Peach Crumble

Peach crumble is one of the best ways to make the most of sweet stone fruit. Similar to peach cobbler and peach crisp, it's a simple, comforting dessert that's delightful with a generous scoop of ice cream on top. Plus, it's easy! You can throw together this buttery crumble in less than an hour and even use frozen or canned peaches if you're in a pinch. Craving even more stone fruit? Top your dessert with homemade peach ice cream instead of classic vanilla.

What's the difference between a crumble, a cobbler, and a crisp?

These three desserts are very similar. They all feature fresh seasonal fruit, for starters. But there are some small differences. A cobbler typically includes a biscuit or batter topping with the fruit mixed in, while crumbles and crisps usually have dry, crunchy toppings. Crumbles and crisps differ in that crisps often contain nuts and oats, whereas crumble toppings are usually made just with butter, flour, and sugar.

Do I have to use fresh peaches for this dessert?

While it's hard to beat the flavor of summertime peaches, it's okay to use frozen or canned peaches in this recipe. Just be sure to drain canned peaches and thaw and drain frozen peaches. To capture the sweet-tart flavor of fresh peaches, add a little extra lemon juice and sugar if using canned or frozen fruit.

Do I need to peel peaches for peach crumble?

To peel or not to peel—that's the question! The answer is that it's totally up to you. Some folks don't mind the thin, sometimes fuzzy peels; other prefer their crumble without them. Leaving the peels on helps the fruit hold together better, plus it adds a rosy hue to this already gorgeous crumble. And of course, it's much easier to skip the peeling step.

How do you know when peach crumble is done?

The crumbly topping will be golden brown and the fruit filling will be bubbling up around the edges. Baking it for about 40 minutes at 375 degrees gets the job done!

If your oven runs hot and the topping starts to darken before the filling is cooked, place a sheet of aluminum foil over the baking dish while the crumble finishes.

Do you have to refrigerate peach crumble?

Yep, to keep peach crumble leftovers as fresh as possible, pop it in the fridge once it's cool. It'll stay fresh for up to five days, but the crunchy topping will continue to soften the longer it sits.

How to Make Peach Crumble

INGREDIENTS

• Peaches. If they're in season, choose juicy, sun-ripened fruit. Otherwise, canned or frozen peaches will also work.
• Sugar. Even the sweetest peaches need a touch of sugar to bring out their natural flavor. This recipe calls for granulated sugar in the peach mixture and a combination of granulated and brown sugar in the crispy topping.
• Lemon juice. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice perks up the filling with a refreshing punch of acidity.
• Vanilla extract. This classic flavor is a delicious match with peaches.
• Cinnamon. You can also use cardamom if you prefer. Both ground spices add a touch of warmth to the fruit filling.
• Flour. When mixed with butter and sugar, the flour in the crumble topping turns golden-brown and crisp in the oven.
• Butter. If you only have unsalted butter, add a pinch of kosher salt to the topping to round out the flavors.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Start by preparing the filling. If you're using fresh peaches, slice them into 1/4-inch thick wedges.

Add the peaches to a mixing bowl and toss them with granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon (or cardamom), and salt. The sugar will start to soften the fruit for a nice juicy filling. Transfer the peaches to a pie plate.

Next, make the topping by combining flour, brown and granulted sugars, cinnamon, and melted butter in the same bowl. You want the mixture to be crumbly and uneven, with some larger clumps in the mix.

The last step of the assembly is to sprinkle the topping over the peaches in the pie plate.

Now it's time to bake. Pop the crumble in the oven at 375°F for 40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is juicy and bubbling. Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve scoops of peach crumble with vanilla ice cream.

A full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.