Q1: What is the absolute best way to peel a peach?

The fastest and easiest way is the "blanch and shock" method. Simply cut a small "X" on the bottom of the peach, drop it in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, and then immediately transfer it to a bowl of ice water. The skin will then peel off incredibly easily with your fingers.

Q2: Do I have to use fresh peaches, or can I use frozen or canned?

For this particular recipe, which is all about capturing the pure, nuanced flavor of the fruit, fresh, ripe, in-season peaches are highly recommended . Frozen peaches can be used in a pinch (thaw them first), but they will have a much softer texture. Canned peaches are generally not recommended as they are already very soft and are packed in a heavy syrup that would make the final dish too sweet.

Q3: What can I do with the leftover peach simple syrup?

Do not throw it out! That syrup is liquid gold. It's delicious stirred into drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or club soda. It's also fantastic for making cocktails—try it in a Prosecco for a Peach Bellini, or mix it with bourbon or iced tea for a refreshing summer drink. You can even pour it over pancakes or vanilla ice cream.

Q4: How do I know when my peaches are perfectly ripe for this recipe?

A perfect peach for this recipe should be fragrant (it should smell sweet and peachy), and it should give to gentle pressure, particularly around the stem, but it should not be mushy. Avoid rock-hard peaches, as they will not have developed their full flavor and sweetness.

Q5: The recipe yields 6 servings but the original says 4. Which is correct?

This recipe creates a very rich and creamy dessert, so smaller portions are often perfect. The total volume is about 4 cups, so we find it serves 4 larger portions or 6 smaller, more elegant portions, depending on the size of your serving dishes.

The Best & Easiest Fresh Peaches and Cream Recipe

A simple and elegant dessert that lives up to its name, ‘Peaches and Cream, Literally’. The recipe features fresh, sliced peaches that are briefly poached in a light simple syrup to soften them. The warm peaches are then removed from the syrup and combined with heavy cream. The mixture is then chilled for several hours, which allows the cream to become deeply infused with the fresh peach flavor, creating a light yet decadent treat.

Author: Evelyn
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes (includes cooling and chilling time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Simmering, Chilling
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

4 medium fresh peaches
⅓ cup white sugar, or to taste
¼ cup water
1 ½ cups heavy cream

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Instructions

Peel and slice the peaches, removing the pits. Cut the slices in half to get roughly 2 cups of peach pieces.
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the sugar and water to a boil. Continue to boil for about 3 minutes, until a syrup forms.
Stir the sliced peaches into the syrup until they are coated. Bring the syrup back to a light simmer, which should take about 1 minute.
Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into a bowl to cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooled peaches to a large bowl. Discard the simple syrup or reserve it for another use.
Pour the heavy cream over the peaches and stir to combine.
Divide the mixture among four to six serving glasses or bowls.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, until the mixture is completely chilled and the cream has absorbed the peach flavor.

Notes

The long chilling time of at least 3 hours is a crucial step for the cream to become fully infused with the peach flavor.
The simple syrup used to poach the peaches is not added to the final dessert, which keeps the dish from being overly sweet.
The recipe yield is stated as 4 servings, but the instructions suggest dividing the mixture into six bowls; adjust serving size as needed.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 450-550
Sugar: 35-45 g
Sodium: 20-30 mg
Fat: 35-42 g
Saturated Fat: 22-28 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38-48 g
Fiber: 2-3 g
Protein: 3-4 g
Cholesterol: 120-150 mg

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/fresh-peaches/