Caramel Peaches
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With a surplus of juicy fresh peaches on hand from peach season, inspiration struck to transform them into a delectable treat. My latest kitchen experiment involved a recipe for caramel peaches, from a slow cooker cookbook I’d borrowed from the library some time ago – the exact title remains a mystery!
While I opted for fresh, ripe peaches, the recipe’s versatility shines through, suggesting that canned peaches would work beautifully in a pinch. For those feeling adventurous, or perhaps with an abundance of apples, the recipe even suggests them as a delicious substitution.
The slow cooker worked its magic, infusing the peaches with a rich, caramel sweetness. However, I found the resulting sauce to be a tad too fluid for my initial vision of a decadent ice cream topping. A quick attempt at thickening with a touch of cornstarch offered a slight improvement, yet I still longed for a more thicker consistency to cling lovingly to the scoops of vanilla. Despite this minor textural challenge for ice cream, I immediately recognized the sauce’s potential as a glorious companion to warm, fluffy waffles or pancakes.
The ease of preparation combined with the undeniably delicious outcome has me eager to revisit this easy dessert recipe. My next culinary adventure will undoubtedly involve some playful experimentation to thicken the caramel sauce into the perfect, spoonable thickness for an ultimate ice cream indulgence.
Ingredients for Caramel Peaches
- FRESH PEACHES OR CANNED PEACH HALVES
- LEMON JUICE
- BROWN SUGAR
- BUTTER
- WHIPPING CREAM
- GROUND CINNAMON
- VANILLA ICE CREAM (OPTIONAL)
Instructions for Caramel Peaches Recipe
Prep the Peaches: In a medium bowl, gently toss the sliced peaches with the lemon juice. This little step helps prevent browning and adds a touch of brightness to the final dish.
Create the Caramel Base: In your slow cooker, combine the brown sugar, melted butter, heavy cream, and cinnamon. Stir everything together until well combined and the mixture looks smooth.
Coat the Peaches: Add the sliced peach mixture to the slow cooker. Gently toss them with the caramel mixture until each slice is nicely coated in the sweet goodness.
Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and set it to low heat. Let it cook for 4 to 6 hours, or until the peaches are tender and bubbling in the luscious caramel sauce. The exact time will depend on the ripeness of your peaches and your slow cooker.
Serve and Enjoy! Once cooked, these warm caramel peaches are fantastic on their own, but if you’re feeling extra indulgent (and who wouldn’t?), spoon over a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream is the perfect creamy contrast.
Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce for topping ice cream, you can try removing the lid during the last hour of cooking to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Alternatively, after cooking, you can carefully whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water and cook on high for a few more minutes until thickened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add other spices?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other warm spices like a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or allspice to make your own variations. You could also add a vanilla extract towards the end of cooking for extra flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, these caramel peaches can be made ahead of time. Allow them to cool completely and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave before serving.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe, but make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the increased volume. The cooking time might need to be slightly longer.
Can I serve this with anything other than ice cream?
Absolutely! These caramel peaches are delicious over waffles, pancakes, yogurt, pound cake, biscuits, or even as a topping for oatmeal.
Do I need to peel the peaches?
Peeling the peaches is optional. The skins will soften during the slow cooking process. I personally prefer to peel them before slicing.
My peaches are very firm. Will they still work?
Yes, firmer peaches will work, but they might take a bit longer to become tender in the slow cooker. Keep an eye on them and cook until they reach your desired tenderness.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Caramel Peaches
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 6 peaches peeled and sliced, or 3 (14 oz) cans of peach halves, drained and sliced
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- ¼ cup whipping cream
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- vanilla ice cream optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss together peach slices and lemon juice.
- In a slow cooker, combine brown sugar, butter, cream, and cinnamon; mix well. Add peach slices and toss to coat with sugar mixture.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until fruit is bubbling. If desired, serve over vanilla ice cream. Serves 4 to 6.
