Ina Garten’s Ultimate Peach & Blueberry Crumble: A Barefoot Contessa Dessert Classic
Imagine the vibrant flavors of sun-ripened peaches and sweet-tart blueberries, all nestled beneath a golden, buttery, and irresistibly crispy crumble topping. Now, elevate that vision with a generous scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, a celebration of summer’s bounty, brought to life by the one and only Ina Garten. Her Peach & Blueberry Crumble is more than a recipe; it’s a culinary hug, simple enough for any home baker yet elegant enough for any gathering.
Recently, when a small family gathering was on the horizon, the question of dessert naturally arose. My mind immediately drifted to something comforting yet impressive, and Ina Garten’s renowned fruit crumbles instantly came to mind. Known for her unfussy yet utterly delicious approach to cooking, Ina’s recipes rarely disappoint, and her fruit crumbles are a testament to her philosophy of simple ingredients yielding extraordinary results.
This delightful recipe originally graced the pages of her beloved cookbook, Barefoot Contessa At Home. While Ina often suggests preparing this dessert in individual custard cups or ramekins for an elegant, personal presentation, the logistics of transporting my contribution for a family gathering called for a different approach. I opted to create one magnificent, large crumble in a baking dish. And truthfully, the presentation was still quite stunning, promising ample servings of this comforting treat.
Preparing the Perfect Peach & Blueberry Crumble
The Secret to Effortless Peach Peeling
The first step in achieving a silky-smooth peach filling is mastering the art of peeling. While you can certainly skip this step, for the best texture and to avoid any textural inconsistencies, it’s highly recommended. The trick lies in a simple blanching process that makes the skins practically slide off, saving you time and preventing unnecessary waste of that precious fruit.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. This ensures your oven is at the optimal temperature when your crumble is ready to bake.
- Immerse the peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds to one minute, or until their skins begin to loosen and peel off easily. This quick blanching loosens the bond between the skin and the flesh.
- Immediately transfer them to very cold water (an ice bath works best). This stops the cooking process and further aids in loosening the skins.
Once cooled, the skins should be incredibly easy to peel by hand. This simple technique ensures you get to enjoy every bit of that sweet peach flesh without any fibrous peel getting in the way.
Crafting the Flavorful Fruit Filling
Once your peaches are peeled and sliced into thick, inviting wedges, the magic of the fruit filling truly begins. The combination of fresh lemon zest and juice brightens the natural sweetness of the peaches, while granulated sugar adds just the right touch of extra sweetness. A bit of all-purpose flour (or a gluten-free alternative) helps to thicken the juices as they cook, preventing a watery filling and ensuring a luscious texture. Gently fold in those plump blueberries – their slight tartness offers a perfect counterpoint to the sweet peaches.
- Peel the blanched peaches, slice them into thick wedges, and place them in a large bowl. Thick wedges hold their shape better during baking.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and flour. These ingredients are crucial for flavor balance and thickening.
- Toss well. Ensure all peach slices are evenly coated.
- Gently mix in the blueberries. Be careful not to crush them.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. This brief resting period helps the sugar draw out the juices from the fruit, creating a more flavorful base.
- Spoon the mixture into 6 ramekins or custard cups. This is for individual servings.
- Or spoon the mixture into a pie plate or baking dish. Ideal for a larger, family-style crumble.
Creating the Irresistible Crumble Topping
The star of any crumble is, of course, its topping – that perfect blend of buttery crispness and sweet spice. Ina’s recipe calls for a simple yet effective combination of flour, granulated sugar, rich brown sugar, a pinch of kosher salt to balance the sweetness, and warm ground cinnamon for that cozy aroma. The key to a light and crumbly texture lies in using cold, diced unsalted butter.
- For the topping, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. This method provides consistent results with minimal effort.
- Mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas. This ensures the butter is well-distributed but still in small pieces, which will create pockets of steam during baking for a flaky texture.
Alternatively, for a more hands-on approach:
- Combine ingredients in a large bowl and cut butter into mixture using a pastry cutter or pastry blender. This traditional method gives you more control over the butter size.
- Rub the mixture with your fingertips until it’s in big crumbles. Avoid overworking the dough, as the heat from your hands can melt the butter too much.
- Then sprinkle evenly over the fruit. Distribute the topping generously across your peach and blueberry mixture.
Baking to Golden Perfection & Serving Suggestions
With the fruit filling prepared and the buttery crumble topping generously distributed, it’s time for the oven to work its magic. Whether you’re baking individual ramekins or a larger pie plate, observing the visual cues of a perfectly baked crumble is key to achieving that golden, bubbly perfection.
- Place the ramekins on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. This makes for easy cleanup in case of any bubbling over.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the tops are browned & crisp and juices are bubbly. The golden-brown topping and visibly simmering fruit juices are your indicators of doneness.
- If using a pie plate, place on a lined sheet pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Larger dishes require a longer baking time for the fruit to soften and the topping to crisp.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped topping. This is where the dessert truly shines!
Ina Garten’s Peach & Blueberry Crumble is truly amazing served warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
As the warm crumble meets the cool ice cream, it begins to slowly soften, creating a luscious, creamy custard that perfectly complements the slightly tart and tender fruit. The contrast in temperatures and textures is simply divine, making each bite an unforgettable experience. This dessert is perfect for any occasion, from a casual family dinner to a more festive gathering. The inviting aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is just an added bonus!
Enjoy this delightful taste of summer, a classic recipe that proves sometimes, the simplest things are indeed the best. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, Ina Garten’s Peach & Blueberry Crumble is a rewarding and delicious project. Happy baking!
Ina Garten’s Peach & Blueberry Crumble
Adapted from Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa At Home
Ingredients
For the fruit
-
2
pounds
firm, ripe peaches
(6 to 8 peaches) -
2
teaspoons
grated lemon zest
(from 1 lemon) -
2
tablespoons
freshly squeezed lemon juice
(about 1 lemon) -
1/2
cup
granulated sugar -
1/4
cup
all-purpose flour
(* see recipe notes) -
1
cup
fresh blueberries
(1/2 pint)
For the crumble topping
-
1
cup
all-purpose flour
(* see recipe notes) -
1/3
cup
granulated sugar -
1/4
cup
light brown sugar, lightly packed -
1/2
teaspoon
kosher salt -
1/4
teaspoon
ground cinnamon -
1/4
pound
cold unsalted butter, diced
(1 stick)
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F.
-
Immerse the peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until their skins peel off easily. Place them immediately in cold water. Peel the peaches, slice them into thick wedges, and place them in a large bowl. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and flour. Toss well. Gently mix in the blueberries. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture into 6 ramekins or custard cups. Or spoon mixture into a pie plate or baking dish.
-
For the topping, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas. Alternatively, combine ingredients in a large bowl and cut butter into mixture using a pastry cutter or pastry blender. Rub the mixture with your fingertips until it’s in big crumbles, then sprinkle evenly over the fruit.
-
Place the ramekins on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the tops are browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly. If using a pie plate, bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
Recipe Notes
* For gluten-free, replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. This substitution works seamlessly for both the fruit filling and the crumble topping, making this a versatile dessert for various dietary needs.
Make-Ahead Tip: If you want to prepare these early for a party or meal, simply assemble the crumble (fruit and topping) in your chosen baking dish(es). Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store the unbaked crumble(s) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while your oven preheats, then bake as directed. This convenient step makes entertaining a breeze!
Choosing Peaches: Select firm, ripe peaches for the best flavor and texture. If your peaches are very ripe and soft, you may need to reduce the blanching time slightly to prevent them from becoming too mushy.
Berry Variations: While blueberries are a classic pairing, feel free to experiment with other berries like raspberries or blackberries, or even a mix of berries, for a delightful twist on this recipe.
More Peach Delights from Barefoot Contessa & Beyond!
If you’ve fallen in love with the sweet and juicy magic of peaches in this crumble, you’ll be thrilled to discover there’s a whole world of peach-centric desserts to explore. Peaches are incredibly versatile, lending their delicate sweetness to everything from rustic tarts to elegant stuffed halves. Here are a few more peach recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds and become new favorites:
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have personally experienced all of these products, and I recommend them because I have found them to be of superior quality.