Description
This classic Country Peach Dumplings recipe features ripe, juicy peaches wrapped in a tender, homemade dough and baked in a sweet, spiced syrup. The result is a comforting and delicious dessert that’s perfect for showcasing fresh peaches, with warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
For the Filling
- 4 large ripe peaches, peeled and pitted
For the Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Cut in Butter: Incorporate the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs. This ensures a flaky texture.
- Add Buttermilk: Gradually stir in the buttermilk until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, gently roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, preparing it for cutting.
- Cut Dough Squares: Slice the dough into approximately 4-inch squares, each large enough to wrap a whole peach.
- Assemble Dumplings: Place each peeled and pitted peach in the center of a dough square, then fold the dough over the peach to form a neat, secure packet.
- Prepare Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Arrange Dumplings in Syrup: Pour the warm syrup into the prepared baking dish, then place the wrapped dumplings into the syrup, leaving space between each to allow even cooking.
- Bake: Bake the dumplings for 30-35 minutes, or until the dough turns golden brown and the peaches cook through until tender.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the dish from the oven and let the dumplings cool for a few minutes to set the syrup slightly.
- Serve: Serve the dumplings warm, drizzled with syrup. For an extra indulgence, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Notes
- The peaches should be ripe but firm to hold their shape during baking.
- Use cold butter to create a flaky dough texture.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough to avoid toughness.
- You can substitute buttermilk with milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar if needed.
- Serve immediately for best texture, as the dough can become soggy if left too long in syrup.
