I recently made a Krispy Kreme peach cobbler, and it turned out to be one of the most comforting desserts I’ve had in a while. The soft, sweet donuts soak up the peach juices and bake into this rich, caramelized layer that’s hard to resist.
I love how the peaches stay juicy and bright while the Krispy Kremes add just the right amount of sweetness and texture.
For me, it’s the perfect twist on a classic cobbler—familiar but with a little extra indulgence. It’s the kind of dessert I’d happily serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love warm cobbler with a soft, gooey center and crispy edges, this is your dream dessert. The Krispy Kreme doughnuts soak up the peach syrup and caramelize beautifully while baking — giving you sweet, sticky pockets of flavor in every bite.
Plus, it’s super easy to throw together, especially if you use canned peaches. No dough to roll, no crust to chill.
It’s simple enough for a weeknight dessert but decadent enough for holidays, potlucks, or Sunday dinner.
What You’ll Need
For the Filling:
- 2 (15 oz) cans sliced peaches in syrup, undrained
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For the Doughnut Layer:
- 6 Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts, torn or chopped into pieces
- ¼ cup melted butter
- Optional: 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar (for topping)
Optional Topping:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel drizzle
Pro Tips
- Use day-old doughnuts for best texture — they soak up the syrup without falling apart.
- Don’t drain the peaches — the syrup creates that signature gooey base.
- Tear doughnuts into uneven chunks for caramelized edges and varied texture.
- Use a cast iron skillet or glass baking dish to hold heat evenly and caramelize beautifully.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes after baking — this helps the cobbler set up and makes it easier to serve.
Tools You’ll Need
- Cast iron skillet or 8×8 baking dish
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board (for doughnuts)
- Ice cream scoop (optional but fun!)
Substitutions and Variations
- Fresh peaches: Use 4 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches + ½ cup sugar.
- Different doughnuts: Try apple fritters or cinnamon rolls for variation.
- Add nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans on top before baking for crunch.
- Make it boozy: Add a splash of bourbon to the peach filling for a grown-up twist.
- Dairy-free: Use plant-based butter and skip the ice cream topping.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prep the peach filling and chop the doughnuts up to 1 day ahead. Keep everything stored separately in the fridge, and assemble just before baking.
You can also bake the cobbler and reheat it later — just warm in a 300°F oven for about 10–15 minutes before serving.
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a cast iron skillet or 8×8 baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Make the Peach Filling
In a medium bowl, combine peaches with syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine.
3. Layer the Doughnuts
Place chopped or torn Krispy Kreme doughnuts evenly in the bottom of your skillet or dish. Pour melted butter over them, then pour the peach mixture on top. Don’t worry if the doughnuts float — they’ll settle during baking.
4. Bake the Cobbler
Bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden, the filling is bubbling, and the doughnuts are caramelized around the edges. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar in the last 5 minutes if using.
5. Cool and Serve
Let the cobbler cool for about 10 minutes. Scoop into bowls and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Leftovers and Storage
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave, or warm the whole dish in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes. For best texture, reheat uncovered to keep the top from getting soggy.
Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I use fresh or frozen peaches instead of canned?
Yes! Use about 4 cups of sliced peaches. If using fresh, add ½ cup sugar. If using frozen, thaw first and drain excess liquid.
Q: What if I don’t have Krispy Kreme?
Any glazed yeast doughnut will work. Avoid cake doughnuts — they can get dry and dense.
Q: Can I make this less sweet?
Skip the added brown sugar and go lighter on the butter topping for a less indulgent version.
Q: How do I keep the doughnuts from getting too mushy?
Day-old doughnuts work best. Also, don’t overbake — just enough to caramelize the top without drying out the filling.
Southern Comfort Meets Krispy Kreme Magic
This Krispy Kreme peach cobbler is the ultimate mashup of bakery indulgence and homestyle dessert. Gooey, golden, and packed with flavor, it’s one of those dishes that feels special but doesn’t take hours in the kitchen.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself on a cozy evening, it’s pure Southern sweetness in every bite.