Caramelized Peaches with Pecan Brittle

Fresh peaches are caramelized in a skillet with butter, maple syrup, and peach jam, creating a rich, buttery glaze. Top these skillet peaches with homemade crunchy pecan pepita brittle and serve warm with vanilla ice cream!

Skillet Peaches

For the longest time, I just couldn't bring myself to bake with peaches. It wasn't because I didn't want to or didn't know how.

I simply couldn't resist eating them fresh. There's nothing like a perfectly-ripe, sweet, and juicy peach.

This time, I was determined to do more than just snack on my peaches. I wanted to create a recipe where they were the undeniable star and these caramelized peaches hit the nail on the head. They are DELISH!

(This can also be said about my summer peach crisp!)

Key Ingredients

• Peaches - It's always best to get peak-season peaches that smell fragrant. That said, because they're cooked with maple syrup and peach jam, this recipe is also forgiving! You can use peaches that are still slightly firm, and they'll soften beautifully as they cook. I don't recommend frozen peaches.
• Unsalted butter - I use unsalted butter and add my own salt. If you only buy salted butter, that's fine too. Just omit the salt.
• Maple Syrup - Be sure to use real maple syrup! It will thicken in the skillet and make the most delicious glaze.
• Peach jam - I love to add jam to recipes for a pop of flavor. It brightens up the glaze with extra peach flavor.
• Kosher salt - A little bit of salt enhances sweetness!

For the pecan brittle

• Pepitas - You can use either raw or roasted pepitas. Raw pepitas are a great choice because they have a milder flavor and contain less salt. That said, both work well in this recipe, and I've made it with each. Both turn out delicious.
• Chopped pecans - Make sure to chop them into little pieces.
• Maple syrup - The syrup hardens in the oven and gives the nuts such a nice crunch!
• Brown sugar - For the perfect sweetness!
• Chili powder - This is optional. I love the sweet heat combo. It doesn't make them spicy, just adds a bit of warm spice.

Instructions

These candied peaches are so quick and easy to make! The pecan brittle adds a delicious crunch, but it's completely optional.

If you're short on time, simply serve the warm peaches over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert that's just as good!

How to Make the Brittle

I always start with the brittle so it can cook while I make the peaches!

• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir well. Make sure the pecans are chopped into small pieces.

• Dump the mixture onto a parchment lined sheet pan. Spread the mixture into a circle so all the nuts are touching each other but not in a pile.

• Bake for 25 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Let the brittle cool completely before you break it into pieces. This brittle tastes amazing on salads too!

How to Caramelize Peaches

• A medium skillet works perfectly for this recipe. If you're doubling the batch, use a large skillet so you have enough room for the peaches.
• Melt the butter in the hot skillet, then add the peaches.

• Cook the peaches for a minute, then add the maple syrup and peach jam.
• Continue to cook the peaches and stir the mixture until the peaches soften and the liquid thickens.

Expert Tips

• Avoid cutting the peaches too thin. if you cut them too thin, the peaches will cook too quickly and get mushy.
• Choose peaches that are perfectly ripe or slightly firm. Avoid using peaches that are already very soft or mushy, as they’ll break down too much while cooking and won’t hold their shape in the skillet.
• You can make the brittle ahead of time if you like. It's good for 2 weeks at room temperature and it tastes great on salads too!

Storage

• Store any leftover glazed peaches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• You can reheat the leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl until hot again, then top with ice cream!

Peach Recipes

• Peach Crisp with Canned Peaches
• Peach Basil Syrup