Follow these simple instructions to create a delicious Peach and Berry Cobbler that will impress everyone:

1. Prepare the Peaches:

• Wash and Peel (Optional): Wash the peaches thoroughly. Peeling peaches is optional; some prefer the texture of the skin in cobblers, while others prefer a smoother filling. To peel peaches easily, you can blanch them briefly in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then immediately plunge them into ice water. The skins should then slip off easily.
• Slice the Peaches: Cut the peaches in half, remove the pits, and slice them into ½-inch thick slices. You should have about 6 cups of sliced peaches.

2. Prepare the Berry Mixture:

• Wash and Prepare Berries: Gently wash your mixed berries. If using larger strawberries, hull and halve or quarter them. For raspberries and blackberries, check for any stems and remove them. Blueberries are usually ready to go as is.

3. Combine the Fruit Filling Ingredients:

• In a Large Bowl: In a large bowl, gently combine the sliced peaches, mixed berries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
• Toss Gently: Toss all ingredients together gently until the fruit is evenly coated with the sugar and spices. Be careful not to mash the berries.

4. Prepare the Cobbler Topping:

• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Cut in the Cold Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Working quickly and keeping the butter cold is key for a tender topping.
• Add Milk: Pour in the cold milk and stir gently with a fork or spoon just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix. The dough should be slightly shaggy and a little sticky.

5. Assemble the Cobbler:

• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Pour Filling into Baking Dish: Pour the prepared fruit filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish or a similar sized oven-safe dish (a deep dish pie plate or 9-inch square baking dish will also work). Spread the fruit evenly in the dish.
• Drop Topping over Fruit: Drop spoonfuls of the cobbler topping evenly over the fruit filling. You don’t need to spread it out perfectly; the topping will spread as it bakes. Leave some gaps for the fruit filling to bubble up around the topping.
• Sprinkle with Sugar (Optional): If desired, sprinkle the top of the cobbler with turbinado sugar or coarse sugar for extra crunch and sweetness.

6. Bake the Cobbler:

• Bake in Preheat Oven: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbly and tender. The juices should be thick and syrupy. If the topping is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the cobbler with foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
• Cool Slightly: Remove the cobbler from the oven and let it cool slightly for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and prevents burning your mouth.

7. Serve and Enjoy:

• Serve warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.