Baked Peaches and Cream: A Delightful Summer Dessert
Summer’s bounty is a true gift, and peaches are undoubtedly one of its sweetest treasures. Their juicy, fragrant flesh is a pure delight, and there’s no better way to celebrate this seasonal fruit than with a classic dessert: Baked Peaches and Cream. This recipe elevates the simple pleasure of fresh peaches by baking them until tender and topping them with a luscious, creamy sauce. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to impress.
## Why This Recipe Works
Baked Peaches and Cream is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. Here’s why this recipe will become a summer staple:
* **Simple Elegance:** It requires minimal ingredients and effort, yet delivers a sophisticated and satisfying result.
* **Perfect Peach Enhancement:** Baking intensifies the peach’s natural sweetness and creates a wonderfully soft texture.
* **Customizable:** You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can prep the peaches ahead of time, making it a perfect dessert for entertaining.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy it warm or cold, for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients for this delectable treat:
* **Fresh Peaches:** The star of the show! Choose ripe but firm peaches that yield slightly to gentle pressure. Freestone peaches are easier to pit.
* **Butter:** Adds richness and helps the peaches caramelize during baking. Unsalted butter is preferred, allowing you to control the saltiness.
* **Brown Sugar:** Contributes a warm, molasses-like sweetness and a beautiful caramel color.
* **Cinnamon:** Enhances the peach’s natural flavor with a touch of warmth and spice. Ground cinnamon is ideal.
* **Vanilla Extract:** Adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
* **Heavy Cream:** Creates the luxurious, creamy sauce that complements the baked peaches perfectly. You can also use half-and-half for a lighter version, but the texture will be less rich.
* **Powdered Sugar:** Sweetens the cream to perfection. Powdered sugar dissolves easily, ensuring a smooth and creamy sauce.
* **Optional Toppings:** Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds), granola, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, a sprinkle of sea salt, or a dollop of whipped cream.
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create a delightful Baked Peaches and Cream dessert:
**Yields:** 6 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 25-30 minutes
**Ingredients:**
* 6 ripe but firm peaches, halved and pitted
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
* 3 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
* Optional toppings: Chopped nuts, granola, honey, whipped cream
**Equipment:**
* Baking dish (9×13 inch or similar)
* Small bowl
* Whisk
**Instructions:**
**1. Preheat the Oven:**
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature allows the peaches to bake evenly without burning.
**2. Prepare the Peaches:**
Wash the peaches thoroughly and pat them dry. Cut each peach in half and remove the pit. You can use a spoon or a paring knife to gently loosen the pit.
**3. Arrange Peaches in Baking Dish:**
Place the peach halves cut-side up in a baking dish. Make sure they are arranged in a single layer.
**4. Make the Butter-Sugar Mixture:**
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix well until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
**5. Top the Peaches:**
Spoon the butter-sugar mixture evenly over the peach halves, ensuring that each peach is well coated. This mixture will caramelize during baking, creating a delicious glaze.
**6. Bake the Peaches:**
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the peaches are tender and the topping is bubbly and golden brown. The exact baking time will depend on the ripeness of the peaches and your oven.
**7. Prepare the Cream Sauce:**
While the peaches are baking, prepare the cream sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and powdered sugar until smooth and slightly thickened. You can adjust the amount of powdered sugar to your desired sweetness.
**8. Serve:**
Once the peaches are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Spoon the cream sauce over the warm peaches. If desired, top with chopped nuts, granola, a drizzle of honey, or a dollop of whipped cream.
**9. Enjoy!**
Serve immediately and savor the delightful combination of warm, tender peaches and creamy, sweet sauce. Baked Peaches and Cream can also be enjoyed cold. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
## Tips for the Perfect Baked Peaches and Cream
* **Choose Ripe Peaches:** Ripe peaches are essential for the best flavor and texture. Look for peaches that are slightly soft to the touch and have a fragrant aroma.
* **Use Freestone Peaches:** Freestone peaches have pits that are easily removed, making them ideal for this recipe. Clingstone peaches are more difficult to pit.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaked peaches can become mushy. Bake them just until they are tender and the topping is bubbly.
* **Adjust Sweetness:** Adjust the amount of brown sugar and powdered sugar to your liking. Taste the cream sauce and add more powdered sugar if needed.
* **Get Creative with Toppings:** Experiment with different toppings to create your own unique version of Baked Peaches and Cream. Nuts, granola, honey, maple syrup, and whipped cream are all great options.
* **Add a Touch of Spice:** In addition to cinnamon, you can add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom to the butter-sugar mixture for extra flavor.
* **Use Different Extracts:** Try using almond extract or lemon extract instead of vanilla extract for a different flavor profile.
* **Make it Vegan:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter and the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream for a vegan version of this recipe.
## Variations and Adaptations
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
* **Grilled Peaches and Cream:** Grill the peach halves over medium heat until they are slightly softened and have grill marks. Then, top with the cream sauce and your favorite toppings.
* **Peach Crumble:** Top the baked peaches with a crumble topping made from flour, butter, sugar, and oats.
* **Peach Cobbler:** Use the baked peaches as the base for a peach cobbler. Top with a biscuit topping and bake until golden brown.
* **Peach Melba:** Combine the baked peaches with vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, and almonds for a classic Peach Melba dessert.
* **Peach and Berry Bake:** Add other berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, to the baking dish along with the peaches.
* **Bourbon Baked Peaches:** Add a tablespoon of bourbon to the butter-sugar mixture for a boozy twist.
## Serving Suggestions
Baked Peaches and Cream is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
* **Serve with Ice Cream:** A scoop of vanilla ice cream, almond ice cream, or even peach ice cream complements the warm peaches perfectly.
* **Serve with Yogurt:** For a lighter option, serve the peaches with Greek yogurt or plain yogurt.
* **Serve with Granola:** Sprinkle granola over the peaches for added texture and crunch.
* **Serve with Coffee or Tea:** Baked Peaches and Cream is a delightful accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea.
* **Serve as Part of a Brunch Spread:** Include Baked Peaches and Cream as part of a brunch buffet for a sweet and satisfying treat.
## Make-Ahead Tips
* **Prepare the Peaches in Advance:** You can halve and pit the peaches a day ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* **Make the Butter-Sugar Mixture Ahead of Time:** You can prepare the butter-sugar mixture a day ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before using.
* **Prepare the Cream Sauce in Advance:** You can whisk together the heavy cream and powdered sugar a few hours ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Whisk again before serving.
## Storage Instructions
* **Store Leftovers:** Store leftover Baked Peaches and Cream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the peaches in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The cream sauce may thin out slightly when reheated.
## Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving)
* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 50-60mg
* Sodium: 20-30mg
* Carbohydrates: 25-30g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 2-3g
*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
## Conclusion
Baked Peaches and Cream is a simple yet elegant dessert that perfectly captures the essence of summer. With its tender, caramelized peaches and luscious cream sauce, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert for a weeknight dinner or a show-stopping finale for a summer gathering, this recipe is sure to impress. So grab some ripe peaches and get baking! You won’t be disappointed.