Perfect Peach Crumble

Peaches for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Peach salsa, peach jam, peaches with cream, peaches with ice cream, peach coffee cake.... I love peaches. You have to work fast when someone gives you a box or two, or five. I know canning peaches would be a good idea. That's what I usually do. I still have a dozen quarts of peaches left over from last year, and some in the freezer, and several jars of jam. Hmmm- brilliant idea. Maybe this year I could just make enough pies and crumble and salsa to share with friends, then I wouldn't have to can this year. Um. It's not working out that way. I feel a little like Lucy in the IL Lucy episode where she and Ethel are working in the chocolate factory - you know what I'm talking about? Instead of chocolates, it's peaches. They just keep ripening. I keep giving them away... keep peeling and cutting, baking and eating. I just can't keep up- you get the picture.

This past summer I found this recipe for Peach Crumble in Cooks Illustrated. It was just as they promised. No runny peach filling. No slimy topping from juicy peaches. Crisp and yummy. Just the right amount of spice, and a topping that was sweet, but not too sweet. I've made 6 of these in the past couple of days. Great result every time. The key is to sugar the peaches and then let them sit (macerate) to draw out the excess juices. The other essential step is to bake the crumble topping before adding to the fruit, then top and bake a second time. The process takes more time than a regular crisp or crumble, but well worth the effort.

Note to self for next year: Canning is a good idea.

Perfect Peach Crumble

Cooks Illustrated

Print Recipe

Filling
3 1/2 pounds ripe but firm peaches (6 to 7 medium), peeled and pitted;

each peach halved and cut into 3/4-inch wedges (about 6-7 cups prepared peaches)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch salt
Pinch ground cinnamon
Pinch ground nutmeg

Topping
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon (divided)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 6 pieces, softened
1/2 cup pecans

Adjust oven racks to lower and middle positions; heat oven to 350 degrees.

FOR FILLING: Gently toss peaches and sugar together in large bowl; let stand for 30 minutes, tossing several times. Drain peaches in colander set over large bowl. Whisk 1/4 cup drained peach juice, cornstarch, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in small bowl; discard excess peach juice*. Toss juice mixture with peaches and transfer to 8-inch-square or 9 inch greased pie plate.

TOPPING: While peaches are draining, combine flour, sugars (reserving 1 tablespoon granulated sugar), and salt in work bowl of food processor; drizzle vanilla over top. Pulse to combine mixture. Add butter and half of nuts; process until mixture clumps together about 30 seconds, pausing halfway through to scrape down sides of work bowl. Sprinkle remaining nuts over mixture and combine. Transfer mixture to parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into even layer. Bake on middle rack until lightly browned and firm, 18 to 22 minutes. Remove from oven and break into chunks. Set aside. You can do this early in the day or the day before and store in a sealed bag or plastic container until ready to use.

TO ASSEMBLE AND BAKE: Grasping edges of parchment paper, slide topping over peaches or scoop up by handfuls and distribute over peaches, breaking up any large pieces. Sprinkle remaining tablespoon sugar over top and place on lower oven rack. Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees and bake until well browned and fruit is bubbling around edges, 25 to 35 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream.

Tips:

-*Instead of discarding extra peach juice- pour into large glass filled with ice and about 2-3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Fill glass to top with cold water and stir for fresh peach lemonade. Drink while contemplating what to do with all of the peaches sitting on back porch.

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