Irresistible Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble: Your Ultimate Summer Dessert Recipe
Welcome to the epitome of late summer indulgence: the Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble. This isn’t just another dessert; it’s a celebration of nature’s bounty, blending the vibrant tartness of fresh cherries with the sweet juiciness of ripe peaches. Crowned with a golden-brown, buttery oatmeal topping infused with a hint of brown sugar, this crumble is incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to become a crowd-pleaser. Prepare for rave reviews and make sure to have plenty of vanilla bean ice cream on hand – it’s the perfect accompaniment to this warm, bubbly delight!
As the days shorten and the warmth of summer gently transitions into the crisp promise of autumn, my kitchen always finds its way to comforting baked goods. And when it comes to fruit desserts, a good crumble, especially one featuring sweet peaches and tart cherries, holds a special place in my heart. Forget complicated pies; this easy peach and cherry crumble offers all the comforting flavors with minimal fuss, making it a perfect candidate for your weekend baking project or a delightful weeknight treat.
The beauty of this dessert lies in its perfect timing. Late summer is prime peach season, and cherries are still making their glorious appearance. This crumble captures the essence of these fleeting flavors, offering a warm, gooey fruit filling that sings with the taste of sunshine. The addition of a touch of bourbon elevates the fruit, adding a subtle depth and warmth that hints at the coming fall, without overpowering the natural sweetness and tang.
Beyond the luscious fruit filling, there’s the star of the show: the crunchy, golden-brown topping. Made with a wholesome blend of old-fashioned oats, rich brown sugar, and plenty of butter, it bakes to a perfect crispness. Each spoonful offers a delightful contrast of textures – the soft, warm fruit against the buttery, sweet, and slightly chewy crumble. It’s a sensory experience that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
And let’s be honest, no fruit crumble is truly complete without a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting lazily over its warm surface. The cold sweetness of the ice cream perfectly balances the hot, fruity tang, creating a symphony of flavors and temperatures. This simple addition transforms a delicious dessert into an absolutely unforgettable one, making it an ideal treat for any occasion, from casual family dinners to more festive gatherings. Truly, this peach and cherry crumble is so good, you might find yourself wanting to enjoy it every single night!
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Essential Tools for Your Perfect Crumble
Preparing this exquisite Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble requires just a few basic kitchen tools, making it accessible even for novice bakers. You’ll primarily need a sturdy set of mixing bowls for combining your ingredients and a reliable wooden spoon or spatula for stirring. One crucial tool, however, will be your own two hands – they’re indispensable for achieving that perfect crumble topping texture!
For baking, I often reach for my cherished 2 1/2 quart baking dish, a vintage find from a local thrift store. Its size and depth are ideal for allowing the fruit to bubble beautifully and the topping to crisp evenly. However, don’t feel limited to this specific size or type. Any similar-sized baking dish you own, whether it’s glass or ceramic, will work wonderfully. A standard 9×9-inch baking dish is also a fantastic alternative, providing ample space for this delightful dessert to cook to perfection.
Crafting Your Delicious Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble
Creating this magnificent Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble is surprisingly straightforward, divided into three simple steps: preparing the luscious fruit filling, mixing the irresistible oatmeal crumble, and finally, assembling and baking to golden perfection.
Preparing the Rich Fruit Filling
The heart of this crumble is its vibrant fruit filling. Start by selecting the freshest, ripest peaches and cherries you can find – their natural sweetness and acidity are key. For the peaches, you’ll want to peel and thinly slice them. While some prefer leaving the skin on for extra texture, peeling ensures a smoother, more tender filling. As for the cherries, pitting them is crucial. A cherry pitter makes this task quick and easy, but you can also use a small knife or a sturdy straw to push out the pits.
Once your fruit is prepped, gently toss it with light brown sugar, a generous tablespoon of bourbon (which adds a wonderful layer of flavor without being overtly alcoholic), a touch of flour to thicken the juices, a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors, and a hint of cinnamon for warmth. Finally, a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste amplifies the overall aroma and taste. Distribute this fragrant mixture evenly into your chosen baking dish. Dotting the top with small cubes of unsalted butter before adding the crumble topping ensures extra richness and a beautifully caramelized base as it bakes.
Crafting the Perfect Golden Crumble Topping
The brown sugar oatmeal crumble topping is arguably one of the most beloved components of this dessert. It transforms from a simple mixture into a golden, buttery, and satisfyingly crunchy layer that beautifully complements the soft, warm fruit filling beneath. The key to its perfection lies in the method of mixing, specifically how you incorporate the butter.
In a separate bowl, combine old-fashioned oats, loosely packed light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, a pinch of cinnamon, and a dash of salt. Then, add softened, unsalted butter. This is where your hands become your best tools! Using your fingertips, gently rub and pinch the butter into the dry ingredients. You want to break up the larger pieces of butter and distribute them evenly throughout the mixture. The goal is to achieve a texture that resembles wet sand – crumbly, but with enough cohesion that small clusters can form. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to a tough topping. The warmth of your hands helps to slightly melt and blend the butter, creating pockets of flavor that will crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Assembling and Baking to Perfection
With both the filling and the crumble prepared, it’s time for the grand finale – assembly and baking. Evenly sprinkle the crumbly oat mixture over your prepared fruit filling, ensuring a consistent layer that will bake into a uniform golden crust. Then, slide your baking dish into a preheated oven. The magic happens over the next 35 to 45 minutes as the fruit juices begin to bubble enthusiastically and the crumble topping transforms into a beautiful golden hue.
Once baked, you’ll be greeted by an intoxicating aroma and a visual feast of bubbling fruit peeking through a perfectly browned topping. It’s crucial, however, to resist the urge to dig in immediately. Like pies and other fruit-based desserts, a crumble needs a few minutes to cool and set. This brief resting period allows the piping hot fruit juices to settle and thicken slightly, preventing a soupy mess when served and ensuring each spoonful holds its delicious form. Allow it to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
While this Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble is undeniably delicious on its own, it truly shines when paired with a generous scoop of cold, creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The contrast of warm and cold, sweet and tart, soft and crunchy, creates an unforgettable dessert experience that will leave everyone craving more.
Can I Substitute Fresh Peaches with Canned Peaches?
While fresh peaches are highly recommended for their superior flavor and texture, especially when they are in season, you absolutely can use canned peaches as a convenient alternative. Keep in mind that the flavor profile will be slightly different, often a bit sweeter and less nuanced than fresh fruit. If opting for canned peaches, it’s crucial to choose those packed in 100% juice, not heavy syrup, to avoid an overly sweet or artificial taste.
Before incorporating them into your crumble, drain the canned peaches thoroughly and give them a quick, light rinse under cold water. This helps remove any excess syrup and reduces the overall sweetness, allowing the other flavors to shine. Pat them dry gently to prevent excess moisture in your filling, which could make your crumble watery. Adjust the amount of added sugar in the filling slightly if you find the canned peaches still retain significant sweetness.
Freezing and Storing Your Peach Crumble
One of the many advantages of a fruit crumble is its freezer-friendliness, allowing you to enjoy this delicious dessert long after peach and cherry season has passed. You can store a fully baked and cooled crumble in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then warm it in a 350˚F (175˚C) oven for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until it’s heated through and bubbling around the edges. Covering it loosely with foil during reheating can prevent the topping from over-browning.
Alternatively, you can prepare the crumble for freezing before it’s baked. Assemble the fruit filling in your baking dish, then prepare the crumble topping in a separate bowl. Freeze both components separately. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the fruit filling completely, then sprinkle the frozen crumble topping over it (no need to thaw the topping separately). Bake as directed, perhaps adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since the topping starts out cold. This method ensures a fresh, crispy topping every time you bake it, tasting just as good as if it were made from scratch.
Craving More Peach-Inspired Desserts?
If you’re anything like me, once peach season hits, you can’t get enough of these fuzzy, sweet fruits! Here are some other fantastic peach dessert recipes to keep your summer sweet:
Peach Plum Cobbler
Raspberry Peach Prosecco Popsicles
Blackberry Peach Shortcake Stacks
Peach and Blueberry Galette
Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble
equipment
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Wooden Spoon & Scraper
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
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Stoneware Baking Dish
ingredients
- 2 cups bing cherries pitted
- 2 peaches thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp bourbon
- 1 Tbsp flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter cut into small cubes
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup loosely packed light brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C).
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In a medium bowl, combine the pitted cherries and thinly sliced peaches. Add the light brown sugar, bourbon, flour, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste. Toss gently to ensure the fruit is evenly coated with the mixture.
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Transfer the prepared fruit filling into a 2 1/2 quart baking dish (or a 9×9-inch baking dish). Spread it out into an even layer and distribute the small cubes of butter over the top of the fruit.
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In a separate medium bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and salt for the crumble topping. Add the softened unsalted butter. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the ingredients, pinching any larger pieces of butter with your fingers to break them up. Continue mixing until the mixture is crumbly and has the consistency of wet sand.
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Evenly sprinkle the crumble mixture over the fruit filling in the baking dish.
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Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the fruit filling is visibly bubbling around the edges and the crumble topping has turned a beautiful golden brown.
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Allow the crumble to cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to thicken. Serve warm with a generous scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!