Peaches with cream

Peaches and Cream Recipe

Hello! Let's prepare together a dessert that is pure freshness and love in a bowl. This version is incredibly creamy, just sweet enough, and perfect for taking advantage of seasonal fruit, using a special dairy-free blend that is silky and light. It's ideal for when you want something tasty without complicating your life in the kitchen.

Preparation time

To organize ourselves better, here is the time breakdown needed for everything to turn out perfect and without rush.

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Refrigeration: 15 minutes
• Total: 30 minutes
• Servings: 10
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

The key to this dish is the quality of the fruit. Look for peaches that are ripe but firm, so they contribute their natural sweetness without falling apart in the mixture.

For the creamy base

• 8 ounces (approx. 225 g) coconut condensed milk
• 1 cup dairy-free yogurt (can be coconut, almond, or soy)
• half a cup of coconut cream or Nutpods-type substitute
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Optional)

For the fruit

• 2 pounds (approx. 900 g) fresh, ripe peaches (any variety)
• 2 tablespoons sweetener like sugar or honey (Optional, only if the fruit is not very sweet)

Substitutions: If you prefer the traditional version with dairy or cannot find the coconut ingredients, you can swap the yogurt, coconut condensed milk, and vegetable cream for sour cream, regular condensed milk, and evaporated milk respectively. Additionally, if you like desserts with cooked fruit, you could get inspiration from techniques used for peaches in syrup if fresh fruit is not in season.

Utensils we will use

We don't need sophisticated equipment for this recipe; the basics from your kitchen are enough to achieve a spectacular result.

• A large bowl or mixing bowl
• A manual whisk (or a fork if you don't have one)
• A stable cutting board
• A sharp knife (chef's or utility knife)
• A rubber spatula or large spoon for incorporating
• Plastic wrap or a lid to cover the bowl

Preparation

Follow these steps calmly. The most important thing is to treat the fruit gently so that it maintains its shape and texture within the cream.

1. Prepare the base cream

   • In the large bowl, pour the dairy-free yogurt, coconut condensed milk, and coconut cream.
   • If you decided to use vanilla extract, add it at this moment.
   • With the whisk, mix everything vigorously. We want the three liquids to integrate completely until a white, smooth, lump-free sauce is obtained.
   • Once the mixture is ready, cover the bowl and take it to the refrigerator while we work with the fruit. This helps the cream to thicken.
2. In the large bowl, pour the dairy-free yogurt, coconut condensed milk, and coconut cream.
3. If you decided to use vanilla extract, add it at this moment.
4. With the whisk, mix everything vigorously. We want the three liquids to integrate completely until a white, smooth, lump-free sauce is obtained.
5. Once the mixture is ready, cover the bowl and take it to the refrigerator while we work with the fruit. This helps the cream to thicken.

6. Cleaning and cutting the peaches

   • Wash the peaches very well under the tap with cold water, gently rubbing the skin to remove any dirt or excessive fuzz. Dry them with kitchen paper or a clean cloth.
   • Place the peach on the cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise, guiding the knife around the central pit.
   • Twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them and remove the pit with your fingers or carefully with the tip of the knife.
   • Cut each half into slices or wedges of medium thickness (approximately half a centimeter or a little more). If you prefer, you can also cut them into medium cubes, depending on how you like to feel the fruit in your mouth.
   • Gina's Tip: If you notice your peaches are a bit hard or lack sweetness, place them in a separate bowl, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey, and let them rest for 15 minutes before using them. This will make them release their natural juices.
7. Wash the peaches very well under the tap with cold water, gently rubbing the skin to remove any dirt or excessive fuzz. Dry them with kitchen paper or a clean cloth.
8. Place the peach on the cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise, guiding the knife around the central pit.
9. Twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them and remove the pit with your fingers or carefully with the tip of the knife.
10. Cut each half into slices or wedges of medium thickness (approximately half a centimeter or a little more). If you prefer, you can also cut them into medium cubes, depending on how you like to feel the fruit in your mouth.
11. Gina's Tip: If you notice your peaches are a bit hard or lack sweetness, place them in a separate bowl, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey, and let them rest for 15 minutes before using them. This will make them release their natural juices.

12. Integration and rest

    • Take the bowl with the cream out of the refrigerator.
    • Add the sliced peaches to the creamy mixture.
    • Use a spatula or spoon to fold the fruit into the cream. Make gentle movements from bottom to top so as not to break the peach slices. Make sure each piece is well covered.
    • Cover the bowl again and refrigerate for at least 15 to 30 minutes. This step is vital for the flavors to meld and for the dessert to be well chilled.
13. Take the bowl with the cream out of the refrigerator.
14. Add the sliced peaches to the creamy mixture.
15. Use a spatula or spoon to fold the fruit into the cream. Make gentle movements from bottom to top so as not to break the peach slices. Make sure each piece is well covered.
16. Cover the bowl again and refrigerate for at least 15 to 30 minutes. This step is vital for the flavors to meld and for the dessert to be well chilled.

To finish and serve

Once the resting time has passed, take the dessert out of the cold. Give it one last gentle stir in case the cream has settled at the bottom. Serve generous portions in individual bowls or glass cups to showcase the fruit's color. You can accompany it with a little granola on top if you want a crunchy touch, or simply enjoy it as is, pure and creamy. It's an ideal snack or the perfect ending to a family meal.

Nutritional Information

Here are the estimated values per serving so you have a clear reference of what we are consuming.

• Calories: 53 kcal
• Proteins: 0.7 g
• Fats: 3.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 6.2 g
• Fiber: 1 g

Note: Daily percentage values and exact figures may vary depending on the specific brands of coconut products or yogurt you choose to use at home.

5 keys to make it perfect

Sometimes the smallest details make a big difference between a good dessert and an unforgettable one. Here are my secrets.

1. Ripeness matters: Use peaches that yield slightly to finger pressure. If they are rock-hard, they won't have flavor; if they are too watery, they will turn to mush in the cream.
2. Cold, very cold: This dessert depends on temperature. Make sure that both the dairy ingredients (or their substitutes) and the fruit are cold before starting, and respect the final resting time.
3. The uniform cut: Try to make sure all slices or cubes are the same size. This is not just for aesthetics, but ensures that in each bite you have the correct proportion of cream and fruit.
4. Taste for sweetness: Before mixing the fruit with the cream, try a small piece of peach. If the fruit is very sweet, you might not need to add extra sugar. Trust your palate.
5. Do not freeze: Avoid putting this dessert in the freezer to «cool it quickly». The texture of the cream can separate and the peaches will get freezer burn, losing their pleasant texture.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

This dish of peaches with cream shines especially during the summer months, when the fruit is at its seasonal peak and the heat calls for refreshing meals. It's perfect as a dessert after a garden barbecue or as a sweet mid-afternoon snack for children. Being light and fruity, it also works wonderfully to finish heavier dinners, as it cleanses the palate without leaving you with that heavy feeling.

If you're a fan of fruit desserts but are looking for something with a pastry base, you might want to try a fresh peach pie with cream, but for everyday, our bowl recipe is the champion of speed.

Comparison table

To see why this recipe is special, here we compare it with other similar options you might find.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. I'd love to know how your peaches turned out, if you dared to try the coconut version, or if you made any creative changes. Leave your comment and share your own tricks so we can all learn together!

Culinary glossary

Here are some terms we used today to help you become an expert in your own kitchen.

• Macerate: It means letting a food (in this case, fruit) rest with sugar or liquid so that it softens and releases its natural juices.
• Segments: A cut shape similar to a moon or orange segment, ideal for round fruits like peaches.
• Integrate: Mix ingredients gently so that they combine without losing air or breaking the texture of the solid components.
• Point of ripeness: The exact moment when the fruit is ready to eat, with the perfect balance of flavor, sweetness, and texture.
• Optional: Ingredient you can omit if you don't have it or don't like it, without affecting the success of the main recipe.