Fresh Peach Crumble

Is the bag of peaches on your kitchen counter ripening faster than you can eat them? While there are endless ways to cook and bake with the peak summer fruit (see: pie, sorbet, and pound cake), there are few recipes are simply and satisfying as a crumble.

With juicy, sliced peaches tucked underneath a sweet, crispy topping, this comforting summer dessert best served with a scoop of ice cream after a lazy dinner outdoors.

What's the Deal With Crumbles, Cobblers, and Crisps?

Ah, yes, the trifecta of summer fruit desserts! Crumbles, crisps, and cobblers are all very popular in the warm-weather months since they typically feature fresh fruit (and is there a better season for fresh fruit than summer?).

However, there are slight differences between the three:

• Crumbles (such as this one) have a streusel-like topping
• Crisps also have a streusel topping, but theirs will also typically contain oats.
• Cobblers, on the other hand, have a biscuit topping.

They're all delicious and you can't go wrong turning your summer fruit haul into any of the three.

The Difference Between Popular Fruit Desserts

Tips for Buying the Sweetest Peaches

Crumbles are most delicious with ripe, sweet fruit. Follow these tips to pick the best peaches at the market:

• Peaches are available throughout the year, but they are in season from May until October. When buying peaches, choose fruit that is not too soft and is free from cuts and bruises. Ripe peaches will have a sweet aroma and yield to gentle pressure.
• If the peaches are hard, keep them at room temperature until they ripen. You can ripen them more quickly by putting them into a paper bag, which is similar to the way you ripen bananas. 
• When the peaches are ripe, store them in the refrigerator. Bring them back to room temperature before eating to enjoy the flavor.
  

To Peel or Not to Peel?

Whether or not to peel the peaches is all a matter of personal preference. If you don't mind the skin, then leave it on and save yourself some prep time. But if you're not a fan of the additional texture it brings, we show you how to quickly remove them in the steps below.