Peace Cobbler for Martin Luther King Day

About author / Christine Gable

Culinary enthusiast; kids cuisine and slow cooking; magazine recipe developer; professional writer. Her simple recipes are great for family dinners.

Civil rights. It’s something so many of us take for granted each and every day. Today, January 15, is the only federal holiday in the United States that commemorates an African American.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Jan. 15, 1929 to April 4, 1968), is the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting nonviolence and racial equality. Just as his life was dedicated to the cause, this day is filled with demonstrations for peace and social justice, racial and class equality, in addition to volunteer community service.

Even though this day has been officially observed on the third Monday of January each year since the bill was first signed in 1986, this day was only recently officially observed by all 50 states on January 17, 2000.

It was only several weeks ago that I found a delightful cookbook that also honors the memory of King with recipes that give a taste of the historic past of the Underground Railroad. And, as you probably know, at our house, history is so much more interesting when you can eat it! Having a taste of history helps brings it to life.

I recently contacted Phoebe Bailey, the author of The African American Cookbook, and asked if she would share a recipe from her book, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The Peace Cobbler, page 168,” she said with no delay. Phoebe went on to explain how she makes a crumb topping and likes to save some extra peaches to make a topping for the cobbler. “Add some sugar and vanilla to the sliced peaches and reduce at a simmer for about 10 minutes. Pour over the cobbler for an extra special way to enjoy this divine dessert.”

Hmmm. Peace Cobbler. Or did she say peach? The recipe on page 168 is listed as Peach Cobbler, so I don’t know if it was my ears or my imagination, but I thought I heard Peace Cobbler. Peach . . . peace . . . it’s what the world needs. Thanks, Phoebe, for sharing the inspiration.

Try baking up some peace in your part of the world today.


Note: In honor of Martin Luther King Day, the Bethel AME Church, 450 East Strawberry Street, Lancaster, PA, plans a 105-minute show and exhibit, presented by Bethel Harambee Historical Services: "Living The Experience" and "Stony the Road We Trod" Exhibit. The cost with meal is $34.00 w/o meal is $23.00. Children are: $17.00 and $10.00 the latter is without the meal. If your kids are anything like mine, shows truly bring history alive. Check it out if you’re in the area.

Serves/Makes: 12

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup (scant) flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 cans (15 ounce size) sliced peaches, drained

***Optional Crumb Topping***

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour