Tennessee Peach Pudding Recipe

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Tennessee Peach Pudding Recipe – A Southern Classic Comfort Dessert

When it comes to Southern desserts that warm the soul and please every palate, Tennessee Peach Pudding stands tall as a timeless favorite. This old-fashioned dessert combines juicy, sun-ripened peaches with a soft, cake-like batter and a rich, buttery sauce that forms as it bakes. It’s a rustic, comforting sweet treat that’s perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, holidays, or any time you crave a classic Southern comfort dessert.

Let’s dive into this rich, nostalgic dish and uncover why this Tennessee specialty deserves a spot in your dessert rotation.

What Is Tennessee Peach Pudding?

Tennessee Peach Pudding isn’t your typical fruit cobbler. Unlike most peach desserts, this pudding is baked with a pour-over syrup that creates its own sauce while baking. As the cake rises, the peaches stay nestled underneath, and the syrup settles into a gooey, caramel-like sauce at the bottom. Every bite is warm, buttery, sweet, and bursting with peach flavor.

Ingredients – Southern Simplicity at Its Best

🍑 For the Peach Filling:

  • 4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (about 4–5 medium peaches)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

🍰 For the Batter:

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

🍯 For the Sauce Topping (Pudding Layer):

  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced

Pro Tip: If fresh peaches aren’t available, you can use frozen peaches (thawed and drained) or even canned peaches (drained). Fresh is best, but this dessert is forgiving.

🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions – How to Make Tennessee Peach Pudding

✅ Step 1: Prep Your Peaches

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced peaches, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of flour. Toss to coat the peaches evenly.
  • Pour the peach mixture into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish or similarly sized casserole dish.

✅ Step 2: Make the Batter

  • In another bowl, whisk together:
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup milk
    • 2 tablespoons melted butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Stir until you get a smooth, pourable batter.
  • Pour the batter evenly over the peach mixture, gently spreading to cover the surface. Don’t worry if it doesn’t fully cover the fruit—it will rise and spread as it bakes.

✅ Step 3: Add the Magic Sauce

  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine:
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • Stir until the sugar dissolves, then pour this hot mixture gently over the batter.
  • Dot the top with 2 tablespoons sliced butter.

🔥 Don’t stir! This liquid will seep through the batter and peaches during baking, forming a rich pudding layer at the bottom.

✅ Step 4: Bake to Golden, Bubbling Perfection

  • Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until:
    • The top is golden brown
    • The fruit is bubbling around the edges
    • A toothpick inserted into the cake comes out mostly clean
  • Let the pudding rest for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

🍨 Serving Suggestions

Tennessee Peach Pudding is best served warm, and even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. The contrast between the warm pudding and the cold cream is truly irresistible.

Other topping ideas:

  • Cinnamon-spiced whipped cream
  • A drizzle of caramel sauce
  • Chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
  • A dusting of powdered sugar

❤️ Why We Love This Southern Peach Dessert

  • ✅ No fancy equipment required
  • ✅ Made with pantry staples
  • ✅ Perfect for using up ripe peaches
  • ✅ One pan, minimal cleanup
  • ✅ Sweet, gooey, and comforting

This is the kind of dessert that feels like a hug in a bowl. It brings back memories of family dinners, summer cookouts, and grandma’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon.

🥄 Storage & Reheating Tips

🧊 To Store:

  • Cover leftovers with foil or transfer to an airtight container.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

🔥 To Reheat:

  • Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, or
  • Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10–15 minutes until warmed through.

Tip: Add a splash of water or milk before reheating to maintain moisture.

📝 Tennessee Peach Pudding – FAQs

Can I use canned peaches?

Yes! Just make sure to drain them well. Avoid using peaches in syrup, as it can make the dish too sweet.

Can I freeze peach pudding?

This dessert is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen at 350°F until heated through.

What’s the difference between cobbler and pudding?

Unlike cobbler, where the topping is usually biscuit-like or crumbly, pudding bakes with a pour-over sauce that turns into a luscious layer beneath the cake.

🍑 Final Thoughts

There’s a reason Tennessee Peach Pudding has stood the test of time in Southern kitchens. It’s humble, heartwarming, and absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re making it for a crowd or savoring it on a quiet evening, this dessert brings the perfect mix of sweet fruit, soft cake, and buttery syrup to your table.

If you’ve never had it before, now’s the time to experience this Southern gem—and once you do, it’ll be part of your dessert rotation forever.

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