I added @Lifeway Kefir farmer cheese to peach cobbler and accidentally made the summer dessert of the year 🍑✨
Ingredients
Peach Layer
* 5–6 ripe but firm peaches
* 1–2 tbsp butter
* 2–3 tbsp brown sugar
* 1 tbsp lemon juice
* 1 tsp vanilla
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1 tbsp cornstarch, optional if peaches are very juicy
Farmer Cheese Layer
* 1 cup Lifeway Farmer Cheese
* 1 egg
* 2 tbsp coconut sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup
* 1 tsp vanilla
* 3 tbsp flour
* ½ tsp baking powder
* 2–3 tbsp milk or kefir, as needed
Crumble Topping
* ½ cup oats
* ¼ cup flour
* ¼ cup brown sugar
* 3 tbsp cold butter, cubed
* Pinch of cinnamon
* Pinch of salt
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add peaches for 30 seconds, then transfer them to a bowl of ice water. Peel off the skins and slice the peaches.
3. In a pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sliced peaches, brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and cinnamon. Cook for 4–6 minutes, until the peaches are glossy, slightly softened, and caramelized.
4. If the peaches release a lot of juice, stir in cornstarch and cook for another minute. Transfer the caramelized peaches into a baking dish.
5. In a bowl, mix Farmer Cheese, egg, coconut sugar, vanilla, flour, and baking powder. The mixture should be thick but spoonable. If it feels too dry, add a little milk or kefir.
6. Spoon the farmer cheese batter over the peaches. No need to spread it perfectly — leave it in little “clouds” on top.
7. In a separate bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cold butter. Use your hands to crumble everything together until it looks like coarse crumbs.
8. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the peaches and farmer cheese layer.
9. Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the peach layer is bubbling.
10. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and extra scoop of farmer cheese.
Using Lifeway Kefir Farmer Cheese in this peach cobbler not only adds a creamy, tangy twist but also boosts the dish’s nutritional value with probiotics. The kefir-based cheese brings a subtle depth of flavor that enhances the sweetness of the peaches while balancing the crumble’s buttery crunch. When preparing this cobbler, I found that using ripe but firm peaches was key to maintaining texture and avoiding a mushy outcome. In addition, the step of briefly boiling and peeling the peaches helps create a smooth fruit layer, which cooks down nicely during baking. The choice between coconut sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup for the farmer cheese layer allows customization of sweetness and adds an interesting flavor profile. I personally prefer the slight caramel notes of coconut sugar, which complements the cinnamon perfectly. For those new to baking with kefir-based cheese, this recipe is very forgiving. The farmer cheese mixture can be adjusted for consistency with a little extra milk or kefir, which I found helpful to keep it spoonable rather than too thick. Also, leaving the cheese layer in fluffy dollops rather than spreading it evenly adds a delightful texture contrast after baking. To elevate the dessert, I recommend serving it warm alongside vanilla ice cream, allowing the cold creaminess to mingle with the warm, bubbling peach and cheese layers. Extra scoops of Lifeway Farmer Cheese on the side add a rich, creamy bite, making each spoonful even more indulgent. This peach cobbler recipe is not only a delicious treat but a creative way to incorporate probiotic-rich kefir cheese into your dessert repertoire, offering both taste and health benefits during the summer months.
