Peaches & Cream is the perfect summer dessert! Made with fresh peaches baked in brown sugar and cinnamon and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
We love the summer peach season! Known for their vibrant flavor, the peaches, either sliced or diced, offer a soft bite. Their juicy sweetness is often enhanced when cooked with a sprinkle of sugar or a drizzle of honey. For the cream, we are using yummy vanilla ice cream! Not only is this dish a family-friendly delight, but it looks great when served!
Peaches and Cream is a popular dessert representing classic Southern American cuisine, often linked to summertime indulgence when peaches are ripe and juicy. With each bite you’ll be able to taste the natural sweetness of fresh baked peaches with the smooth richness of cool ice cream. Fresh peach desserts like a homemade Peach Pie are what summertime is all about. Discover more seasonal fresh fruit sweets in our Dessert Recipes catalog.
Table of contents
- About Our Peaches and Cream Recipe
- Peaches and Cream Ingredients
- Kitchen Tools & Equipment for Peaches and Cream
- How to Make Peaches and Cream
- Nutritional Facts
- Tips & Tricks for Peaches and Cream
- How to Make Grilled Peaches for Peaches and Cream
- How to Store Leftover Peaches and Cream
- Ideas to Serve Peaches and Cream
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Peaches and Cream Variations
About Our Peaches and Cream Recipe
Fresh Peaches & Cream is one of the easiest tasty summer desserts. In about 30 minutes you have a delicious peach dessert ready for a big scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream made with heavy cream. You can make a single serving for yourself or make a big batch of baked peaches for a summer cookout.
This recipe for Peaches & Cream is great for a crowd because it’s a gluten-free summer dessert without major allergens. And you can easily adjust it even further to make it more diet-friendly. Use dairy-free ice cream instead of regular, or you can lower the carbs by using your favorite sugar substitutes like monk fruit or stevia.
Like most Southern recipes, there are about as many ways to make Peaches & Cream as people who love this sweet summer dessert. Some recipes use sliced peaches, some use a condensed milk custard, and others soak peaches in whipping cream. But the basic goal is to get the wonderful sweet peaches and cool cream flavor in every bite.
Warm fresh peaches and cool ice cream are a match made in dessert heaven. Whether sliced in a Peach Cobbler or baked whole like Peaches and Cream, topping a peach dessert with a big scoop of cold ice cream is an absolute must.
This Peaches & Cream recipe uses whole peaches, sliced in half and baked with butter, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar so they get caramelized topping. The crunchy sugar layer brings out the natural sweetness of fresh peaches without overpowering them.
Can Peaches and Cream be Made Ahead of Time?
Peaches & Cream can be made ahead by baking all the fresh peaches the night before and then popping them back in the oven (or chafing dish for a crowd) until warm. If making for a party (or a really special summer dessert) offer toppings like toasted nuts, Salted Caramel Sauce, and white chocolate chips for your guests to make a Peaches & Cream Ice Cream Sundae.
Peaches and Cream Ingredients
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar: This packed sweetener caramelizes upon heating, giving a rich, molasses-like flavor to the dish. If needed, white sugar or coconut sugar can serve as alternatives, adjusting sweetness in equal measurements.
- 2 tablespoons Butter: Serving as a rich base, real butter melds the flavors together while adding a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture. For a dairy-free twist, coconut oil or vegan butter can be used.
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that enhances the peaches’ natural sweetness.
- 4 ripe Peaches: The juicy and sweet core of the dish, ripe peaches are key for their natural sugars and soft texture. Nectarines or drained canned peaches can step in when fresh peaches are unavailable.
- 4 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream: A creamy contrast to warm peaches, this element elevates the dish’s indulgence. Dairy-free alternatives or Greek yogurt can be used for varied dietary needs.
Kitchen Tools & Equipment for Peaches and Cream
- 9×13-inch baking dish: This type of pan is larger and deeper than a standard cookie sheet, allowing the peaches to cook evenly without overcrowding.
- Sharp knife: To cut the pitted peach in half.
How to Make Peaches and Cream
Time needed: 25 minutes.
Making Peaches and Cream is so easy and can be done in about 30 minutes! Check out the steps:
- Prep the Base
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, create mounds using ½ tablespoon of brown sugar for each peach half. Add a piece of butter and sprinkle cinnamon over each mound.
- Layer the Peaches
Place each peach half with the cut-side facing down on top of its respective mound of brown sugar and butter.
- Bake
Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the peaches are soft. Once done, turn the peaches over to have the cut side facing up, and spoon any remaining sauces over them.
- Serve
Serve by placing two warm peach halves on a plate, topping each serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutritional Facts
Tips & Tricks for Peaches and Cream
- Choose the Right Peaches: Opt for ripe but firm peaches. Overripe peaches can become too mushy when baked, while underripe ones won’t offer the right sweetness or texture.
- Freshness Matters: While the recipe can use canned or frozen peaches, nothing beats the flavor of fresh peaches, especially when they’re in season.
- Cream Choices: Vanilla ice cream is a go-to for this dish, but don’t limit yourself. Try cinnamon ice cream, honey-drizzled cream, or even mascarpone for a twist.
How to Make Grilled Peaches for Peaches and Cream
For a smoky flavor twist, try grilling the peaches instead of baking:
In a small bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until soft and smooth. Preheat the grill on high. Brush peaches with a bit of oil and grill peaches cut side down until grill marks appear (about 3-4 minutes) Move peaches to indirect heat in a grill-safe pan and fill peach halves with butter mixture, place cut side down. Cover grill and cook until fruit is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Flip over and spoon sauce on peaches before serving.
How to Store Leftover Peaches and Cream
- The Best Way to Store Peaches: This recipe is so good you likely won’t have extras! Once you’ve enjoyed this dessert and find yourself with leftover peaches, promptly transfer the peaches into an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap. Place the peaches in the refrigerator. Properly stored in this manner, your peaches will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Remember, the sooner you enjoy it, the better it will taste!
- Best Way to Reheat Peaches: When you’re ready to relish your stored peaches again, just heat them up again on a stovetop frying pan until they are warm and gooey again. Also, you can spread them out on a baking tray and reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until they’re warmed through.
- Freezing the Peaches: You can freeze cooked peaches for up to 6 months, but keep in mind the texture of thawed peaches won’t be the same as fresh peaches. To freeze, lay the peach slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. This method prevents the peach slices from sticking together. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen Peaches and Cream, thaw the peaches in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them using the method mentioned above.
Ideas to Serve Peaches and Cream
- Serve with Shortbread Cookies: Adding a side of crumbly shortbread cookies can introduce a delightful textural contrast. Guests can crumble these cookies over their Peaches and Cream, offering a crunchy counterpart to the smooth ice cream. Check out our recipe on how to make your own Shortbread Cookies at home!
- Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce is an excellent addition to serve your Peaches and Cream. The caramel enhances the sweet flavors of the already caramelized peaches. Then dust with a tablespoon of powdered sugar over the caramel. So delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While fresh summer peaches provide a distinct juicy and aromatic quality, canned or frozen peaches can be a convenient substitute. If you’re using canned peaches, be sure to drain the peach juice well to prevent excess moisture. You can drink the juice too if you’d like. Frozen peaches should be thawed before use.
Yes, you can experiment with various ice cream flavors like caramel, peach, or even cinnamon to add an extra layer of taste to the dish. Gelato or frozen yogurt can also serve as alternatives if you’re looking for a different texture or a lighter option.
Opt for coconut or almond-based ice creams for a dairy-free alternative. They complement the peach flavor beautifully. As for the ‘cream’, you can use coconut cream or almond cream.
Certainly! While cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note to the dessert, you can use alternatives like ground nutmeg or even a pinch of cardamom to introduce a unique flavor. We should note here, though, that it’s worth getting ground cinnamon.
Of course! Berries like strawberries, blueberries, or even slices of kiwi and banana can be fantastic additions. They not only add color and texture but also complement the flavors of the peaches and cream.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar , packed
- 2 tablespoons butter , cut into 8 pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon , or more to taste
- 4 ripe peaches , halved and pitted
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Arrange brown sugar in a mound, ½ tablespoon per peach half, in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top each brown sugar mound with a piece of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Place a peach half, cut-side down, on top of brown sugar & butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until peaches are soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Turn peaches back over (cut side up), spoon sauces back over.
- Plate 2 warm peaches per serving and top with 1 scoop vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
Want to save this recipe? Create a free account to easily save your favorite recipes
Peaches and Cream Variations
- Ice Cream: Vanilla isn’t the only ice cream for Peaches & Cream. Try Butter Pecan or Pralines and Cream flavor ice creams for more Southern flair!
- Bourbon: Drizzle fresh peaches with a tablespoon of bourbon (or vanilla extract) before baking to give a warm, spiced kick.
- Nuts: Sprinkle candied pecans or walnuts on your baked peaches before you top with ice cream.
- Fruit: You can substitute any other stone fruit, like apricots or plums, for the peaches in this recipe. Also, try pears or fresh berries!
- Whipped Cream: Regular Whipped Cream, Cool Whip, or Cream Cheese Whipped Cream would bring the cream flavor to go with the Peaches in place of (or with) ice cream.
- Grilled Peaches: For a summer cookout, try making grilled peaches with this Peaches & Cream recipe. Follow the instructions below.
More Yummy Peach Desserts
Photos used in a previous version of this post.
