8-Step Ultimate Peach Crumble
This peach crumble recipe features sweet peaches under a buttery crumble topping, perfect for any season. Its simplicity and deliciousness make it the ideal dessert for beginners and peach lovers alike.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Sliced fresh peaches
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Brown sugar packed
- ½ cup White sugar
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup Cold butter cubed
- 1 cup Rolled oats Optional for added texture
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Begin by setting your oven to preheat at 375 °F (190 °C). This specific temperature helps to perfectly cook the crumble topping while allowing the peaches to become tender and juicy without becoming mushy. Use butter or a high-quality non-stick spray to grease an 8×8-inch baking dish thoroughly. It’s important to cover all interior surfaces to prevent any part of the crumble from sticking, which ensures a beautiful presentation and seamless serving.
- Prepare the Peaches: Choose peaches that are ripe yet still maintain their firmness, as this will help them maintain their shape while baking and deliver an intense, sweet taste. Wash the peaches under cool running water, then peel them to remove the skin, which can become tough when baked. Slice the peaches into uniform half-inch-thick slices to promote even cooking. Place the slices in a flat, uniform row on the greased baking pan's surface. This arrangement ensures that each bite contains the perfect balance of moist fruit and crispy topping.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a spacious bowl for blending, combine your dry components: take 1 cup (0.24 l) of all-purpose flour and add both types of sugar: 1/2 cup of brown and 1/2 cup of regular granulated sugar. This combination provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the natural tartness of the peaches. Incorporate half a teaspoon of cinnamon to create a cozy, aromatic element, and mix in a quarter teaspoon of salt to amplify the overall taste. Stir these ingredients together until well mixed, ensuring that the cinnamon and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour and sugar.
- Incorporate the Butter: Take 1/2 cup of cold butter and cut it into small cubes. Maintaining a cold temperature is essential because it stops the butter from combining with the flour, allowing the topping to develop its signature airy and crispy consistency. Place the diced, cold butter into the mixture of dry components. Break down the butter into the mixture using either a pastry blender or a pair of forks, continuing until the mixture takes on the appearance of rough, small crumbs. This technique helps create small pockets of butter within the crumble, which will melt as the crumble bakes, creating a deliciously crispy topping.
- Optional Oats: For extra crunch and a hint of nuttiness, mix 1 cup (0.24 l) of rolled oats into your crumble topping. This ingredient is optional, but recommended for those who enjoy a heartier crumble. The oats not only add to the crunch but also absorb some juices released by the peaches, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
- Assemble: Carefully sprinkle the crumble mixture over the arranged peach slices in the baking dish, making sure to cover the peaches evenly. The uniform distribution of the topping is crucial, as it guarantees that each slice of peach receives a thick layer of crumble, which creates a delightful golden-brown crust while delivering a pleasing crunch that complements the tender, moist peaches underneath.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven that has been heated beforehand and cook for about 45 minutes. Watch for the crumble topping to turn a rich golden brown and the edges of the peach layer to bubble vigorously. These bubbles indicate that the peaches are cooking perfectly, releasing their natural juices, which are thickening with the heat.
- Serve: Once baked, remove the peach crumble from the oven and let it cool in the dish for about 10–15 minutes. This cooling period allows the fruit layer to thicken slightly, which makes the crumble easier to serve. For optimal taste and consistency, enjoy while hot. Crown your dessert with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, or embellish it with a rich dollop of fresh whipped cream. Both options complement the fragrant spices and sweet, honeyed peaches beautifully.
Notes
- Calories per serving: 320 (68 grams)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Tags: Vegetarian
- Nutritional Info per serving: 12g fat, 7g sat fat, 52g carbs, 3g fiber, 4g protein, 220 mg sodium
