The Sweet Indulgence: Southern Peach Pie Recipe
Welcome to my easy Southern Peach Pie recipe, y’all! As a chef specialized in southern-style cuisine, I can tell you that nothing is more fulfilling than a juicy peach pie baked to perfection with a flaky buttery lattice crust. And let me tell you that this recipe will deliver just that!
Using fresh peaches, we will make a mouth-watering fruit filling mixed with the perfect blend of spices, cornstarch, and sugar to achieve that ideal balance between sweetness and tartness. And the best part? You only need a few ingredients and little time to make this dessert for your next family gathering or special occasion.
So come on over, grab your apron and preheat your oven because it’s time to bake a slice of soulful southern cooking with my Easy Southern Peach Pie Recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
As a southerner, I know that good southern peach pie is a staple that never goes out of style. That’s why I’m excited to share my easy southern peach pie recipe with you! Not only is it incredibly simple to make, but it’s also bursting with flavor and soulful goodness.
One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it uses fresh peaches straight from the orchard. There’s no need for canned peaches, as using fresh peaches ensures your pie will be juicy and packed with flavor. The balance of sweetness from the ripe peaches and sugar creates a perfect harmony in every bite.
The crust on this Southern Peach Pie is hard to beat. It’s baked flaky and buttery that melts in your mouth. Unlike other crusts, which can be difficult to make, this recipe only requires a few simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. It’s easy to make and tastes just like grandma used to make it!
Another great thing about this peach pie recipe is that it’s endlessly customizable. Whether you want to add frozen raspberries or experiment with different spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger – there are endless opportunities to tweak this recipe further!
Overall, there’s nothing more comforting than enjoying a slice of freshly made Southern Peach Pie with friends and family after a long day. It’s the perfect dessert for any occasion, whether you’re looking for something sweet after dinner or as an indulgent treat on its own.
So don’t hesitate and try making this recipe today! You’ll never go back to store-bought pies again once you’ve experienced the soulful goodness that comes with homemade Southern Peach Pie.
Ingredient List
Before we get started with this Easy Southern Peach Pie Recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need. Don’t worry, everything on this list is easily available at your local grocery store, and you may even have some of these ingredients in your pantry!
Pie Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces
- 4-8 tablespoons ice water
Peach Filling:
- 8 medium peaches, peeled and sliced (6 cups sliced)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- juice of half a lemon
Topping:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Once you have all of these southern-style pie ingredients gathered up, we can get started by making our homemade crust.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have your ingredients prepped and ready, it is time to start baking our Easy Southern Peach Pie. Follow these simple steps to bake a golden, sweet, and juicy pie.
Prepare the Pie Crust
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add in chilled butter and mix until it becomes crumbly.
- Gradually add cold water until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough into two pieces: one for the bottom crust and the other for the top.
- Roll out the bottom crust and place it into a deep-dish pie pan.
Make the Peach Filling
- Peel and slice ripe peaches.
- In a bowl, mix together cornstarch, sugar, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
- Add in fresh peach slices and toss them with your hands until they are coated with the mixture.
- Place the peach filling into the prepared crust.
Add the Lattice Crust
- Roll out the second pie crust and cut it into strips.
- Place half of the strips on top of the filling vertically, spacing them equal distance apart.
- Fold back every other strip halfway before adding horizontal strips across.
- Unfold strips over horizontal ones, then fold back alternate vertical strips before repeating with remaining vertical strips.
Bake Your Pie
- Brush lattice crust with milk or egg wash.
- Sprinkle sugar over lattice crust lightly if desired
- Place the assembled pie on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent potential spills.
- Bake your pie at 375°F (190°C) for around 50-60 minutes. The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Allow the pie to cool for about 30 minutes before serving with a scoop of ice cream.
There you have it, an Easy Southern Peach Pie recipe that you can easily bake at home.
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking to switch up this Southern Peach Pie Recipe with some creative tweaks? Here are some substitution and variation ideas that can alter the flavor and presentation of your pie:
– Frozen raspberries: If you love the mix of peaches and raspberries, try substituting half of the sliced peaches with frozen raspberries. The tarty taste of raspberries will complement the sweet juicy peach to create a perfect balance of flavors.
– Brown sugar: You can replace half of the granulated sugar in the filling with brown sugar for a more intense caramel-like flavor. The brown sugar will add an extra depth of sweetness that blends perfectly with peach pie.
– Cornmeal crust: For a more southern-style twist, substitute 1/4 cup flour with cornmeal in your pie crust recipe. The slight crunchiness and graininess from cornmeal will enhance the texture while giving your pie a distinct Southern charm.
– Lemon zest: Adding lemon zest to your peach filling or sprinkling it on top of the lattice crust can give your pie a tangy freshness that complements the richness of peach. The zesty aroma packed with citrusy notes brings life to even dull flavors.
– Peaches and cream: Instead of using granulated or brown sugar in your filling, mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 1/2 cup sugar with your peeled sliced peaches. This creamy combo produces a rich, silky texture that melts in your mouth.
– Cobbler crust: Swap out the traditional buttery lattice crust with crumbled cobbler crust made from old fashioned peach cobbler recipe. The result would be a juicy peach cobbler made in pie form – comfort dessert at its best.
Don’t hesitate to experiment and customize this recipe according to your taste preferences. You might come up with new variations that take Southern Peach Pie to another level!
Serving and Pairing
Serving a warm slice of Southern Peach Pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is undoubtedly the perfect way to enjoy it. This peach pie is sweet and tangy, making it a versatile dessert option for pairing with different beverages.
To balance out the sweetness of the peach pie, I recommend serving it alongside a cold glass of iced tea, freshly squeezed lemonade, or an ice-cold glass of milk. These drinks can help cut through the sweetness of the pie while complementing its flavors.
If you’re looking to elevate your serving game, try topping your Southern Peach Pie slices with a drizzle of homemade raspberry sauce. The tartness of frozen raspberries pairs well with the sweetness of the peach filling, creating a perfect yin-yang balance in your palate.
This Southern-style dessert pairs perfectly with other soul food staples like fried chicken or baked macaroni and cheese. It also makes for an excellent addition to any summer barbeque or potluck gathering.
In conclusion, serving this easy Southern Peach Pie recipe with a side of ice cream and a refreshing beverage is sure to impress anyone who takes a bite. So go ahead and serve up a slice, and watch your guests’ faces light up in delight.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you’re planning on making this easy Southern Peach Pie recipe ahead of time, you can prepare the pie crust and the peach filling separately. Once the pie crust has been made, wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to one month.
For the peach filling, you can slice and peel your peaches a day in advance, but make sure to keep them stored in an airtight container until ready to use. When you’re ready to bake, simply combine the filling ingredients together and assemble your pie.
Once baked, let the pie cool completely before slicing and storing it in an airtight container or wrapping it with plastic wrap. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to five days.
If you have leftovers or want to reheat your pie, you can easily do so by placing your desired serving size on a microwave-safe plate and microwaving for 15-20 seconds, or until warm. Alternatively, you can reheat the whole pie by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and wrapping the pie with aluminum foil before baking for 10-15 minutes, or until warm.
Keep in mind that while reheating may cause the lattice crust to lose its crispiness slightly, it will still remain deliciously buttery and a true comfort dessert that pairs perfectly with ice cream.
Tips for Perfect Results
Are you ready to make the perfect southern peach pie? Look no further- here are my top tips for ensuring that your pie turns out just right.
First, use fresh peaches if possible. While canned peaches can be used in a pinch, using fresh peaches will give your pie a juicy and sweet flavor that just can’t be beat. When selecting your peaches, look for ripe ones that have a slight give when gently squeezed.
Once you have your fresh peaches, make sure to properly prepare them. After being peeled and sliced, toss them with a tablespoon of lemon juice to add some subtle tartness to the sweet fruit filling.
To avoid a runny pie, it’s important to mix together the ingredients for the filling before pouring it into the crust. This will ensure that the cornstarch (which acts as a thickener) is evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Speaking of cornstarch- don’t substitute it for flour or other thickeners. Cornstarch will give your filling a smooth texture and won’t compete with the peach flavor like other thickeners might.
When it comes to assembling your pie, be sure to vent your top crust so that steam can escape during baking. This will prevent the filling from overflowing and making a mess in your oven.
Finally, don’t forget about presentation! A lattice crust not only looks impressive but also allows for some of the steam from the filling to escape during baking. And let’s face it- when it comes down to it, we eat with our eyes first.
Follow these tips and your easy southern peach pie will be nothing short of perfection. Enjoy!
FAQ
Now that you’ve mastered this easy southern peach pie recipe, it’s time to answer some frequently asked questions. Whether you’re a baking novice or an experienced chef, these answers will help you get the most out of this delicious pie. From substitutions to variations and storing tips, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dig in and get some answers to those burning questions.
Do you peel peaches before putting them in a pie?
When making peach pie filling, some people opt to take off the skins since they can have a slightly bitter taste and unappealing texture. However, it’s crucial to ensure the peaches are fully ripe before attempting to remove the skin. Otherwise, the skin will be stubborn and difficult to remove.
How do you keep a peach pie from being runny?
To begin, take some fresh peaches and mix them with granulated sugar and a pinch of salt in a bowl. After that, place a strainer over a saucepan. Lastly, for a pie with the perfect texture, opt for a lattice top.
What is the difference between peach pie and peach cobbler?
When it comes to making a dessert, a cobbler is considerably less complicated than a pie. Unlike a pie which requires both a top and bottom crust, a cobbler combines the dough and fruit filling during cooking. A scrumptious peach cobbler is typically served warm and topped with a serving of creamy vanilla ice cream, but it can also be enjoyed chilled.
Should you cook fruit pie filling before baking?
In general, it is not necessary to cook pie filling before baking. Since pies are usually baked for an hour or more, the fruit in the filling has enough time to cook and become edible. Additionally, the sugar in the filling will melt and cook during the baking process, creating a deliciously sweet and tender fruit filling.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this easy southern peach pie recipe is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. With the perfect combination of juicy, sweet peaches and a flaky, buttery lattice crust, this pie is the ultimate dessert for any occasion.
Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ or simply want to treat yourself after a long day, this recipe will never let you down. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and has endless opportunities for customization and variation.
So why not give it a try? With just a few basic steps and some fresh peaches, you’ll have a mouth-watering dessert that’s sure to impress. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream or enjoy it cold the next day- either way, you won’t be disappointed.
In times like these where comfort food is essential to lift our spirits, we all need a classic southern peach pie to remind us of simpler times- when the kitchen was the heart of the home, grandma’s recipe book was our Bible, and soul food was what ignited our senses. Let’s create new memories with this scrumptious pie whether we’re on our own or sharing with loved ones.
Easy Southern Peach Pie Recipe
Ingredients
PIE INGREDIENTS
- 1 pie crust (box 15 oz Pillsbury softened as directed on box.)
- 5 1/2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (8 to 9 medium up to 6 cups total)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 (12 ounce) bag whole frozen raspberries (thawed, drained and liquid reserved. Can substitute blackberries.)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- PIE DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oven to 400°F
- Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie using 9-inch glass pie pan.
- In large bowl, gently mix peaches and lemon juice to coat.
- Gently stir in all remaining pie ingredients.
- Spoon into crust-lined pan and top with second crust; seal edge and flute.
- Cut slits in several places in top crust.
- Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.
- After 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover edge of crust with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Cool at least 1 hour before serving.
- SAUCE DIRECTIONS:
- Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch.
- If necessary, add water to reserved raspberry liquid to measure 1/2 cup.
- Gradually stir liquid into sugar mixture and cook, stirring contantly, over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens.
- Gently fold in raspberries; stir in almond extract.
- Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- To serve, cut pie into wedges; place on individual dessert plates.
- Spoon sauce over pie.