Introduction
Oh my goodness, get ready to meet your new favorite simple dessert! There’s just something magical about biting into a warm, tender peach, especially when it’s baked with that classic, comforting mix of cinnamon sugar and cozy spices. This recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches is one of those dishes that just screams “summer evening,” “cozy autumn treat,” or honestly, “delicious any time!” It’s ridiculously easy, comes together in minutes, and makes your kitchen smell like pure happiness. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: From start to table in under 40 minutes, with most of that being passive bake time!
- Easy: Only a handful of ingredients and super simple steps. No fancy techniques required!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Who can resist warm, spiced peaches? Everyone loves this classic combination.
- Versatile: Perfect on its own, with ice cream, or even for breakfast!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to gather from your kitchen. Simple, right?
- 4 large ripe peaches: Look for peaches that yield slightly to a gentle squeeze but aren’t mushy. Ripe peaches mean more natural sweetness and better flavor!
- 3 tablespoons butter: Unsalted or salted works fine here. It’s the carrier for all that delicious spice and sugar!
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds that lovely caramel-y sweetness. Light or dark brown sugar is great.
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon: The star of the show, bringing warmth and classic flavor.
- Pinch of nutmeg: Just a hint adds depth and coziness.
- Pinch of cloves: A tiny bit goes a long way! It enhances the other warming spices beautifully.
- Pinch of salt: Don’t skip this! Salt balances the sweetness and makes all the other flavors pop.
- Vanilla ice cream for serving (optional): Highly recommended, in my humble opinion! The cold, creamy ice cream melting into the warm peaches is pure bliss.
How to Make It
Ready to get baking? It’s so straightforward, you’ll be done before you know it!
- First things first, get your oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it’s nice and hot when your peaches are ready to go in.
- Grab those beautiful peaches. Carefully cut each one in half, following the seam all the way around. Give the halves a gentle twist, and they should separate easily. Then, use a spoon or paring knife to carefully scoop out the pit.
- Arrange the pitted peach halves in a baking dish that’s just large enough to hold them snugly, cut-side facing up.
- Now, let’s make that irresistible topping! In a small microwave-safe bowl or a tiny saucepan, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and that crucial pinch of salt until it’s all combined into a thick, fragrant mixture.
- Spoon this glorious butter-sugar mixture evenly into the little hollow where the pit used to be in each peach half. Don’t be shy, get a good amount in there!
- Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes. The exact time will depend on how ripe your peaches are. You’re looking for them to be tender when you gently pierce them with a fork, and the topping should be bubbly and smell amazing.
- Carefully remove the dish from the oven (it’s hot!). Let the peaches cool just slightly for a few minutes before serving.
Substitutions & Additions
Want to mix things up? Here are a few ideas:
- Spice it up: Add a tiny pinch of ginger or cardamom to the spice mix for extra warmth.
- Add some crunch: Sprinkle a little granola, chopped pecans, or walnuts over the peaches before baking.
- Make it a crumble: Mix the butter, sugar, and spices with a few tablespoons of flour and some oats to create a quick crumble topping to spoon over the peaches instead of just the butter mixture.
- Dairy-Free: Easily swap the butter for your favorite vegan butter or coconut oil.
- Other Fruits: While peaches are classic, you could try this with nectarines or even firm plums, though baking time might vary slightly.
Tips for Success
- Choose Wisely: Using ripe but still slightly firm peaches is key. If they are too soft, they might turn mushy in the oven.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Give your peaches a little room in the baking dish so they bake evenly.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking at 20 minutes. You want them tender, but not falling apart. A fork should slide in relatively easily.
- Prep Ahead: You can cut the peaches and make the butter-sugar mixture a few hours ahead of time. Keep them separate at room temperature or in the fridge, then assemble and bake when ready.
How to Store It
If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence in my house!), let the baked peaches cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can gently reheat them in the microwave or oven, or enjoy them chilled straight from the fridge!
FAQs
Got questions? Let’s cover a few common ones!
Do I need to peel the peaches?
Nope! The beauty of baked peaches is that the skin softens beautifully in the oven, so you don’t need to peel them. It saves time and adds a little texture.
Can I use frozen peaches?
Fresh peaches are definitely preferred for this recipe, as frozen ones can release a lot of water and become overly soft. If you only have frozen, make sure they are thawed and drained well before using. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly.
How do I know when they are done baking?
The best way to tell is by gently piercing a peach half with a fork. If it slides in easily with just a little resistance, they’re ready! The topping should also look bubbly and caramelized.
Can I make this without brown sugar?
You could substitute with granulated sugar or coconut sugar, but brown sugar gives that specific, lovely caramel note that makes this recipe so special. If you swap, the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious!
Cozy Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking dish
- Small bowl Microwave-safe
- Saucepan Optional alternative to bowl
- Spoon
- Paring knife For removing pit
- Fork For checking doneness
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 large ripe peaches Yield slightly to a gentle squeeze but aren't mushy
- 3 tablespoons butter Unsalted or salted
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar Light or dark
- 0.25 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 pinch cloves
- 1 pinch salt
- Vanilla ice cream For serving (optional)
Instructions
- First things first, get your oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). This ensures it's nice and hot when your peaches are ready to go in.
- Grab those beautiful peaches. Carefully cut each one in half, following the seam all the way around. Give the halves a gentle twist, and they should separate easily. Then, use a spoon or paring knife to carefully scoop out the pit.
- Arrange the pitted peach halves in a baking dish that's just large enough to hold them snugly, cut-side facing up.
- Now, let's make that irresistible topping! In a small microwave-safe bowl or a tiny saucepan, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and that crucial pinch of salt until it's all combined into a thick, fragrant mixture.
- Spoon this glorious butter-sugar mixture evenly into the little hollow where the pit used to be in each peach half. Don't be shy, get a good amount in there!
- Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes. The exact time will depend on how ripe your peaches are. You're looking for them to be tender when you gently pierce them with a fork, and the topping should be bubbly and smell amazing.
- Carefully remove the dish from the oven (it's hot!). Let the peaches cool just slightly for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Spice it up: Add a tiny pinch of ginger or cardamom to the spice mix for extra warmth.
Add some crunch: Sprinkle a little granola, chopped pecans, or walnuts over the peaches before baking.
Make it a crumble: Mix the butter, sugar, and spices with a few tablespoons of flour and some oats to create a quick crumble topping.
Dairy-Free: Easily swap the butter for your favorite vegan butter or coconut oil.
Other Fruits: Try with nectarines or firm plums (baking time may vary). Tips for Success:
Choose Wisely: Use ripe but slightly firm peaches to avoid mushiness.
Don't Overcrowd: Give peaches room in the baking dish for even baking.
Check for Doneness: Start checking at 20 minutes. Peaches should be tender when pierced with a fork.
Prep Ahead: Cut peaches and make the butter-sugar mixture hours ahead. Store separately at room temp or fridge. Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in microwave or oven, or enjoy chilled. FAQs:
No need to peel the peaches; the skin softens during baking.
Fresh peaches are preferred over frozen due to water release and texture, but thawed and drained frozen peaches can be used.
Peaches are done when tender (fork slides in easily) and topping is bubbly.