How to Make the Perfect Peach Crumble at Home
Tender sliced peaches meet a crumbly, buttery crust for a melt-in-your-mouth finish.
How to Make the Perfect Peach Crumble
Peach crumble is a beloved summertime classic, pairing sweet, juicy peaches with a golden, buttery crumb topping. Whether you’re making the most of fresh summer produce or reaching for canned fruit, this dessert comes together quickly and delivers big on flavor. In this guide, you’ll learn how to prepare an amazing peach crumble, find out about the best ingredients to use, and get tips for serving, customizing, and storing your creation.
Why Peach Crumble is the Ultimate Summer Dessert
There’s something timeless about warm fruit desserts. Peach crumble is especially popular for several reasons:
- Peach Flavor: The natural sweetness and juiciness of peaches shine when lightly sweetened and baked.
- Crispy Topping: The contrast of soft fruit with a crisp, buttery topping is irresistible.
- Easy Prep: Even beginner bakers can confidently master this recipe—no special equipment required.
- Versatile Ingredients: Fresh, canned, or frozen peaches all work beautifully.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Easily doubled to feed a group at potlucks or family gatherings.
What is a Fruit Crumble?
A crumble consists of fruit baked beneath a streusel-like topping made from flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes oats or spices. Unlike cobbler or crisp, the crumble topping is crumbly (not biscuit-like or oat-heavy) and becomes delightfully crunchy in the oven. The result: juicy, bubbling fruit underneath, crisp and golden brown on top.
Main Ingredients in Peach Crumble
For a successful peach crumble, start with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Filling:
- Peaches: The star of the dish! Use about 4 cups (from roughly 2 lbs.) of sliced peaches. When in season, choose ripe and fragrant peaches. If they’re unavailable, high-quality canned or frozen peaches can be substituted.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the peaches and draws out their juices for a luscious filling.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a refreshing, citrussy lift and balances the peaches’ sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor and beautifully complements the peaches.
- Cinnamon or Cardamom: Offers warmth and depth. Cinnamon is classic, but cardamom provides a unique, aromatic twist.
- Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
For the Topping:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the topping, providing structure.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A blend for depth and balanced sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon or Cardamom: Echoes the flavor in the filling.
- Salted Butter (Melted): Adds richness and helps the topping become crisp in the oven.
To Serve:
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The cool, creamy contrast is a classic pairing with warm peach crumble.
Step-by-Step Peach Crumble Recipe
Ingredients
| Filling | Topping |
|---|---|
| 4 cups sliced peaches (about 2 lbs.) | 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour |
| 1/3 cup granulated sugar | 1/2 cup brown sugar |
| 2 Tbsp. lemon juice | 1/2 cup granulated sugar |
| 1 tsp. vanilla extract | 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon or cardamom |
| 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon or cardamom | 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) salted butter, melted |
| 1/4 tsp. kosher salt |
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the filling: In a medium mixing bowl, gently toss together the sliced peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon or cardamom, and salt until the fruit is evenly coated and begins to release some juices.
- Transfer the peach mixture to a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or an 8-by-8-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Make the topping: In the same bowl used for the filling, stir together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon (or cardamom). Pour in the melted butter and mix until the topping clumps and forms a crumbly texture—some large chunks are good!
- Assemble: Evenly sprinkle the topping over the peach filling in the pan.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling up at the edges.
- Cool & Serve: Let the crumble cool slightly to allow the juices to thicken. Scoop warm servings into bowls and top with generous spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Ingredient Tips & Substitutions
- Peaches: When using frozen peaches, thaw and drain them first. For canned peaches, drain well and consider reducing the sugar slightly, as canned fruit is often preserved in syrup.
- Flour: Gluten-free all-purpose flour blends can be substituted for regular flour for a gluten-free version.
- Butter: If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to the topping.
- Spices: Try ground ginger or nutmeg for a unique twist, or swap cardamom for cinnamon.
- Add-ins: A handful of chopped pecans or almonds in the topping adds a delightful crunch and flavor.
What others are reading
Serving Suggestions
- Ice Cream: Vanilla is the classic choice, but cinnamon or honey ice cream pairs beautifully, too.
- Whipped Cream: Lightly sweetened whipped cream is a lovely accompaniment if you prefer something lighter than ice cream.
- Yogurt: For a breakfast-friendly or lighter option, try serving leftovers with a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
Expert Tips for Success
- Keep the topping uneven: Large and small clusters in the topping bake up with a pleasing texture contrast—don’t overmix.
- Rest before serving: Let the crumble cool at least 15-20 minutes before serving to give the filling time to set slightly and avoid runny servings.
- Doubles beautifully: Feeding a crowd? Double the recipe and bake in a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish for easy scooping.
- Don’t skip the lemon: Even a touch of acidity wakes up the sweetness of the peaches.
Storing and Reheating Peach Crumble
- Storage: Cover leftover crumble and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm individual servings in the microwave, or reheat the entire dish at 350°F for about 15 minutes to restore some crispness to the topping.
- Freezing: Cooled peach crumble can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Possible Variations
- Berry-Peach Crumble: Add fresh blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed fruit filling.
- Oat Topping: Stir 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats into the topping for added texture.
- Nutty Crunch: Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or almonds to the topping—toast before mixing in for extra flavor.
- Gluten-Free Crumble: Substitute with your favorite gluten-free flour blend.
Peach Crumble vs. Cobbler vs. Crisp: What’s the Difference?
| Dessert | Topping | Fruit Layer |
|---|---|---|
| Crumble | Flour, sugar, butter (sometimes with nuts, but no oats) | Fresh or cooked fruit |
| Cobbler | Biscuit or cake batter, dropped or rolled | Usually cooked or macerated fruit |
| Crisp | Similar to crumble, but often includes oats | Fresh or cooked fruit |
Crumbles and crisps are very similar but differ mainly in whether oats are used in the topping. Cobblers use a thicker, biscuit-like topping for a heartier dessert experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned or frozen peaches?
Absolutely. Both canned and frozen peaches can be substituted when fresh are out of season. Drain canned peaches well and consider decreasing the sugar since they may be packed in syrup. Thaw and drain frozen peaches before using to avoid excess liquid in the filling.
Why is my crumble topping not crisp?
If the topping came out soft, it’s usually due to excess moisture in the fruit or underbaking. Be sure to bake until the topping is deeply golden and the filling is bubbling. Cooling for 15 minutes before serving also allows the topping to set up.
How can I prepare peach crumble ahead of time?
You can prepare both the filling and topping separately, refrigerate (covered) for up to a day, then assemble and bake just before serving. Alternatively, assemble the entire crumble, cover, and chill for up to 12 hours before baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe doubles well. Use a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes, checking for a bubbly filling and golden topping.
How do I choose the best peaches?
Look for peaches that are fragrant, give slightly when pressed, and have a rich color. Avoid hard, greenish, or extremely soft fruit. Peeling is optional—if you prefer a more rustic dessert, leave the skins on.
Meet the Recipe Developer
Josh Miller, Senior Food Editor at PioneerWoman.com, is passionate about making approachable, flavorful recipes from scratch. Whether revisiting classic comfort foods or experimenting with new seasonal ingredients, Josh’s recipes focus on accessible techniques and big, crowd-pleasing flavors. When not in the kitchen, he enjoys pottery, creating functional pieces for everyday use.
Beautiful Peach Crumble: Your New Go-To Dessert
This peach crumble is quick to prepare, endlessly adaptable, and delivers summery comfort with every spoonful. Serve it warm out of the oven for cozy gatherings, casual barbecues, or solo treats. Try variations with different fruits, nuts, or spices to make it your own.
References
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a40080202/peach-crumble-recipe/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a10230/peach-crisp-wit/
- https://www.razzledazzlelife.com/southern-peach-cobbler/
- https://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2010/06/recipe-pioneer-womans-peach-crisp.html
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a39863354/peach-raspberry-crisp-recipe/
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