 2 cups of the reserved peach juice.


5. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes; whisk until smooth, and microwave an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until boiling and slightly thickened.


6. Whisk in the butter and pour over the peaches.


7. Preheat the oven to 375°.


8. Roll out the pie dough to a 10" x 10" rectangle; the dough will be quite thick.


9. Using a ruler, cut 1" strips from the dough.


10. Lay strips horizontally over the peaches, then weave pieces of dough vertically, making a lattice. Trim the edges.







11. Brush the top with the milk, mix the 2 tablespoons sugar with the 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and sprinkle over the top.


12. Bake the cobbler in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden.


13. Serve immediately with sweetened whipped cream or ice cream.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 499 Calories from Fat 106
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 21% Protein 2% Carb. 77%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 12 g
Saturated Fat 6 g
Cholesterol 23 mg
Sodium 225 mg
Total Carbohydrate 96 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 19 g
Protein 3 g

Vitamin A 7% Vitamin C 225% Calcium 0% Iron 10%