Brown Butter Bourbon Peach Crisp Recipe

Introduction

This Brown Butter Bourbon Peach Crisp is a delightful twist on a classic dessert. Sweet, juicy peaches are enhanced with warm spices and a splash of bourbon, topped with a rich, nutty brown butter crisp. It’s perfect for showcasing summer peaches or enjoyed any time you crave a comforting fruit dessert.

Ingredients

• 6 peaches (small to medium size)
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of allspice
• Pinch of cardamom
• Pinch of salt
• 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A drop or two of almond extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 4 tablespoons butter (for topping)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (for topping)
• 1/2 cup flour (whole wheat pastry flour recommended)
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
• Pinch of salt (for topping)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Brown the butter by cutting it into pieces and heating in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir as it melts, foams, bubbles, and crackles, then quiets down with a darkened bottom—remove immediately to avoid burning. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Dice the peaches and place them in a medium bowl. Add the spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, salt), 3 tablespoons brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon juice; stir to combine.
3. Step 3: Let the peach mixture sit for about 10 minutes to develop flavors while you prepare the topping.
4. Step 4: After resting, add the bourbon and cornstarch to the peach mixture and stir everything thoroughly.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, combine browned butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, flour, oats, salt, and cinnamon. Use a fork to mix until the mixture is fully moistened and crumbly.
6. Step 6: Pour the peach filling into a baking dish large enough to keep the filling decently thick. Evenly cover the peaches with the topping mixture.
7. Step 7: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 45 minutes, until the filling bubbles around the edges and the topping turns golden brown and fragrant.
8. Step 8: Allow the crisp to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving; waiting 30 minutes helps the juices thicken and the dessert to set beautifully.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh, ripe peaches for the best flavor; if peaches are very juicy, adjust cornstarch slightly to prevent a runny filling.
• For a nutty crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the topping mixture.
• Substitute bourbon with brandy or omit for a non-alcoholic version, adding a little extra vanilla instead.
• Serving warm with vanilla ice cream makes this dessert irresistible.

Storage

Store leftover crisp covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving. The topping may lose some crispness but will still taste delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen peaches for this recipe?

Yes, frozen peaches work well, especially when fresh ones are out of season. Make sure to thaw and drain excess liquid before using to avoid a soggy crisp.

How do I know when the brown butter is ready?

The butter will melt, foam, and bubble, then the foam will subside and the milk solids will turn golden brown, releasing a nutty aroma. Remove it from heat just before it starts burning to get perfect brown butter.

Brown Butter Bourbon Peach Crisp Recipe

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4.5 from 142 reviews

This Brown Butter Bourbon Peach Crisp is a comforting and flavorful dessert that combines sweet, spiced peaches with a nutty, caramelized brown butter oat topping. The peaches are infused with warm spices, a splash of bourbon, and extracts to enhance their natural sweetness. Topped with a perfectly browned butter crisp that bakes until golden and bubbly, this crisp is an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling

• 6 small peaches, diced
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch of allspice
• Pinch of cardamom
• Pinch of salt
• 1–2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 drops almond extract
• 1–2 tablespoons bourbon

Topping

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Brown the Butter: Cut the 4 tablespoons of butter into pieces and place in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir continuously as the butter melts, foams, bubbles, crackles, and finally quiets down with a dark bottom. Remove from heat immediately before it burns. Set aside to cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Peach Filling: Dice your peaches and place them in a medium bowl. Add the spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, salt), 3 tablespoons brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Incorporate Bourbon and Cornstarch: After the resting period, add 1-2 tablespoons of bourbon and 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the peach mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat the peaches and begin thickening the filling.
4. Make the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the browned butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, whole wheat pastry flour, old fashioned oats, pinch of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Use a fork to mix until everything is moistened and crumbly.
5. Assemble and Bake: Pour the peach filling into a baking dish large enough to hold the mixture with a decent filling thickness. Evenly cover the filling with the topping. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 45 minutes, until the filling bubbles around the edges and the topping is golden and fragrant.
6. Rest Before Serving: Remove the crisp from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes, though 30 minutes is preferable, to allow the juices to thicken and the dessert to set before serving.

Notes

• Peach size can affect the amount of filling; small peaches work well for this recipe.
• Adjust brown sugar quantity in filling to taste, especially depending on peach sweetness.
• The baking time can vary based on the thickness of the filling and topping; watch for bubbling edges and golden topping as indicators.
• Browning the butter adds deep flavor; be attentive during this step to prevent burning.
• Letting the crisp rest after baking is important for texture and flavor development.

Keywords: brown butter, bourbon, peach crisp, fruit crisp, dessert, baked topping, fall dessert, spiced peaches