What Is Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches?
I still remember the afternoon I first made these baked peaches. It was a sticky July day, the kind where turning on the oven feels like a small act of bravery.
I had come home from the farmer’s market with a paper bag full of freestone peaches so fragrant they perfumed the whole kitchen. I wanted a dessert that felt like summer on a plate but wouldn’t keep me trapped indoors for an hour.
I sliced the peaches, dotted them with butter, and showered them with brown sugar and a few warm spices. Fifteen minutes later, my family was gathered around the table, spoons in hand, fishing tender fruit out of a pool of caramelized syrup and melting vanilla ice cream.
That was the moment I realized a recipe doesn’t need a long ingredient list to be memorable.
Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches are exactly what they sound like: fresh peach halves topped with a buttery brown sugar mixture seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, then baked just until the fruit is tender and the coating turns lightly golden and bubbly.
The short stint in a 375°F oven softens the peaches without turning them to mush, while the butter and sugar blend into a warm, spiced syrup that hugs each half.
The finishing touch is a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, which starts melting the second it touches the hot fruit, creating a creamy, dreamy sauce.
This dish is a natural choice when you want a warm peach dessert but don’t feel like rolling out a pie crust or assembling a cobbler.
It celebrates the fruit at its peak, using just enough sugar and spice to enhance, never mask, that sun ripened peach flavor.
And because the recipe calls for only a handful of pantry staples, it’s the kind of dessert you can pull together on a whim. If you’re a fan of easy peach treats, you might also enjoy this Old School Brown Sugar Peach Cobbler.
Jump to:
- What Is Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Recipe Tips
- Ingredients
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of peaches work best for Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches?
- How long do you bake Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches at 375°F, and how do you know they’re done?
- Do you need to peel or pit peaches before making Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches, and how do you do it?
- How should you serve and store Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches, and can you make them ahead?
- Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Last Step:
- Nutrition
- Did you make this recipe?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons these baked peaches have become a summer staple in my kitchen. Here are the ones that make me reach for this recipe again and again:
- Incredibly fast: From slicing to serving, the whole thing takes around 15 minutes. That’s faster than a trip to the ice cream shop and exactly the kind of no stress dessert I need after a long day.
- Short ingredient list: You only need six simple items (plus ice cream), most of which you probably already have in your pantry. No complicated shopping trips required.
- Perfectly flexible: The recipe scales up effortlessly for a backyard barbecue or down for a cozy dinner for two. Hosting a crowd? Just multiply the amounts and grab a larger baking sheet.
- Naturally gluten free and adaptable: As written, it’s gluten free and can be made vegan with a simple butter swap and a plant based ice cream. It suits many dietary needs without any special ingredients.
- Endless topping possibilities: Vanilla ice cream is the classic, but these warm peaches also love a drizzle of caramel sauce, a sprinkle of toasted pecans, a dollop of sweetened mascarpone, a cloud of homemade whipped cream, or a simple honey finish.
- A lighter dessert option: Each serving rings in at just 123 calories, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling weighed down.
I love that this dessert feels special enough for guests yet is so simple I can let my kids help. My youngest daughter’s official job is to sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the fruit, and she takes it very seriously.
She also insists on finishing her portion with a generous swirl of canned whipped cream, which I secretly think is just as delicious as the fancier toppings.
Ripe peaches and melting ice cream are one of those perfect summer matches. The warm spiced fruit and cold creamy topping create a temperature and texture contrast that feels indulgent without the heavy feeling of a traditional baked dessert. For another no fuss fruit idea, you could try this Easy Baked Peaches Recipe.
Recipe Tips
Over the years, I have learned a few things that really make a difference with this recipe. The single most important tip is to use the ripest peaches you can find.
Ripe peaches are key. An under ripe peach will not sweeten or soften enough in the oven, no matter how much sugar you add.
When you pick up a peach at the store or market, give it a gentle sniff near the stem end. It should smell sweet and undeniably peachy. The fruit should yield slightly when pressed, but never feel mushy.
If the peaches are rock hard, leave them on the counter for a day or two to ripen. Hard peaches will be difficult to pit and will stay disappointingly firm after baking.
I learned this the hard way during an early season batch when I tried to rush things with peaches that were more like baseballs; the final dish was edible but nowhere near as luscious.
To pit the peaches, start with a small, sharp paring knife. Cut around the fruit from stem to bottom, following the natural crease, until the knife touches the pit. Twist the two halves in opposite directions; they should come apart easily.
Use the tip of the knife to gently pry under the top and bottom of the pit, loosening it. Then you can pull the pit out with your fingers. With freestone peaches, this takes only seconds per peach.
You do not need to peel the peaches. The skin softens nicely in the oven and helps the halves hold their shape, which makes for a prettier presentation. It also contains extra vitamins and nutrients, so leaving it on is both convenient and healthful.
If you absolutely prefer peeled peaches, you can slip off the skins after pitting, but it really isn’t necessary.
I always place the peach halves cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet so the butter and sugar stay put as they melt. A shallow baking dish works too, especially for smaller batches.
Just be sure to arrange them in a single layer so they bake evenly. For an extra touch of richness, I like to brush the cut surfaces lightly with a little melted butter before sprinkling on the spice mixture, but that is entirely optional.
Keep an eye on the timer; very ripe peaches may need only 8 minutes, while slightly firmer ones might need the full 12. You want the fruit tender and lightly golden around the edges, not slumped and mushy.
Ingredients
Here is what you need to make 8 servings of Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches. Every ingredient pulls its weight, and the quantities are wonderfully straightforward.
- 4 large ripe peaches: Freestone varieties like yellow peaches are my favorite because they are easy to pit and have a classic sweet tart balance. White peaches are also wonderful and often taste a bit sweeter and more floral.
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter: Cut into small pieces so it melts evenly over the fruit. If you use salted butter, just omit the extra pinch of salt.
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work well. Dark brown sugar gives a slightly deeper molasses note that I particularly enjoy.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The warm, cozy spice that defines the flavor.
- Pinch of ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, nutty sweetness.
- Pinch of ground cloves: A little goes a long way; it brings a hint of spice without overpowering the peaches.
- Pinch of salt: It balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Vanilla ice cream for serving: Use your favorite brand. A good quality vanilla ice cream makes each bite extra creamy and dreamy.
The combination of melted butter, brown sugar, and spices creates a rich, saucy glaze during baking. It’s just enough to coat the peaches but not so much that it drowns the fruit.
If you are out of brown sugar, you could use coconut sugar or maple sugar, though the taste will be slightly different. For a dairy free version, simply swap the butter for a plant based alternative and serve with coconut milk ice cream.
The nutritional information below is an estimate based on the source data. One serving (one peach half with its topping) comes in at just 123 calories, making it a relatively light dessert that still feels like a treat.
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 123 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 65 mg |
| Cholesterol | 19 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of peaches work best for Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches?
How long do you bake Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches at 375°F, and how do you know they’re done?
Do you need to peel or pit peaches before making Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches, and how do you do it?
How should you serve and store Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches, and can you make them ahead?
Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches
What Is Cinnamon Sugar Baked Peaches? I still remember the afternoon I first made these baked peaches.
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
4 large ripe peaches
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
Pinch cloves
Pinch salt
vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
1-Preheat oven to 375 degrees: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice 4 large peaches in half and remove pits. Arrange on a large baking sheet or pan.
2-Place a small piece of butter in: Place a small piece of butter in the center of each peach.
3-Combine 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon: Combine 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, Pinch of nutmeg, Pinch of cloves and Pinch of salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over peaches.
4-Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until peaches: Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until peaches are tender and golden. Top with vanilla ice cream before serving.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Method: bake
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1g
- Calories: 123kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 19mg
