bourbon peach crisp

August 1, 2012 | 3 comments

bourbon peach crisp a la mode

The round of summer birthday celebrations for our family kicks off late July and keeps rolling until mid-August. Last week my father in-law just had his (old man) birthday. I can say that because he actually is not over 50. Yet. Plus I am the beloved daughter (in-law, but who goes by titles) who can pretty much get away with anything. Don’t worry. My halo is still very shiny and polished and glowing since I have yet to tarnish my good standing with my favorite only in-laws, but as usual I brought dessert. Last year it was an insanely ridiculous tower of chocolate cake coated in no less than five cups of (egg-less) chocolate chip cookie dough frosting. It was epic. And almost ruined my love affair with cookie dough.

super ripe

slivering

cut up

This year he wanted apple crisp. I, of course, took ample liberties with this crisp and added vanilla beans and brown butter and brandy and doubled the crispy topping so much so that it was half apple, half crisp, half the best thing I ever ate. But let’s not get carried away. Like I did when I slew home 1 peck (about 15 pounds) of peaches on Sunday. Why so much? They were free (my parents picked a bushel from a local orchard and gave me some of their abundance because, seriously, what two people could eat a bushel of ripe peaches before they go bad? Four people, is much more probable. Ha!) Also, they were free. Ok, so that was my only reason. So get ready for a peach overload. You don’t mind, do you?

the workings of a nutmeg

topping before

crumbly topping after

First up is peach crisp. And I say this with no hesitation or exaggerated dramatic flourishes: this is probably the best crisp (only slightly edging out the vanilla bean, brown buttered brandy apple crisp) I have ever had the privilege of consuming. To say this crisp only got about 3/4 of the intended topping would be correct. We take sampling/taste testing/eating the good parts before serving to everyone else who will not appreciate it nearly as much as you the one who slaved over it and over saw it’s awesomeness, very seriously. Basically, I saved you the trouble of having to do this part yourself. The topping is utterly divine. I mean, it’s the reason we eat crisp, right?

first sprinkle

second topping

The peaches also had their fair share of glory. Their juices bubbled over the topping, gurgling and splattering caramel-colored, spiced, boozed peach nectar. Together this duo knocked our socks off and made us so thankful we had something to do during our fifth thunderstorm this week.

spoonful of peachy heaven

bourbon peach crisp

Bourbon Peach Crisp
Adapted from Guy Fieri

Serves 8

Filling:
1/4 cup light brown sugar, scooped not packed
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 pounds peaches, about 6
1 tablespoon bourbon (can be substituted for the juice of 1 lemon if desired)

Crisp Topping:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 tablespoons (1 stick + 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Crisp Topping: In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients, add in butter pieces and combine with pastry cutter until crumbly.

Filling: Fill a small sauce pan with water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Meanwhile fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Using a pairing knife, make a small X in the bottom of each peach. Place peaches (as many as will fit in one layer) in boiling water and cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Removed peaches and immediately plunge into ice water to stop prevent further cooking. Leaves peaches in ice water for about 1 minute, then removed peaches from water and peel off their skin. Their skins should slide right off. If there is a stubborn skin use your pairing knife to peel the rest off.

Cut peaches into segments (thick or thin depending on your preferences). Discard peach pits. In a large bowl, stir together sugars, flour, cinnamon and salt. Add peaches and gently toss to coat. Add bourbon and toss quickly to coat. Pour peaches into a 12 by 8-inch dish.

Top peaches with half of the crumb topping. Place baking dish on a baking sheet and place in oven. Immediately reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, then add remainder of the crumb topping. Reduce heat to 325 degrees F and bake until golden and bubbling, another 30 – 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

Conversions & Equivalents

Volume | Baking | Metric | Pan Size | Temperature | Oven | Other

1/2 teaspoon = 30 drops
1 teaspoon = 1/3 tablespoon OR 60 drops
3 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon or 1/2 fluid ounce
1/2 tablespoon = 1 1/2 teaspoons
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons or 1/2 fluid ounce
2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup or 1 fluid ounce
3 tablespoons = 1 1/2 fluid ounces
4 tablespoons = 1 1/4 cup or 2 fluid ounces
5 1/3 tablespoons = 1/3 cup or 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup or 4 fluid ounces
10 2/3 tablespoons = 2/3 cup or 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup or 6 fluid ounces
16 tablespoons = 1 cup or 8 fluid ounces or 1/2 pint
1/8 cup = 2 tablespoons or 1 fluid ounce
1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons or 2 fluid ounces
1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
3/8 cup = 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons
1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons or 4 fluid ounces
2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
5/8 cup = 1/2 cup + 2 teaspoons
3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons or 6 fluid ounces
7/8 cup = 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons
1 cup = 16 tablespoons or 1/2 pint or 8 fluid ounces
2 cups = 1 pint or 16 fluid ounces
1 pint = 2 cups or 16 fluid ounces
1 quart = 2 pints or 4 cups or 32 fluid ounces
1 gallon = 4 quarts or 8 pints or 16 cups or 128 fluid ounces
FLOUR
1 cup all-purpose flour = 5 ounces or 142 grams
1 cup cake flour = 4 ounces or 113 grams
1 cup whole wheat flour = 5 1/2 ounces or 156 grams
SUGAR
1 cup granulated white sugar = 7 ounces or 198 grams
1 cup packed brown sugar = 7 ounces or 198 grams
1 cup confectioners sugar = 4 ounces or 113 grams
COCOA POWDER
1 cup cocoa powder = 3 ounces or 85 grams
BUTTER
4 tablespoons = 1/2 stick or 1/4 cup or 2 ounces
8 tablespoons = 1 stick or 1/2 cup or 4 ounces
16 tablespoons = 2 sticks or 1 cup or 8 ounces
32 tablespoons = 4 sticks or 2 cups or 1 pound
1/4 teaspoon = 1.23 milliliters
1/2 teaspoon = 2.46 milliliters
3/4 teaspoon = 3.7 milliliters
1 teaspoon = 4.93 milliliters
1 1/4 teaspoon = 6.16 milliliters
1 1/2 teaspoon = 7.39 milliliters
1 3/4 teaspoon = 8.63 milliliters
2 teaspoon = 9.86 milliliters
1 tablespoon = 14.79 milliliters
2 tablespoons = 29.57 milliliters
1/4 cup = 59.15 milliliters
1/2 cup = 118.3 milliliters
1 cup = 236.59 milliliters
2 cups or 1 pint = 473.18 milliliters
3 cups = 709.77 milliliters
4 cups or 1 quart = 946.36 milliliters
1/4 teaspoon = 1.23 milliliters
4 quarts or 1 gallon = 3.785 liters
PAN SIZE VOLUME CAN SUBSTITUTE WITH
1 8-inch round cake pan 4 cups

1 8x4-inch loaf pan

1 9-inch round cake pan

1 9-inch pie plate

2 8-inch round cake pans 8 cups

2 8x4-inch loaf pans

1 9-inch tube pan

2 9-inch round cake pans

1 10-inch bundt pan

1 11x7-inch baking dish

1 10-inch springform pan

1 9-inch round cake pan 6 cups

1 8-inch round cake pan

1 8x4-inch loaf pan

1 11x7-inch baking dish

2 9-inch round cake pans 12 cups

2 8x4-inch loaf pans

1 9-inch tube pan

2 8-inch round cake pans

1 10-inch bundt pan

2 11x7-inch baking dish

1 10-inch springform pan

1 10-inch round cake pan 11 cups

2 8-inch round cake pan

1 9-inch tube pan

1 10-inch springform pan

2 10-inch round cake pans 22 cups

5 8-inch round cake pans

3 or 4 9-inch round cake pans

2 10-inch spring form pan

9-inch tube pan 12 cups

2 8-inch round cake pans

2 9-inch round cake pans

1 10-inch bundt pan

10-inch tube pans 16 cups

3 9-inch round cake pans

2 10-inch pie plates

4 8-inch pie plates

2 9x5-inch loaf pans

2 8-inch square baking dishes

2 9-inch square baking dishes

10-inch bundt pan 12 cups

1 9x13-inch baking dish

2 9-inch round cake pans

1 9-inch tube pan

2 11x7-inch baking dishes

1 10-inch springform pan

11x7x2-inch baking dish 6 cups

1 8-inch square baking dish

1 9-inch square baking dish

1 9-inch round cake pan

9x13x2-inch baking dish 15 cups

1 10-inch bundt pan

2 9-inch round cake pans

3 8-inch round cake pans

1 10x15-inch jellyroll pan

10x15x1-inch jellyroll pan 15 cups

1 10-inch bundt pan

2 9-inch round cake pans

2 8-inch round cake pan

1 9x13-inch baking dish

9x5-inch loaf pan 8 cups

1 10-inch pie plate pan

1 8-inch square baking dish

1 9-inch square baking dish

8x4-inch loaf pan 6 cups

1 8-inch round cake pan

1 11x7-inch baking dish

9-inch springform pan 10 cups

1 10-inch round cake pan

1 10-inch spring form pan

2 8-inch round cake pans

2 9-inch round cake pans

10-inch springform pan 12 cups

2 8x4-inch loaf pan

1 9-inch tube pan

2 9-inch round cake pans

1 10-inch bundt pan

2 11x7-inch baking dishes

2 8-inch round cake pans

8-inch square baking dish 8 cups

1 9x5-inch loaf pan

2 8-inch pie plates

9-inch square baking dish 8 cups

1 11x7-inch baking dish

1 9x5-inch loaf pan

2 8-inch pie plate

Water Freezes 32°F 0°C
  40°F 4.4°C
  50°F 10°C
  60°F 15.6°C
  70°F 21.1°C
  80°F 26.7°C
  90°F 32.2°C
  100°F 37.8°C
  110°F 43.3°C
  120°F 48.9°C
  130°F 54.4°C
  140°F 60°C
  150°F 65.6°C
  160°F 71.1°C
  170°F 76.7°C
  180°F 82.2°C
  190°F 87.8°C
  200°F 93.3°C
Water Boils 212°F 100°C
  250°F 121°C
  300°F 149°C
  350°F 177°C
  400°F 205°C
  450°F 233°C
  500°F 260°C
275°F = 140°C or Gas Mark 1
300°F = 150°C or Gas Mark 2
325°F = 165°C or Gas Mark 3
350°F = 180°C or Gas Mark 4
375°F = 190°C or Gas Mark 5
400°F = 200°C or Gas Mark 6
425°F = 220°C or Gas Mark 7
450°F = 230°C or Gas Mark 9
475°F = 240°C or Gas Mark 10

And for conversions that are not listed I found a great conversion calculator here!

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  1. Everything about this says “perfect.” I would not need a reason, excuse, or any other plausible cause to make it or eat it. :)

  2. All I can say is YUM and why can’t fresh peaches be in season for my birthday month which is December?

  3. Wow does this recipe look fantastic! Cannot wait to try this one out.

 

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