Peachy Keen
My mom always had a soft spot for peaches, whether in a pie, a cobbler, or just fresh off the tree (or from the store).
Here are six peach desserts that I'm sure Mom would have been proud to serve, including Southern Peaches with Pecan Shortbread and, of course, a Peach Pie. Enjoy!
Mom
PEACH CRISP
This is from Yossy Arefi in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Yossy wrote, "Peach crisp is one of the joys of summer, and honey-sweet peaches need very little adornment, aside from this buttery crisp topping. Choose peaches that are just ripe for baking, as super-ripe peaches will turn into mush during this dessert’s long bake time. In this crisp, the peaches are peeled for the most luscious texture — and you can do so using a standard Y-shaped peeler (no need to boil a pot of water). That said, if you don’t have the time or energy to peel your peaches, you can leave them on for a slightly more rustic dessert. You may notice there aren’t any spices in this recipe, but vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg all pair very nicely with peaches."
Time: About 2 hours; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024392-peach-crisp.
Ingredients
3 pounds peaches (about 8), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Fine salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 packed cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup unsalted butter, soft but cool and cut into pieces
Vanilla ice cream (optional), to serve
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees with a rack in the center.
In a large bowl, combine the peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, transfer to an 8-by-8 inch baking dish and press down gently to compact the fruit in the dish. To a medium bowl, add the flour, light brown sugar, oats and 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir to combine. Add the butter and use your fingers or a pastry blender to smash the butter into the flour mixture until evenly mixed and clumps form.
Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the peaches, then bake the crisp until the topping is golden brown and the peach juices are bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes.
Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream on top, if using.
SOUTHERN PEACHES WITH PECAN SHORTBREAD
This is from the July/August 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 48. It begins, "This recipe makes about 18 cookies." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/southern-peaches-with-pecan-shortbread/.
Ingredients
Southern peaches
2 Tbs. granulated sugar, or to taste
1/8 tsp. salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Pecan shortbread
1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Soft whipped cream
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Preparation
To make Southern Peaches: Slice peaches, and put slices into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle slices with sugar, salt and lemon juice. Set aside, covered, at room temperature.
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly butter a large baking sheet, and set aside.
To make Pecan Shortbread: Cream butter, flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl, using an electric beater, until dough is smooth and creamy. Add vanilla, and beat again. Stir in pecans. Pinch off a piece of dough, and roll into a 1-inch ball. Place on cookie sheet, and press flat with tines of a fork. Repeat with remaining dough.
Bake cookies until golden but not brown, for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and, while still warm, sprinkle both sides with sugar. Set aside to cool.
To make Soft Whipped Cream: Put all ingredients into a chilled mixing bowl. Whip just until cream forms soft peaks, taking care not to overwhip. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
To serve, spoon portions of cut-up peaches on individual plates, place 2 cookies next to peaches and top with Soft Whipped Cream, if using.
PEACH PIE
If I remember right, this is from my mom, who loved a good peach pie.
Ingredients
4 C peaches, cut up
1 to 1-1/4 C sugar
3 T unbleached flour
dash salt
2 T butter
1 unbaked pie shell and lattice top
Directions
Arrange peaches in unbaked pie shell. Mix sugar, flour & salt. Sprinkle over peaches. Dot with butter. Cover with lattice top. Bake at 425 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
SHORTCUT PEACH COBBLER
This is from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This peach cobbler has long been a popular way to make a cobbler quickly. This version is made with canned sliced peaches, and it's perfect for when you don't have time to peel and pit several peaches. Or when peaches aren't in season.
“The batter calls for self-rising flour, but if you don't have it you may substitute with 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of table salt.
“This is an excellent dessert to make on a busy day, and it's a popular cobbler in the South. Take it along to a summer cookout or potluck!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Timie: 50 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: 1 9X13 pan (8 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 stick (4 ounces) butter
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup milk (low-fat is fine)
1 large can (29 ounces) sliced peaches in heavy syrup
Directions
Heat the oven to 350 F.
Put the butter in a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan or a 2-1/2 to 3 quart baking dish and place it in the oven until the butter has melted.
Meanwhile, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl and stir to blend. Stir in the milk until well blended.
Take the pan out of the oven and pour the batter over the butter.
Spoon the peaches with syrup evenly over the batter.
Bake the peach cobbler for 45 to 55 minutes, until the topping is golden brown around the edges and lightly browned in the center.
GINGER-PEACH SORBET
This is from page 46 of the July/August 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe states, “Fresh peaches, lightly cooked with a bit of sugar and fresh, spicy ginger, play double duty. Pulse the frozen cubes in the food processor with a splash of Prosecco and you have a light, flaky sorbet. Thaw the cubes, omit the prosecco, and use the mixture as a topper for ice cream or angel food cake.” Serves 6.
Ingredients:
6 very ripe medium peaches (3 lb.)
1/4 cup sugar
4-1/4-inch-thick coins fresh ginger
2 Tbs. lemon juice
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
6 Tbs. Prosecco or white wine
Directions:
Score X on bottom of each peach. Place in bowl, and cover with boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Remove skins and pits, and chop.
Bring peaches, sugar, ginger, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a boil in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 5 minutes, or until peaches are soft.
Remove ginger, transfer peach mixture to food processor, and blend until smooth. Cool.
Pour cooled sauce into 6-1/2-cup silicone molds or muffin pan cups. Press plastic wrap over surface of molds to seal out air. Freeze 4 hours, or until completely solid, then transfer to freezer bag to store.
To make sorbet: Pulse frozen cubes and Prosecco in food processor until smooth. Transfer to freezer-safe container, and freeze until ready to serve.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 121; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: less than 1 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 25 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
PEACH UPSIDE DOWN SKILLET CAKE WITH BOURBON WHIPPED CREAM
This is from Virginia Willis and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. (If you haven't signed up for the cooking newsletter yet, you really should! Lots of wonderful recipes in there!)
Anyway, Julia wrote, "A lush combination of a Southern upside-down cake and a French tarte tatin, this cake is deeply caramelized on top and light and fluffy beneath. The chef Virginia Willis, who put the recipe together, uses a whole vanilla bean, but if you don't feel like making that investment, a teaspoon of strong pure vanilla extract is fine. She uses a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, but a heavy nonstick one would work too. The whipped cream is optional, as is the bourbon that brightens it; you can add vanilla, confectioners' sugar or both if you prefer."
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1-1/4 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Is It Southern Food, or Soul Food?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019456-peach-upside-down-skillet-cake-with-bourbon-whipped-cream.
Ingredients
For the cake:
4 medium peaches (about 1-1/2 pounds), unpeeled and cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup cake flour, not self-rising
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar
5 ounces unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons), at cool room temperature
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
For the bourbon whipped cream (optional):
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon bourbon
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. (This is in case the cake bubbles over during baking.)
In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the lemon juice. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, cook 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately add 2 tablespoons of the butter, stirring vigorously. The mixture may appear curdled and broken; don’t worry, it will smooth out. Arrange the peach wedges in concentric circles over the sugar mixture, overlapping as needed to make them fit.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the remaining sugar, butter and the vanilla bean seeds (or vanilla extract) on medium speed until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add the sour cream and beat until blended. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until blended and stopping to scrape bowl as needed. Spoon the batter over the peaches in the skillet and spread to cover.
Place the skillet on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
Make the whipped cream, if desired: In a large bowl, preferably metal, combine cream and bourbon. Refrigerate, along with a metal whisk or mixer attachments, for at least 15 minutes. Once chilled, whip the mixture until it holds soft peaks, 3 to 5 minutes.
Let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen. If you see liquid around the edges of the skillet, carefully pour off into a measuring cup and set aside. (It’s O.K. if you don’t have any excess liquid — it all depends on how juicy your fruit is.)
Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate and drizzle with any reserved liquid. Let cool about 10 minutes more, to set. Cut into wedges using a serrated knife and serve, topping each slice with whipped cream if you like.
Here are six peach desserts that I'm sure Mom would have been proud to serve, including Southern Peaches with Pecan Shortbread and, of course, a Peach Pie. Enjoy!
Mom
PEACH CRISP
This is from Yossy Arefi in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Yossy wrote, "Peach crisp is one of the joys of summer, and honey-sweet peaches need very little adornment, aside from this buttery crisp topping. Choose peaches that are just ripe for baking, as super-ripe peaches will turn into mush during this dessert’s long bake time. In this crisp, the peaches are peeled for the most luscious texture — and you can do so using a standard Y-shaped peeler (no need to boil a pot of water). That said, if you don’t have the time or energy to peel your peaches, you can leave them on for a slightly more rustic dessert. You may notice there aren’t any spices in this recipe, but vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg all pair very nicely with peaches."
Time: About 2 hours; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024392-peach-crisp.
Ingredients
3 pounds peaches (about 8), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Fine salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 packed cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup unsalted butter, soft but cool and cut into pieces
Vanilla ice cream (optional), to serve
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees with a rack in the center.
In a large bowl, combine the peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, transfer to an 8-by-8 inch baking dish and press down gently to compact the fruit in the dish. To a medium bowl, add the flour, light brown sugar, oats and 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir to combine. Add the butter and use your fingers or a pastry blender to smash the butter into the flour mixture until evenly mixed and clumps form.
Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the peaches, then bake the crisp until the topping is golden brown and the peach juices are bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes.
Serve warm, with vanilla ice cream on top, if using.
SOUTHERN PEACHES WITH PECAN SHORTBREAD
This is from the July/August 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 48. It begins, "This recipe makes about 18 cookies." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/southern-peaches-with-pecan-shortbread/.
Ingredients
Southern peaches
2 Tbs. granulated sugar, or to taste
1/8 tsp. salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Pecan shortbread
1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Soft whipped cream
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Preparation
To make Southern Peaches: Slice peaches, and put slices into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle slices with sugar, salt and lemon juice. Set aside, covered, at room temperature.
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly butter a large baking sheet, and set aside.
To make Pecan Shortbread: Cream butter, flour, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl, using an electric beater, until dough is smooth and creamy. Add vanilla, and beat again. Stir in pecans. Pinch off a piece of dough, and roll into a 1-inch ball. Place on cookie sheet, and press flat with tines of a fork. Repeat with remaining dough.
Bake cookies until golden but not brown, for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and, while still warm, sprinkle both sides with sugar. Set aside to cool.
To make Soft Whipped Cream: Put all ingredients into a chilled mixing bowl. Whip just until cream forms soft peaks, taking care not to overwhip. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
To serve, spoon portions of cut-up peaches on individual plates, place 2 cookies next to peaches and top with Soft Whipped Cream, if using.
PEACH PIE
If I remember right, this is from my mom, who loved a good peach pie.
Ingredients
4 C peaches, cut up
1 to 1-1/4 C sugar
3 T unbleached flour
dash salt
2 T butter
1 unbaked pie shell and lattice top
Directions
Arrange peaches in unbaked pie shell. Mix sugar, flour & salt. Sprinkle over peaches. Dot with butter. Cover with lattice top. Bake at 425 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
SHORTCUT PEACH COBBLER
This is from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This peach cobbler has long been a popular way to make a cobbler quickly. This version is made with canned sliced peaches, and it's perfect for when you don't have time to peel and pit several peaches. Or when peaches aren't in season.
“The batter calls for self-rising flour, but if you don't have it you may substitute with 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of table salt.
“This is an excellent dessert to make on a busy day, and it's a popular cobbler in the South. Take it along to a summer cookout or potluck!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Timie: 50 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: 1 9X13 pan (8 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 stick (4 ounces) butter
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup milk (low-fat is fine)
1 large can (29 ounces) sliced peaches in heavy syrup
Directions
Heat the oven to 350 F.
Put the butter in a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan or a 2-1/2 to 3 quart baking dish and place it in the oven until the butter has melted.
Meanwhile, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl and stir to blend. Stir in the milk until well blended.
Take the pan out of the oven and pour the batter over the butter.
Spoon the peaches with syrup evenly over the batter.
Bake the peach cobbler for 45 to 55 minutes, until the topping is golden brown around the edges and lightly browned in the center.
GINGER-PEACH SORBET
This is from page 46 of the July/August 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe states, “Fresh peaches, lightly cooked with a bit of sugar and fresh, spicy ginger, play double duty. Pulse the frozen cubes in the food processor with a splash of Prosecco and you have a light, flaky sorbet. Thaw the cubes, omit the prosecco, and use the mixture as a topper for ice cream or angel food cake.” Serves 6.
Ingredients:
6 very ripe medium peaches (3 lb.)
1/4 cup sugar
4-1/4-inch-thick coins fresh ginger
2 Tbs. lemon juice
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
6 Tbs. Prosecco or white wine
Directions:
Score X on bottom of each peach. Place in bowl, and cover with boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Remove skins and pits, and chop.
Bring peaches, sugar, ginger, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a boil in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 5 minutes, or until peaches are soft.
Remove ginger, transfer peach mixture to food processor, and blend until smooth. Cool.
Pour cooled sauce into 6-1/2-cup silicone molds or muffin pan cups. Press plastic wrap over surface of molds to seal out air. Freeze 4 hours, or until completely solid, then transfer to freezer bag to store.
To make sorbet: Pulse frozen cubes and Prosecco in food processor until smooth. Transfer to freezer-safe container, and freeze until ready to serve.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 121; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: less than 1 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 25 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
PEACH UPSIDE DOWN SKILLET CAKE WITH BOURBON WHIPPED CREAM
This is from Virginia Willis and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. (If you haven't signed up for the cooking newsletter yet, you really should! Lots of wonderful recipes in there!)
Anyway, Julia wrote, "A lush combination of a Southern upside-down cake and a French tarte tatin, this cake is deeply caramelized on top and light and fluffy beneath. The chef Virginia Willis, who put the recipe together, uses a whole vanilla bean, but if you don't feel like making that investment, a teaspoon of strong pure vanilla extract is fine. She uses a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, but a heavy nonstick one would work too. The whipped cream is optional, as is the bourbon that brightens it; you can add vanilla, confectioners' sugar or both if you prefer."
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1-1/4 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Is It Southern Food, or Soul Food?", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019456-peach-upside-down-skillet-cake-with-bourbon-whipped-cream.
Ingredients
For the cake:
4 medium peaches (about 1-1/2 pounds), unpeeled and cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup cake flour, not self-rising
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar
5 ounces unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons), at cool room temperature
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped, or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
For the bourbon whipped cream (optional):
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon bourbon
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. (This is in case the cake bubbles over during baking.)
In a large bowl, toss the peaches with the lemon juice. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, cook 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately add 2 tablespoons of the butter, stirring vigorously. The mixture may appear curdled and broken; don’t worry, it will smooth out. Arrange the peach wedges in concentric circles over the sugar mixture, overlapping as needed to make them fit.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the remaining sugar, butter and the vanilla bean seeds (or vanilla extract) on medium speed until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add the sour cream and beat until blended. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, beating just until blended and stopping to scrape bowl as needed. Spoon the batter over the peaches in the skillet and spread to cover.
Place the skillet on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
Make the whipped cream, if desired: In a large bowl, preferably metal, combine cream and bourbon. Refrigerate, along with a metal whisk or mixer attachments, for at least 15 minutes. Once chilled, whip the mixture until it holds soft peaks, 3 to 5 minutes.
Let the cake cool in the skillet on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen. If you see liquid around the edges of the skillet, carefully pour off into a measuring cup and set aside. (It’s O.K. if you don’t have any excess liquid — it all depends on how juicy your fruit is.)
Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate and drizzle with any reserved liquid. Let cool about 10 minutes more, to set. Cut into wedges using a serrated knife and serve, topping each slice with whipped cream if you like.
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