Fresh Peach Pie: A Sweet Summer Treat
Summer's bounty is at its peak, and what better way to celebrate than with a warm, juicy slice of homemade fresh peach pie? This recipe will guide you through creating a delicious dessert that's perfect for sharing with family and friends, or simply enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea. Forget those store-bought pies; this recipe guarantees a taste of summer that's truly unforgettable.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe is designed to be straightforward, using ingredients readily available in most grocery stores. Let's start with the components for the perfectly flaky crust:
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into cubes
- ½ cup ice water
Next, we’ll gather the ingredients for the sweet and succulent peach filling:
For the Peach Filling:
- 6-8 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced (about 6 cups)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Making a homemade pie might seem daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it surprisingly easy. Let’s get started!
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix!
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent shrinkage during baking.
Assembling the Pie:
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, gently combine the sliced peaches, sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Fill the crust: Pour the peach filling into the pie crust.
- Top the pie: Roll out the second disc of dough and either place it over the filling or cut it into strips for a lattice top. Crimp the edges to seal.
- Cut vents: Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
Baking the Pie:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.
Tips for the Perfect Peach Pie:
- Use ripe peaches: The riper the peaches, the sweeter and more flavorful your pie will be.
- Don't overfill: Overfilling can cause the filling to bubble over during baking.
- Let it cool: Patience is key! Allowing the pie to cool completely prevents a runny filling.
- Serve warm or cold: Enjoy your delicious peach pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or chilled for a refreshing treat.
This fresh peach pie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the sweet taste of summer with every bite! Remember to share your baking triumphs using #FreshPeachPie on social media. Happy baking!