Flaky Peach Dumplings with Fresh Peaches

Southern peach dumplings made with fresh peaches and a homemade pastry are the essence of summer. The heavenly combination of ripe, juicy peaches enveloped in a tender flaky pastry and topped with a bourbon or vanilla glaze are the perfect ending to any meal. Easy to assemble with step-by-step photos.

For those occasions where you want a show-stopper peach dessert but want to branch out from peach cobbler or peach pie, then grab a few peaches from your farmer’s market or grocery store and make some flaky peach dumplings.

Not as sweet as apple dumplings that are made with crescent rolls, or recipes that use Mountain Dew in the glaze. Instead this peach dessert is mostly peaches with just a little brown sugar that is enveloped in a flaky buttery crust. It’s then topped with a buttery bourbon or vanilla glaze.

Simple ingredients make the most amazing peach dessert recipes and take very little effort. While you can use a prepared pie crust for the pastry, a buttery homemade one will be even flakier.

I’m so lucky to live within an hours drive of peach orchards in the Sandhills of North Carolina which gives me an excuse to make peach dessert recipes all summer long.

I have this favorite fruit stand on the drive to Pinehurst, where they always help me pick out the sweetest peaches during peach season. I stop in so much they recognize me.  I’m sure they think, how can this woman eat so many peaches! Here are some tips I’ve learned for picking ripe peaches.

Little do they know how much Peach Vanilla Jam and peach cobbler cake I make each summer.  Peaches just bring back so many great childhood memories. My grandparents lived in California and it was such a treat to pick and can peaches when we would visit.  Carolina peaches are different but still fabulous.

Types of Peaches for Peach Desserts

There are so many varieties that I can’t keep up with them all. Lately I’ve been enjoying Bounty, but I’ve never discovered a variety that I don’t like.  Check out this great resource to find what varieties will be ripe and when in your area so you can make the best peach desserts. For peach dumplings, it doesn’t matter what type of peaches you use as long as they’re ripe.

This peach dessert recipe really needs ripe peaches that are ready to eat. Baking them in a flaky crust is a wonderful way to show them off at their prime.  

While I love peaches baked in a Crumble  or  Coffee Cake, this method highlights the sweet flavor of the peaches themselves without all the added sugar.  I use a buttery pie crust for the pastry and put just a small amount of brown sugar, cinnamon and butter in the center of each peach.

While this is such a wonderful fresh peach dessert recipe as is, it’s even better with a powdered sugar and butter glazed laced with bourbon or vanilla.

This recipe makes 6-8 dumplings, so If you’re feeding a crowd, try making an easy peach cobbler with a crispy cake like topping that will feed 12.

Reasons to Love Peach Dumplings

• Fresh fruit makes the best desserts
• Simple but fantastic flavors
• Not overly sweet
• Flaky crust
• There’s bourbon in the sauce, just enough to make it interesting
• You don’t have to peel the peaches

Some might call these peach turnovers, but when I think of turnovers, I imagine puff pastry and not a pie crust. Since you’re using peach halves, I think they need something sturdier than puff pastry but equally good. If you’re looking for a puff pastry dessert, try my favorite cherry hand pies.

Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

Filling

• Peaches – any variety but they should be ready to eat. You don’t need to peel them. You can not use canned peaches for this recipe, they will be too soft. But you can use frozen.
• Brown sugar, Cinnamon, Butter

Glaze

• Bourbon or Vanilla- either will make a delicious glaze
• Powdered Sugar and Butter

Pastry

• Pantry items – butter, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt

Step by Step Directions for Flaky Peach Dumplings

Step 1: Make the pastry

Add cold butter to the flour mixture in a food processor and process until you still have small butter pieces, or you can use a pastry cutter. Add ice cold water and process just it comes together. Refrigerate.

Step 2: Make the filling

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and add butter pinching it together with your fingers.

Step 3: Cut the squares

Roll out the pie crust into a square and cut it into either 6 or 8 squares depending on how big your peaches are. You can use a knife or a pizza cutter works great.

Step 4: Assemble

Place a half of a peach on each square of pastry and place some of the butter mixture in the center of the peach.

Pull the corners of the dough into the center pinching it shut. Don’t worry about making them look perfect, they’re supposed to look rustic. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or longer if you need to. This cools the butter making the pastry super flaky when baked.

PRO TIP: If the dough gets too warm before you get them wrapped up, put it in the freezer for a few minutes. If you roll out your pastry onto parchment paper or plastic wrap, it’s easy to just pull it onto a flat baking sheet and put it in the freezer or refrigerator to let it chill.

Step 5: Bake

Brush with an egg wash and bake until golden brown. Bake these on a rimmed baking sheet in case the peach juices escape or in a casserole dish.

Step 6: Make the glaze

With a hand mixer beat the butter, powdered sugar and bourbon or vanilla until smooth and add a spoonful to the top of the warm dumplings.

How to Serve

We loved these slightly cooled right out of the oven topped with the glaze or you could add a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream. This easy summer dessert is also delicious without any topping. You can serve them at room temperature of if serving later, re-heat them in the oven for a few minutes.

How to Store Dumplings

These will stay fresh for about 2 days on the counter stored in an airtight container. You can refrigerate them for a few days but after that the pastry will get soggy. It is best to freeze any leftovers. If you are going to freeze them, add the glaze before you put them in the freezer. When you warm them later the glaze will melt over the top.

You can also freeze these after you have assembled them before they have been baked. Then let them thaw in the refrigerator before baking.

Frequent Questions About Peach Dumplings

Do peaches ripen off the tree?

Yes, as long as they’re not picked too green. Let them ripen on the counter. If you want to speed up the process, learn some tips for how to ripen peaches.

How do you store peaches?

Once your peaches have ripened at room temperature, then you can place them in the refrigerator where they should last about a week.

Can you freeze peaches?

Yes, but first peel them and toss them with lemon juice and a little sugar. Then place on a baking sheet until frozen. Remove and place in an airtight bag.

Can you use a prepared pie crust?

You can, but I hope you’ll try a homemade pie crust, you won’t be sorry.

More Peach Recipes You’ll Love

Other Fruit Desserts to Try

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