Easy Peach Crisp
This peach crisp is a delicious dessert that combines juicy, sliced peaches with a crunchy, buttery topping. It’s a classic dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Peach season is in full swing and we love that local peaches are easy to find! This is a great chance to pick up peaches at a local market or stop by one of the many orchards around the state that offer pick-your-own peaches.
Where to Pick Peaches in Virginia
Carter Mountain Orchard
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Carter Mountain Orchard offers a wide range of peaches during the picking season. They also have beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a variety of other fruits and activities.
Chiles Peach Orchard
Location: Crozet, VA
Chiles Peach Orchard is known for its excellent peaches and family-friendly environment. They also offer a selection of homemade goods and have seasonal festivals. Keep an eye on their Instagram to see their upcoming events!
Great Country Farms
Location: Bluemont, VA Details: This farm offers a pick-your-own experience with peaches and other fruits. They have various activities for kids, a farm market, and seasonal events.
Hollin Farms
Location: Delaplane, VA
This farm offers a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for picking, including peaches. They also have scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and various family activities.
What to Serve with Peach Crisp
Peach crisp is often served warm, straight from the oven and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a scoop of ice cream. We love pairing it with a scoop of vanilla from Homestead Creamery. The ice cream pairs wonderfully with the warm peach filling and crispy topping, creating a heavenly dessert experience.
Whether enjoyed as a summer treat or a cozy fall dessert, peach crisp is a timeless and beloved dessert that celebrates the natural beauty and deliciousness of fresh peaches. Its simple yet delightful combination of flavors and textures makes it a crowd-pleasing dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
How to Pick the Best Peaches
Peaches are typically in season during the summer months from May to September, depending on the specific variety and location. The peak of peach season can vary slightly based on your geographical region.
To find the best peaches, here are a few tips:
- Visit local farmers’ markets: Farmers’ markets often offer freshly harvested, locally grown peaches that are likely to be ripe and flavorful.
- Visit a local orchard: If you have access to any of the pick-your-own farms listed above, it’s the best opportunity to select ripe peaches directly from the source!
- Check for signs of ripeness: Look for peaches that have a vibrant color, ranging from golden yellow to reddish blush, depending on the variety. The fruit should feel slightly firm but give a little when gently squeezed. Avoid peaches that are overly soft or have bruised spots.
- Smell the peach: Ripe peaches will have a sweet, fragrant aroma. If the peach has no scent, it may not be fully ripe.
Do you have to peel peaches for a crisp?
Yes, peeling the peaches ensures that there isn’t a fibrous texture from the skin. There are two easy ways to peel peaches. The first is to “blanch and shock” the skin so that it easily lifts away from the flesh. I often do this technique when peeling tomatoes. It works great for ripe peaches, too.
Alternatively for firm peaches, you can use a Y-shaped hand peeler. It’s a little messier than blanching, but it works. If you like the texture of baked peach skin, feel free to leave it on.
Can I use frozen peaches?
Yes, frozen peaches are a great substitute when not available fresh or at their peak season. What’s nice is that they’re typically pre-peeled, cutting down the prep time. Measure out 9 cups of frozen peaches and defrost them in a colander, draining any excess water before using.
How to prevent a soggy filling
Peaches are loaded with water and their ripeness can vary. Coating fresh peaches in sugar adds extra sweetness, while drawing out some of the water inside the cell walls before baking. The cornstarch also helps thicken the filling.
Easy Peach Crisp
Ingredients
- Peach Filling
- 3 ½ pounds peaches, peeled and sliced
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Crisp Topping
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Set oven rack to the center position. Preheat to 375ºF.
- Using a peeler, gently peel the peaches then cut into slices.
- In a large bowl combine sliced peaches and ⅓ cup granulated sugar. Allow peaches to sit and macerate for 30 minutes.
- Drain the liquid from the peaches into a bowl, and reserve ¼ cup of the juices.
- In a small bowl whisk together the ¼ cup of peach juice, cornstarch, lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Combine with peaches.
- Lightly butter an 8 by 8-inch baking dish. Add peach filling, spreading evenly in the pan.
- In a small bowl mix together the flour, rolled oats, pecans, brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg.
- Cut butter into small ¼-inch pieces and add to the flour mixture. Use your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients, pressing together to create large pebble-shaped pieces of crisp topping, about the size of a dime.
- Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the peaches.
- Bake until the topping is golden brown and crisp, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Wait for 30 to 60 minutes before serving. Add warm peach crisp to serving bowls and top with vanilla ice cream.
