Peach Pie Recipe with Fresh Peaches: A Sweet Summer Treat
Summer is the perfect time to bake a delicious peach pie, and this recipe will guide you through making one from scratch using fresh, juicy peaches. This recipe focuses on using simple, high-quality ingredients to let the natural sweetness of the peaches shine. Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe yields one 9-inch double-crust peach pie.
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cut into cubes
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 6-8 ripe but firm peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced (about 6 cups)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Perfect Peach Pie
This recipe breaks down the process into manageable steps, making it easy even for beginner bakers.
Making the Pie Crust
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add Water Gradually: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.
Assembling the Peach Pie
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 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. Trim and crimp the edges.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced peaches with the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause the peaches to release too much liquid.
- Fill the Pie: Pour the peach filling into the pie crust. Dot the top with the small pieces of butter.
- Top Crust: 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 slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 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 Best Peach Pie
- Use ripe but firm peaches: Overripe peaches will result in a soggy pie.
- Don't overmix the filling: This will help prevent the pie from becoming watery.
- Chill the dough: This is crucial for a flaky crust.
- Let the pie cool completely: This allows the filling to set and prevents a messy slice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your warm peach pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate summer dessert. Enjoy! This recipe is perfect for sharing with friends and family, creating lasting memories around a table filled with delicious homemade pie. Remember to use high-quality ingredients for the best results!