Curious about whether you should refrigerate peach cobbler? Get all the answers and storage tips in this article.
My most precious memories are those of summer suppers in my past. Windows open, fireflies twinkling, with my family gathered around the table. Everyone would be anticipating a sweet confection to wrap up the meal.
The showstoppers were always the seasonal desserts! Peach cobbler topped the list of family favorites. And why not? Whether eaten plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s heavenly!
Peach cobbler is delicious, wholesome, and so easy to make. What’s not to love? Sweet, juicy peaches topped with a sugary biscuit layer is the essence of the summer season.
Warm and satisfying, peach cobbler is comfort food at its best. It calls forth the taste of sunshine even in the dead of winter.
But what about leftovers? Do you need to refrigerate leftover peach cobbler? While you may do so if you choose, in most cases, it’s not necessary.
The Reasons Why
Peach cobbler has several advantages in its composition which will delay spoilage.
- No eggs, and limited dairy. The ingredients of milk and butter become stabilized during the baking process.
- High sugar content. The amount of sugar in peach cobbler leaches out excess water making the dessert less prone to mold.
- Peaches are acidic – peaches have a pH level ranging from 3.3 to 4.05, which categorizes them as acidic. Acidic foods aren’t as quick to spoil as alkaline foods.
The USDA’s guideline on storing fruit pies, which includes desserts like peach cobbler:“Fruit pies can be stored at room temperature one to two days…”
Exceptions To The Rule
Does your recipe use eggs or cream cheese? If so, refrigerate your peach cobbler leftovers within two hours of baking.
If not, you can let your peach cobbler stay at room temperature for up to two days as long as it is well-wrapped.
How To Store Peach Cobbler at Room Temperature
Allow the dessert to cool completely before wrapping.
Use the following tips.
- If your house is warmer than 72 degrees F, you should opt for refrigerating your peach cobbler.
- Store the pan away from full sunlight.
- Place scrunched up plastic wrap against the cut surfaces, underneath the over-wrap. Air is the enemy. The less surfaces that become exposed to air, the longer it will last without spoiling.
- Wait until the peach cobbler is cool before wrapping it, to avoid trapping heat. Trapped heat creates steam, which will make the topping soggy and more prone to mold.
Peach cobbler Leftovers In The Refrigerator
After two days, if you still have leftover peach cobbler, you can choose to refrigerate it. When chilled, your peach cobbler will last another three to five days.
It’s best to check the condition of the leftover dessert at this point, before proceeding. Unwrap the peach cobbler and inspect it, with these questions in mind.
- Is liquid beginning to pool beneath the fruit?
- Are there any discolorations on the fruit (blackening)?
- Does the desert have an unsavory odor?
- Is there any sign of mold on the biscuit topping?
If any of these conditions exist, it’s best to discard the peach cobbler.
How To Store Peach Cobbler In The Refrigerator
Unfortunately, once it’s stored in the refrigerator, your peach cobbler will begin to go downhill. Chilling and reheating can make the biscuit soggy where the topping meets the fruit. To maximize your chances of success, try the following tips.
- Cut it up: Try cutting the peach cobbler into serving-sized portions as soon as it is cool enough. Twenty minutes after you take it out of the oven should be fine. Separate the pieces to allow steam to escape. The steam is the culprit. Steam makes the biscuit part soggy. By separating the dessert into portions, you’re allowing more areas for steam to escape.
- Use the correct pan: Never use a metallic pan to bake your peach cobbler, unless you plan to transfer it to another container. This is because peaches are acidic. The metal may react with the fruit, rendering the bottom of the fruit black. Glass or ceramic is your best bet. If all you have is a metal pie pan to bake with, transfer the baked cobbler to a plate or other surface before storing it.
- Keep it covered: It’s important to keep your peach cobbler wrapped when stored in the fridge. Unwrapped, the dessert will dry out and it might pick up odors. You can use either plastic wrap or tin foil – as long as the foil isn’t touching the fruit itself. (see above tip) Or you can transfer it to a container equipped with a lid.
Reheating Tip: If you microwave leftover peach cobbler, you’re inviting sogginess. Try reheating the dessert in an oven at 350 degrees F, instead. The baking time could be as little as seven minutes, or up to twenty minutes for a full pan.
How Long Can I Store Leftover Peach Cobbler In The Fridge?
According to the USDA, peach cobbler only lasts five to seven days. So, if you’ve had it on the counter for two days before refrigerating, toss it (or eat it!) after three to five days in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Leftover Peach Cobbler?
Yes! And what better way to incorporate a taste of summer once the chill of winter is upon us? Peach cobbler will never taste as good as when it first came out of the oven, but freezing it will extend its shelf life.
You should always freeze peach cobbler leftovers in small serving sizes. The last thing you want is “leftover leftovers”! The more times you refrigerate and reheat peach cobbler, the more the texture will suffer. Also, do not let frozen and thawed peach cobbler sit at room temperature at all – store it in the refrigerator.
How Do I Freeze Leftover Peach Cobbler?
The most important rule in freezing peach cobbler is to try to avoid having excess air in the container. Air trapped around your peach cobbler will lead to frost, due to the moisture of the peaches.
Here’s a few tips for the best practices when freezing leftover peach cobbler.
- Make sure it is completely cool.
- Separate into serving sizes.
- Seal tight – use Tupperware or ziplock bags.
- Try to reduce trapped air.
- For Tupperware containers, spray a length of plastic wrap with non-stick cooking spray. Scrunch it up. Stuff it into the container around the edges of the cobbler. The spray will stop the plastic wrap from sticking to the dessert, while minimizing the air space.
- For ziplock bag storage, place the serving of cobbler inside the bag. Squeeze out excess air as best as you can, before zipping most of the way shut. Take a drinking straw and insert the tip into the small opening you’ve left. Inhale to remove the rest of the air and zip it as soon as you see the bag compress flat.
How Long Can I Freeze Leftover Peach Cobbler?
You can freeze peach cobbler for up to three months without affecting the flavor. After three months, you should throw it away. While the cobbler won’t make you sick, you’ll likely notice the flavor has become stale.
How Do I Thaw out Frozen Peach Cobbler Leftovers?
To thaw, place the container or baggie in the refrigerator. It will take eight to twelve hours, depending how big the serving size is. Once it’s thawed, remove it from the container and reheat in the oven as described above.
Conclusion
Peach cobbler is a lovely dessert that is best eaten right after baking, but don’t despair if you have leftovers. You can leave peach cobbler leftovers out at room temperature for up to two days. Extend the life of your dessert even further by refrigerating or freezing it. Follow the above tips. You will preserve the delicious flavor of your leftover peach cobbler.
Always watch for signs of spoilage and throw away leftover peach cobbler if it begins to look or smell bad. After all, peach cobbler is such an easy dessert to make! Why not make another one right now? Your family will be in for a treat!
F.A.Q
Do you have an experience you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your opinions and experiences on storing peach cobbler leftovers!
Please feel free to leave a comment or question below.
Happy baking!
