Caramel Peaches are a lovely French dish to finish a meal. They are sticky with a slight heat from the cinnamon. They are slow cooked so the peaches are soft and amazingly tasty. Served as a dessert and as a snack makes this a popular dish. Also, it can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until needed.
I have always believed that dessert deserves just as much attention as any other course of a meal. After all, why spend time preparing a lovely dinner only to rush through the final part? A good dessert brings everything together, and these caramel peaches are a wonderful example of how something simple can become a little bit special.
Peaches have a natural sweetness that makes them particularly good for desserts. However, when they meet warm caramel, something quite lovely happens. The fruit softens, the sugars deepen in flavour, and the caramel creates a rich, buttery coating that makes every mouthful feel like a treat. It is the sort of dessert that looks impressive without requiring hours in the kitchen.
One of the things I particularly like about caramel peaches is the contrast in textures. The peaches become tender while still holding their shape, and the caramel adds a lovely sticky finish. Meanwhile, the natural fruit juices mingle with the caramel, creating a delicious sauce that should certainly not be left behind on the plate.
Although this dessert is lovely served warm, it is also wonderfully adaptable. A scoop of good vanilla ice cream is probably my favourite accompaniment. The cold creaminess melts gently into the warm caramel, creating a combination that is difficult to resist. However, a spoonful of thick cream or a little crème fraîche works equally well. The slight sharpness of crème fraîche is especially nice because it balances the sweetness.
There is also something rather comforting about bringing a dish of warm fruit to the table. It feels homely and welcoming, particularly after a family meal on a cooler evening. Nevertheless, caramel peaches are just as suitable for summer entertaining, when ripe peaches are at their best.
I would happily serve these at a dinner party, too. They can be prepared without making dessert time feel like another major cooking session. That leaves more time to enjoy the company around the table, which is surely what good entertaining should be about.
The cinnamon is another small detail that makes this dessert particularly enjoyable. It adds a gentle warmth without overpowering the peaches, and it gives the caramel a lovely depth of flavour. I would not be tempted to add too many other spices because the beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity.
Another advantage is that the peaches can be made ahead of time. This is always useful when planning a family gathering or having friends over for dinner. In fact, allowing the flavours to develop makes them just as enjoyable served later, either gently warmed or at room temperature.
I also think this dessert is a lovely reminder that fruit should never be considered a second-best option when it comes to puddings. With a little care and the right combination of flavours, it can be every bit as satisfying as a rich chocolate cake or a traditional pastry dessert.
For me, caramel peaches are exactly what a good pudding should be. They are comforting, full of flavour and wonderfully uncomplicated. Most importantly, they give everyone around the table a reason to look forward to the final course. After all, there is always room for a really good dessert!
Caramel Peaches
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar 250 ml
- 3 tbsp butter 45 ml
- 1/4 cup heavy cream 60 ml,
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon 2 ml
- 6 large peaches peeled, pitted and sliced,
Instructions
- Combine the brown sugar, butter, cream, and cinnamon in the slow cooker.1 cup brown sugar, 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Add the peach slices and toss to combine.6 large peaches
- Cook covered on low heat for 4 to 6 hours.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
30 comments
I added creamy ice cream to this and was totally perfect.
The peaches were gorgeous and the caramel had a lovely buttery flavour. I added a little vanilla extract and thought it worked really well.
Really nice recipe, although I found the caramel a little sweet for my taste. Next time I might add a small squeeze of lemon juice to balance the sweetness.
I thought this was going to be complicated, but it was incredibly straightforward. The results were delicious and looked lovely on the plate.
I would recommend using ripe but still slightly firm peaches so they don’t become too soft. Mine were delicious and held their shape nicely.
Made these for friends after dinner and everyone wanted the recipe. They looked simple but tasted wonderfully indulgent.
We had these after a roast dinner and they were perfect. Not too heavy and lovely with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Excellent recipe and very easy to follow. The caramel peaches were tender and full of flavour. A great alternative to an apple crumble.
The whole family enjoyed this one. Even those who normally pass on dessert cleared their bowls!
Really enjoyed this recipe. The peaches and caramel are a wonderful combination, and it made a lovely change from our usual desserts.
Such a lovely dessert. I added a few chopped walnuts before serving, and the extra texture was a nice touch.
This is a lovely recipe for when you want something sweet without spending hours in the kitchen. Definitely one to keep.
A lovely way to use up some ripe peaches. The sauce was delicious and there was not a drop left in the serving dish.
A simple dessert that tastes much more impressive than the effort involved. I will definitely be making this again.
Loved the caramel flavour. I added a little extra cinnamon, which gave the peaches a lovely warmth without overpowering their natural sweetness.
Made these for Sunday lunch and they went down a treat. The warm peaches with cold cream were absolutely delicious.
A little too sweet for me personally, but my husband absolutely loved it. I might try serving it with natural yoghurt next time.
A big hit with my family. We served the peaches with thick pouring cream, which worked perfectly with the caramel.
Made these last weekend and everybody enjoyed them. The caramel sauce was the best part and tasted wonderful spooned over the ice cream.
Very tasty and surprisingly easy to prepare. I served mine with vanilla ice cream and the family have already asked when we are having them again.
Really lovely pudding and one that I will make again. The sauce was beautifully glossy and coated the peaches perfectly.
Very good dessert. I think a little orange zest would make an interesting addition, but the recipe is delicious just as it is.
Lovely dessert and so easy to make. The caramel sauce was rich and delicious, and the peaches turned beautifully soft. We served them with vanilla ice cream and everyone enjoyed them.
Lovely flavours, but I would personally add a little chopped toasted pecan on top for some crunch. Otherwise, a very enjoyable dessert.
Really enjoyed this, although I would have liked a little more sauce. Next time I will make a slightly larger quantity of caramel because it was so good.
These were delicious. I particularly liked how the peaches softened while still keeping their shape. A lovely dessert for entertaining.
A delicious combination of fruit and caramel. I did find that my peaches cooked a little quicker than expected, so I would suggest keeping an eye on them.
A wonderful way to finish a meal. Simple ingredients, lovely flavours and just the right amount of indulgence. Definitely making these again.
I used tinned peaches because that was all I had available. They were still tasty, although I would reduce the cooking time next time.
A nice change from traditional puddings. I used slightly firmer peaches and they held together beautifully during cooking.