Pin it
Warm cinnamon sugar peaches fresh out of the oven are what summer's all about. This cozy treat turns ripe fruit into a bakery-worthy sweet bite with almost no effort. I love pulling this one together whenever peaches are cheap and folks swing by for dessert or brunch.
One rushed Saturday morning, I threw this together for a pal—now she asks for it every year as soon as peach season rolls around. The kitchen fills up with the sweet cinnamon smell and everyone crowds in, hoping to snag theirs before it’s gone.
Delightful Ingredients
- Pinch of salt: livens up all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check
- Lemon juice: a tiny splash of fresh juice brightens everything up for extra pop
- Vanilla extract: brings out the floral notes in the peaches—pure vanilla is tops
- Unsalted butter: for that buttery, melt-in-your-mouth topping that ties it all together
- Ground cinnamon: fresh cinnamon makes a huge difference with the deep warm smell
- Brown sugar: a little bit brings caramel flavor to the party
- Granulated sugar: gives just enough classic sweetness and turns a bit syrupy
- Ripe peaches: look for slightly soft, super fragrant ones or they won’t turn out juicy
Simple Step-by-Step Directions
- Rest and Serve
- Take the pan out and give it about ten minutes to cool off so the fruit holds together and all that syrup thickens—dig in while it’s still nice and warm
- Caramelize the Tops
- Pull off the foil for the last five minutes so the sugar topping bubbles and gets golden brown on top
- Bake Covered
- Set the dish in the center of your oven, cover with foil, and bake for twenty-five, maybe thirty minutes—the steam helps the peaches stay juicy and soft
- Add Lemon Juice and Salt
- Drizzle lemon juice over everything then pop on a sprinkle of salt for a flavor boost
- Apply the Cinnamon Sugar
- Shower each peach half with your cinnamon sugar until every bite is coated and ready to caramelize
- Add Butter and Vanilla
- Pour melted butter and a splash of vanilla over the top so all the flavors melt together
- Mix the Cinnamon Sugar
- Stir up your cinnamon, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a little bowl so it smells amazing and looks evenly blended
- Arrange the Peaches
- Lay each peach half, cut side facing up, in your baking pan—keeping them close means all those tasty toppings stay put
- Prepare the Peaches
- Slice peaches in half, twist out the pit, and keep the skin on if you want them to stay together—or peel for a softer finish
- Preheat the Oven
- Turn your oven up to 375 Fahrenheit (190 Celsius) and let it hang out there so it's fully heated before the fruit goes in
Pin it
The smell of cinnamon and brown sugar bubbling on peaches always takes me back to my grandma’s summer kitchen. Her homemade vanilla made every pan of this feel extra special. It’s the kind of dessert you can smell coming before it even comes out of the oven.
Keeping It Fresh
Stash leftovers in a container with a tight lid and keep them in the fridge for three days tops. Warm them up in the microwave or oven when you're ready. You can even freeze the whole batch—just let it thaw and heat up gently before sharing with friends.
Swap Options
If you’re out of brown sugar, stick with just white sugar. Sub in coconut oil instead of butter if you need a dairy-free version. No flavorful peaches around? Nectarines and plums work just as well with this sweet, spiced topping.
Pin it
Serving Ideas
Drop warm peaches over Greek yogurt for an easy breakfast, or pile them onto vanilla ice cream for dessert. At brunch, scatter some granola or toasted nuts on top for a fun crunch.
Background Story
Desserts with baked fruit have been around forever, popping up in kitchens all over the globe. In the American West, especially Mormon families, used simple techniques like this to make their summer fruit last into fall. My crew ties these gooey peaches to hot Southern days and baskets of fruit waiting on the porch.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Could I swap in canned peaches instead of fresh ones?
Canned work if you don’t have fresh. Just make sure they’re well drained so the dish isn’t soupy.
- → What tastes good with baked peaches?
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or thick yogurt go great with them. Scoop them over granola for breakfast too.
- → When will my peaches be ready?
Look for soft, juicy peaches with some caramel on top if you leave them uncovered those last couple minutes.
- → Are nuts a good add-in?
Definitely! Toss on some walnuts or pecans before baking for extra crunch.
- → Is it okay to leave the skin on my peaches?
Leaving the skin gives a bit more texture but you can peel if you want it really tender. While baking, the skins get pretty soft and keep everything together.
- → What’s the best way to keep leftovers?
Pop them in a sealed container in your fridge. You can eat them cold or warm them up a little before serving.