Description
Country Peach Dumplings are a comforting and delightful dessert featuring ripe peaches wrapped in tender biscuit dough, baked in a fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg syrup. This classic Southern recipe combines juicy fruit with a lightly sweetened dough and a warm, spiced syrup, making it perfect for cozy gatherings or a sweet family treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 4 large ripe peaches, peeled and pitted
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt to combine the leavening agents and seasoning evenly throughout the dough.
- Incorporate Butter: Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the texture resembles coarse crumbs, which ensures a flaky dough.
- Add Buttermilk and Form Dough: Gradually add the buttermilk to the flour mixture, stirring gently until the dough just comes together; avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, gently roll the dough into a roughly 1/4-inch thick rectangle, which will be cut into squares to wrap the peaches.
- Cut Dough Squares: Cut the rolled dough into approximately 4-inch squares, large enough to neatly wrap around each peach.
- Assemble Dumplings: Place a peeled and pitted peach in the center of each dough square, then fold the dough over the peach, sealing it to form a neat packet.
- Prepare Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers.
- Arrange Dumplings in Syrup: Pour the warm syrup into the prepared baking dish, then place the dumplings into the syrup, spaced slightly apart to allow even cooking.
- Bake: Bake the dumplings in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the peaches are tender.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the dumplings cool for a few minutes to let the flavors settle and to safely handle.
- Serve: Serve warm, drizzled with the syrup from the baking dish. Optionally, top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
Notes
- Peeling peaches is easier if you blanch them briefly in boiling water for 30 seconds and then plunge into ice water.
- Do not overwork the dough to keep dumplings light and flaky.
- You can substitute buttermilk with milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a homemade buttermilk substitute.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the syrup.
- Leftover dumplings can be reheated gently in the oven and served with cream.
