Poached Peaches With Honey and Vanilla

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/26/21
Spiced poached peach
Paul Poplis / Getty Images
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Serve this peach dish with a delicious honey and peach brandy poaching liquid. You can also use peach nectar in the syrup.

Serve the poached fruit warm with ice cream and the poaching sauce or a drizzling of raspberry or blueberry sauce. 

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Ingredients

  • 6 small peaches, yellow or white, ripe but firm

  • 2 1/2 cups water

  • 1 cup orange juice

  • 1/4 cup peach brandy, or peach nectar

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

Peel the Peaches

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Fill a large bowl or pot with ice water and set aside.

  3. Bring a pot of water to a boil.

  4. Lower the peaches into the boiling water. Boil for about 10 to 20 seconds. The skin should begin to split.

  5. Remove the peaches and immediately immerse in the ice water to halt the cooking. Slip the skins off the peaches.

Prepare the Poaching Liquid

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a 4- to 6-quart saucepan, combine the water, orange juice, peach brandy or nectar, sugar, honey, and vanilla extract. Bring to a full boil.

  3. Add the peeled peaches and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and continue at a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until peaches are tender. You want the peaches soft, but still somewhat firm.

  4. Using a slotted spoon, remove peaches to a bowl to cool completely.

  5. Boil the syrup for approximately 10 minutes longer, or until reduced by about half. Cool the syrup.

  6. Serve the peaches warm in dessert bowls with the poaching syrup.

Recipe Variations

  • Nectarines are another option for this dessert, or use part plums.
  • Feel free to vary the flavor a bit with a cinnamon stick or a whole clove or two. Add the spices to the simmering mixture and taste occasionally to test for flavor.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
251 Calories
0g Fat
63g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 251
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 63g 23%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 61g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 31mg 156%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 344mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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