Peach Crumble

A classic summer dessert, peach crumble encapsulates the flavor of luscious, juicy peaches beneath a crunchy, buttery crust. This easy but delicious recipe captures the warmth of the season and goes well with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. This piece delves into the skill of creating the ideal crumble by striking a balance between texture and sweetness.

Tasting Notes

The Peach Crumble strikes a perfect balance between the natural sweetness of ripe peaches and the crunchy, spiced crumble topping. The warmth of cinnamon adds a cozy touch, making each bite a comforting experience. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, with the contrast of the warm filling and cool ice cream creating a delightful sensation.

Ingredients

For the Peach Filling:

• 6 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Kitchen Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Peeler
• Knife
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Pastry cutter or fork

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced peaches, granulated sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Toss until the peaches are evenly coated, and then transfer the mixture to the 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
3. In another bowl, prepare the crumble topping by combining the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold diced butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the peach filling in the baking dish.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown, and the peach filling is bubbly.
6. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
7. Serve the Peach Crumble warm, optionally topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Pro Tips

• Use ripe but firm peaches for the best flavor and texture.
• Adjust the sugar in the filling according to the sweetness of your peaches.
• Experiment with adding a handful of chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, to the crumble topping for extra crunch.

Variations

• Try substituting half of the peaches with berries like blueberries or raspberries for a mixed fruit crumble.
• Add a hint of citrus by including a tablespoon of lemon juice or zest to the peach filling.

FAQs