When summer peaches are at their juiciest, there is no better way to honor them than with a simple yet elegant French-inspired dessert, Peach gratin.
I am in love with this sweet, sun-ripened fruit nestled into a creamy mascarpone base (hello, vanilla-scented custard!) and baked until golden. I have enjoyed testing this one over and over, purely for research, of course, and it never disappoints. It’s simple, elegant, and feels just fancy enough without trying too hard.
A few chopped pistachios on top to give it that touch of crunch. Serve it warm or chilled, but always with a spoon and someone you like to share with. Or not. Totally your call.
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Best of all, it requires only a handful of ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes. Whether you are hosting or just treating yourself, this fresh peach recipe reminds us that seasonal cooking does not need to be complicated to be exceptional.
I promise, this is my last fresh peaches recipe for this season.
In this Article
- Why you will love this recipe
- Ingredients needed to make this recipe
- Equipment Needed
- Step by step on how to make this delicious fresh peach recipe
- Pro Tips
- What dishes can you enjoy with this baked peach recipe?
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storing and Reheating
- Frequently Asked Questions
- If you enjoy this peach gratin recipe, you may want to try my other recipes.
- VIDEO: COOK ALONG WITH ME
- Peach Gratin
Why you will love this recipe
This fresh peach dessert is the perfect choice when you have all those peaches at the house and wonder what to do with them.
What’s not to love? Soft peaches surrounded by a warm light custard. Mouthwatering just writing those words.
It’s a perfect summer dessert for the whole family, and the little ones love it, as they enjoy having their own ramekin to eat.
Simple ingredients make it a summer preferred dessert.
Hale this recipe for an intimate dinner for two, or double it to serve for a crowd.
Ingredients needed to make this recipe
This is a short introduction. The ingredient list is also brief. It includes essential items that you may already have in your pantry. Please read the recipe for complete instructions.
Peaches – Ripe peaches or nectarines are what you are looking for in this dessert. They will soften even more during baking, giving you this amazing treat once baked.
Eggs – large eggs and at room temperature.
Mascarpone – soft Italian cheese that blends well with most desserts. Once whipped it takes on the texture of soft whipped cream.
Vanilla extract – that amazing hint of vanilla that goes well with all your baking.
Sugar – helps whip the eggs to that rich cream that is amazingly delicious and the base of this dessert.
Pistachios – add a light crunch and a layer of flavor to your gratin. As the pistachios sit with the egg mixture, they will soften slightly, making the small pieces even more enjoyable.
Unsalted butter – I always use unsalted butter in my cooking or baking to control the amount of sodium. Salted butter not only adds too much salt to your dish, but it also changes the flavor.
Equipment Needed
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Stand-alone mixer or hand mixer
Step by step on how to make this delicious fresh peach recipe
With all my recipes, please assemble all the ingredients before starting to cook and bake.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Wash, dry, and slice each peach into eight pieces. Remove the pit.
- In a bowl of a stand-alone mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until nicely frothy.
- Add the mascarpone cheese and the vanilla extract to the egg mixture, and whisk until well incorporated.
- Butter the individual ramekin molds. Add the egg mascarpone mixture up to 2/3 of the way up the ramekin.
- Drop the peach pieces into the cream and sprinkle the chopped pistachios evenly over the top. Place the ramekins in the middle of the oven.
- Bake for about 20 minutes. As not all ovens are created equal, the top must be a gorgeous golden color when it is ready.
- Let them cool off before enjoying them. The internal temperature of the peach juice can be too hot and burn you.
Pro Tips
- Keep the skin on your peaches as it keeps the flesh together during the baking process.
- This recipe is for 4 large ramekins. I used Le Creuset, as they give the perfect presentation and hold the custard when it puffs up during baking. The lids of the ramekins make for a fun surprise presentation.
- Try this dessert with other fruits throughout the year!
What dishes can you enjoy with this baked peach recipe?
From all the fruits we are blessed with, peaches are the ones that I prepare the most in the summer. I crave them and seek them out with each trip to the store or farmer’s market.
With that said, I am also known to have full dinners based on peaches. My family bares it as it is a very short season 🙂
This is one of the dinner menu that I have prepared for my family. For a starter, peach, tomato gazpacho, followed with grilled peach salad or pork chops with sweet sour sauce. And the finale this fresh peach dessert.
Variations and Substitutions
Have fun using in-season fruits to prepare this dessert all year round.
Almonds can substitute the pistachios.
Storing and Reheating
Store: If you are lucky to have leftovers, allow them to cool, cover, and refrigerate.
Reheat: Bring back to room temperature, cover loosely with aluminum foil, and place in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, 5 to 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gratin made of?
Gratin is a culinary technique that involves preparing a dish with a brown top using breadcrumbs, cheese, or eggs. The term gratin is also applied to any dish prepared in a shallow dish.
Why is it called gratin?
Gratin comes from gratter, the French word for scraping or gratin. The word gratine means crust.
What kind of cheese goes with peaches?
You can have fun with peaches and cheese, as they pair well with a wide array of creamy and sharp cheeses. Goat cheese, burrata, brie, gorgonzola, or blue cheese are amazing for a sweet and savory combination. They are perfect for all appetizer trays during peak peach season.
If you enjoy this peach gratin recipe, you may want to try my other recipes.
VIDEO: COOK ALONG WITH ME
Peach Gratin
Ingredients
- 2 peaches
- 2 large eggs
- 8 ounces mascarpone
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Wash, dry, and slice the peaches into eight pieces. Remove the pit.
- In a bowl of a stand mixer (or hand mixer) beat the eggs with the sugar until nice and frothy. Add the mascarpone and the vanilla extract and incorporate well.
- Butter the individual ramekins with butter. Add the egg mascarpone batter up to 2/3 the way up.
- Drop the peach pieces into the cream and sprinkle the chopped pistachios evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Let them cool off before enjoying them.
Notes
- Keep the skin on your peaches as it keeps the flesh together.
- This recipe is for 4 large ramekins. I used Le Creuset, as they give the perfect presentation and hold the custard when it puffs up during baking. The lids of the ramekins make for a fun surprise presentation.
- Try this dessert with other fruits throughout the year!
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
- Course: Desserts
- Cuisine: French
- Season: Summer
- Type: Affordable Gourmet, Under 45 minutes, Videos
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