Baked Peaches

Baked Peaches are the picture-perfect dish of summer! Infused with butter, brown sugar, a hint of citrus, and an optional touch of bourbon, these sweet, juicy treats are easy to make and turn out incredibly delicious. Serve yours warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!

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Why you’ll love this recipe

• Simplicity at its finest: Baked peaches are incredibly straightforward to make, but don’t let that fool you! The slow-baking method results in layers of rich, caramelized, and complex flavors.
• Seasonal: This dessert is an amazing way to make the most of peach season!
• Versatile: Serve baked peaches as a quick dessert on summer evenings or even an indulgent breakfast with pancakes, waffles, french toast, or crepes.

Summery baked peaches

Baked peaches are one of my all-time favorite desserts, especially when peach season is in full swing! It is one of the easiest recipes to prepare, but I love the way it highlights the natural sweetness of this fruit.

The soft, caramelized peaches are sweet and tangy with a rich depth from the brown sugar and vanilla. I like to add a touch of orange juice for a little extra brightness. If you opt for the bourbon, it adds warmth and enhances the peaches perfectly.

Like grilled peaches, baked peaches are best served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream, adding a creamy contrast to the sweet and slightly tart-baked peaches.

How to pick perfect peaches

When peaches are in season, it’s relatively easy to pick out good fruits. However, there are still a few things to keep in mind! Here are a few of my top tips:

• Color: Look for peaches with a vibrant gold color. Typically, a deeper color means a riper peach.
• Feel: Give the peach a gentle squeeze. It should give slightly under pressure (much like an avocado). Avoid peaches that are overly hard or soft.
• Aroma: Ripe peaches have a sweet aroma, so if you can’t smell anything, it likely means it’s underripe. 
• Skin: The skin should be smooth and free from blemishes or dark spots. Additionally, wrinkled skin can indicate an overripe peach.
• Stem: If the area around the stem is still green, the peach is likely underripe. Your goal is to have it be the same color as the rest of the fruit.

Remember, peaches will continue to ripen after they’re picked. If they’re still a little hard at the market, don’t worry! They should be ready to use after sitting for a few days on the counter.

Ingredients & substitutions

• Peaches: Choose ripe but firm peaches for the best final texture. If peaches aren’t available, you can try using nectarines or apricots instead.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a caramelized flavor. Make sure to use unsalted butter to prevent an overly salty baked peaches taste.
• Brown sugar: Provides sweetness and caramel, molasses notes. If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute it with coconut sugar or regular granulated sugar.
• Orange juice: Adds a citrusy brightness that balances the sweetness of the dessert. You can use lemon juice if you prefer, or omit the citrus juice altogether.
• Vanilla: Provides a sweet aroma and flavor that perfectly complements the peaches.
• Bourbon: An optional ingredient, but I love to add a dash for warmth and complexity. You can leave it out or substitute it with rum or brandy.

How to make baked peaches

1. Prepare the peaches: Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying the peaches. Pop them into a deep baking dish, and don’t worry about pitting them.
2. Create the sauce: Melt the butter, then whisk it together with the brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and bourbon (if you’re using it).
3. Bake the peaches: Pour the caramel mixture over the peaches and let the oven work its magic at 375F for about 30-45 minutes or until fork tender. Serve your baked peaches warm with extra caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

The best toppings for baked peaches

If you want to turn the flavors of your baked peaches up a notch, I suggest pairing them with some of the following:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Caramel sauce
• Chopped nuts
• Fresh mint leaves

Frequently asked questions

Storage & reheating

If you have any leftover baked peaches, follow these simple storage tips:

• Fridge: Once cooled, transfer the baked peaches to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: For longer storage, move the container to the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: To reheat the peaches, warm them in a baking dish in the oven at 350F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.

Variations

• Warming spices: Add a dash of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg.
• Switch up the sweetener: Use honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a different flavor profile.
• Crumble topping: Try making a crumble topping to add texture and flavor. 
• Berries: Mix in some fresh blueberries or blackberries for added flavor and color.
• Salt: Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking it to impart salted caramel notes.
• Nuts: Add a handful of chopped pecans, cashews, or walnuts for a crunch.

Top tips

• Choose the right peaches: Look for peaches that are ripe but firm. They will taste sweet but also hold up to baking well.
• Stir the mixture: You want to ensure the butter is melted and well combined with the sugar so it dissolves and doesn’t end up burning in the oven.
• Fork tender: The peaches are done when they’re fork tender. A fork (or knife) should easily pierce and glide through the peach flesh.
• Test your peaches: If your batch of peaches isn’t very sweet, you can add a bit more sugar to the recipe to make up for the loss of flavor.
• Cool first: Make sure to let the peaches cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to thicken slightly, resulting in a rich caramel sauce.

Looking for more dessert recipes?

If you enjoyed this baked peaches recipe, be sure to check out some more fruit-forward desserts like these:

• Frozen Yogurt Bark
• Strawberry Rhubarb Fruit Galette
• Strawberry Snacking Cake
• Cream Cheese Berry Danish
• Raspberry Lemon Burnt Basque Cheesecake

If you try this Baked Peaches recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!