Easy Peach Crisp: A Simple and Delicious Summer Dessert

Peach crisp is the quintessential summer dessert. It’s easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and showcases the sweet, juicy flavor of fresh peaches perfectly. This recipe provides a straightforward approach to making a truly exceptional peach crisp that’s sure to become a family favorite. Forget slaving away in the kitchen; this is all about enjoying the season’s bounty with minimal effort.

## Why This Peach Crisp Recipe Works

* **Simplicity:** This recipe focuses on the essential elements of a great peach crisp, eliminating unnecessary steps and ingredients. The result is a dessert that’s quick to prepare and consistently delicious.
* **Fresh Peach Flavor:** The recipe highlights the natural sweetness and tang of ripe peaches. A touch of lemon juice brightens the flavor and prevents the peaches from browning.
* **Perfect Crisp Topping:** The crumble topping is made with a simple combination of flour, oats, butter, and sugar, creating a golden-brown, crispy, and slightly chewy texture that complements the soft, juicy peaches.
* **Adaptable:** This recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences. You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, use different types of oats, or substitute other fruits like berries or apples.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Peach Filling:

* **Peaches:** 6-8 medium ripe peaches, peeled and sliced. (About 6 cups sliced).
* **Granulated Sugar:** ½ cup. This adds sweetness and helps draw out the juices from the peaches, creating a delicious sauce.
* **Lemon Juice:** 1 tablespoon. Brightens the flavor and prevents browning.
* **Cornstarch:** 2 tablespoons. This thickens the peach juices, preventing the crisp from becoming too watery.
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon. Enhances the overall flavor profile.
* **Ground Cinnamon:** ½ teaspoon (optional). Adds a warm spice note.

### For the Crisp Topping:

* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1 cup. Provides structure for the topping.
* **Rolled Oats:** ¾ cup. Adds texture and a nutty flavor. Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats.
* **Brown Sugar:** ½ cup, packed. Adds sweetness and a molasses-like flavor, contributing to a chewy texture.
* **Granulated Sugar:** ¼ cup. Contributes to the crispness of the topping.
* **Salt:** ¼ teaspoon. Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
* **Cold Unsalted Butter:** ½ cup (1 stick), cut into cubes. The cold butter creates pockets of air, resulting in a crumbly, crispy topping.

## Equipment Needed

* 9×13 inch Baking Dish
* Large Mixing Bowl
* Small Mixing Bowl
* Peeler
* Knife
* Measuring Cups and Spoons

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Prepare the Peaches

* **Peel the peaches:** The easiest way to peel peaches is to blanch them. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Score the bottom of each peach with an ‘X’. Drop the peaches into the boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath. The skins should slip off easily.
* **Slice the peaches:** Cut the peeled peaches in half, remove the pits, and slice them into ½-inch thick slices.

### 2. Make the Peach Filling

* **Combine ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using). Gently toss to coat the peaches evenly.
* **Transfer to baking dish:** Pour the peach mixture into the 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

### 3. Make the Crisp Topping

* **Combine dry ingredients:** In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt.
* **Cut in the butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is crucial for creating a crispy topping. If the butter gets too warm, the topping will be dense and greasy.

### 4. Assemble and Bake

* **Sprinkle topping:** Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the peach filling, covering the entire surface.
* **Bake:** Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can tent the baking dish with aluminum foil.
* **Cool:** Let the peach crisp cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to thicken slightly and prevents it from being too runny.

## Tips for the Best Peach Crisp

* **Use Ripe Peaches:** The key to a great peach crisp is using ripe, juicy peaches. They should be fragrant and slightly soft to the touch. If your peaches are not quite ripe, you can place them in a paper bag at room temperature for a day or two to ripen them.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Dish:** Use a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure that the peach filling is not too thick. Overcrowding the dish can prevent the peaches from cooking evenly and result in a soggy crisp.
* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly, crispy topping. If the butter gets too warm, the topping will be dense and greasy.
* **Adjust Sweetness to Taste:** If your peaches are particularly sweet, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar in the filling or topping. Conversely, if your peaches are tart, you may need to add more sugar.
* **Add Spices:** Experiment with different spices to customize the flavor of your peach crisp. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom all pair well with peaches.
* **Use Different Types of Oats:** While rolled oats are the most common type of oats used in crisp toppings, you can also use quick oats or steel-cut oats. Quick oats will create a finer texture, while steel-cut oats will add more chewiness.
* **Add Nuts:** For extra flavor and texture, you can add chopped nuts to the crisp topping. Pecans, walnuts, and almonds are all great choices.
* **Tent with Foil:** If the topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.
* **Let it Cool:** Allowing the crisp to cool slightly before serving is important. This allows the filling to thicken and prevents it from being too runny. It also prevents you from burning your tongue!

## Variations and Add-Ins

* **Berry Peach Crisp:** Add a cup or two of fresh or frozen berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, to the peach filling.
* **Apple Peach Crisp:** Combine sliced peaches with sliced apples for a delicious fall-inspired crisp.
* **Ginger Peach Crisp:** Add a teaspoon of ground ginger to the peach filling for a warm, spicy flavor.
* **Nutty Peach Crisp:** Add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crisp topping.
* **Vegan Peach Crisp:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. Make sure the sugars are also vegan-friendly (some refined sugars are processed with bone char).
* **Gluten-Free Peach Crisp:** Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

## Serving Suggestions

* **Warm with Ice Cream:** The classic way to serve peach crisp is warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melts into the warm crisp, creating a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
* **With Whipped Cream:** Top the peach crisp with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a lighter alternative to ice cream.
* **With Yogurt:** For a healthier option, serve the peach crisp with a dollop of Greek yogurt or plain yogurt.
* **As a Brunch Dish:** Peach crisp can also be served as a brunch dish. Pair it with a side of bacon or sausage for a sweet and savory meal.
* **With a Caramel Drizzle:** Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the peach crisp for an extra touch of decadence.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the peach filling and the crisp topping separately ahead of time. Store the peach filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store the crisp topping in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, assemble the crisp and bake as directed.

## Storage Instructions

Store leftover peach crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.

## Recipe Card: Easy Peach Crisp

**Yields:** 8-10 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30-40 minutes

**Ingredients:**

### Peach Filling:
* 6-8 medium ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
* ½ cup granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

### Crisp Topping:
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup rolled oats
* ½ cup packed brown sugar
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Prepare the Peaches:** Peel and slice the peaches.
3. **Make the Peach Filling:** In a large bowl, combine peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using). Toss to coat and pour into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. **Make the Crisp Topping:** In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. **Assemble and Bake:** Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the peach filling. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the peach filling is bubbly. Tent with foil if the topping browns too quickly.
6. **Cool:** Let cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving.

**Nutrition Information:**

(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.)

* Calories: Approximately 350-400 per serving
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 45-50mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 50-60g
* Fiber: 3-5g
* Sugar: 30-40g
* Protein: 3-4g

## Conclusion

This easy peach crisp recipe is the perfect way to celebrate summer’s bounty. With its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can have a delicious and comforting dessert on the table in no time. Whether you’re serving it warm with ice cream or enjoying it as a brunch dish, this peach crisp is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, gather your ripe peaches, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a taste of summer!