Old-Fashioned Peaches and Cream Recipe
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The Best Peaches and Cream Recipe – This sweet and refreshing no-bake dessert is a classic summer treat! We add fresh lemon zest for the most delicious peaches n cream ever.
Where Did Peaches and Cream Come From?
Long before the early 2000s hip hop sensation Peaches and Cream (I’ll let you Google that one yourself, folks), there was this peaches n cream… An old-school “fancy hotel” brunch item.
The dish became popularized in the south as a simple dessert, but made its way up the coast and is now a national staple.
Although the song brings back some funny memories, I think I prefer Peaches and Cream as an edible delight over a sound bite. You decide for yourself.
Why We Love This Easy Recipe
Some peaches n cream are literally just sliced peaches with heavy cream poured over the top.
Although this is a passable option, adding just a handful of ingredients turns something good into something fabulous, yet still simple…
Our peaches and cream recipe includes an “elevated” cream made with vanilla extract and lemon zest. It’s a practically foolproof no-bake dessert that tastes bright and decadent, and is unbelievably easy to prepare!
5 Ingredients Needed
- Ripe peaches – pick perfectly soft summer peaches for their sweetness
- Lemon zest – juice the lemons to use later, you only need the zest for this recipe
- Granulated sugar – or your preferred sweetener alternative
- Heavy cream – a must for the richest and silkiest peaches with cream
- Vanilla extract – to bring together all of the sweet vibrant flavors
Plus a pinch of salt and your fave garnishes.
(Keep reading for some of our top suggestions for how to garnish peaches n cream!)
How to Make Peaches and Cream
Cut the ripe peaches into half-inch wedges. Gently peel off the fuzzy peach skins. If the peaches are ripe, the peels come off easily after cutting.
Set out a medium mixing bowl and add the peaches.
Then add lemon zest, 5 tablespoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Mix well and set to the side.
Next, pour the cold heavy cream into a second bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer with a whip attachment to lightly whip the heavy cream. It should be whipped and fluffy but still slightly pourable… Not firm like whipped cream you would pipe on top of the cake.
Set out 4 large or 6 small serving cups. These can be glass ramekins or pedestal ice cream glasses. Spoon the peaches evenly into the cups. Make sure to pour the peach juices over the top.
Get the Complete (Printable) Old-Fashioned Peaches with Cream Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Spoon the lightly whipped cream into the cups.
Tap the cups gently so that the whipped cream works down in between the peaches.
Cover each glass with plastic then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to two days.
Serving Suggestions
When ready to serve, remove the plastic and garnish the tops. Here are a few of our favorite garnishes and goodies to enjoy with this fresh peaches and cream treat:
- Lemon zest
- A sprinkling of cinnamon
- Vanilla wafers
- Granola
- Fresh mint leaves
Recipe Variations
This simple dessert recipe is versatile and can be made with all of your favorite fruits! Try turning “peaches and cream” into:
- Blueberries and Cream
- Nectarines and Cream
- Strawberries and Cream
- Raspberries and Cream
- Cherries and Cream
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make this Peaches and Cream recipe with canned peaches?
You can, but keep in mind that canned peaches tend to already be very sweet and are much softer than fresh fruit. Drain the can well and skip adding sugar directly to the peaches.
Can you make peaches and cream with frozen peaches?
Yes, you can use frozen and thawed peach slices for this recipe. I suggest you lightly pat them with a paper towel after thawing and before adding them to a bowl.
What other fruit can you make this recipe with?
Try sliced fresh nectarines and apricots for “peaches and cream” without the peaches!
How do you make Peaches with Cream with half and half?
Half and half is a bit “lighter” than heavy cream, but the taste is similar. Whip the half and half per the recipe, but note that it won’t get quite as thick and frothy as traditional heavy cream.
How long do fresh peaches with cream last in the refrigerator?
These no-bake desserts will keep well for up to 2 days in the fridge. Keep them covered with plastic wrap!
Looking for More No-Bake Desserts?
- Fluffy No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie
- Magic Chocolate Eclair Cake
- Italian Butterscotch Pudding (Budino)
- No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
- Banana Pudding Milkshake
Old-Fashioned Peaches and Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 fresh ripe peaches
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream cold
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- Optional garnishes: extra lemon zest cinnamon, vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Cut the ripe peaches into half inch wedges. Gently peel off the fuzzy peach peels.
- Set out a medium mixing bowl. Add the peaches, lemon zest, and 5 tablespoons of sugar. Add a pinch of salt and mix well. Set aside.
- Pour the cold heavy cream into a second bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use a handmixer with a whip attachment to lightly whip the heavy cream. It should be whipped and fluffy but still slightly pourable. (Not firm like whip cream you would pipe on top of the cake.)
- Set out 4 large or 6 small serving cups. These can be glass ramekins or pedestal ice cream glasses. Spoon the peaches evenly into the cups. Make sure to pour the peach juices over the top.
- Spoon the lightly whipped cream into the cups. Tap the cups gently so that the whipped cream works down in between the peaches.
- Cover each glass with plastic then refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to two days. When ready to serve, remove the plastic and garnish the tops with additional lemon zest, a sprinkling of cinnamon, or with a vanilla wafer.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This was delicious!!! Adding to my list of faves for sure.
This dish is really delicious. I followed your method and it worked.
Made this last night and it was a hit! Followed recipe exactly.
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Thoughts on sugar substitutions? Coconut sugar?
Or honey?
Hi Jasmine,
You can use any sugar substitute that can be measured in equal proportion to sugar. I personally would not use a liquid sweetener, unless highly concentrated, because it will dilute the thickness of the cream. Hope this helps!
This is one of the best cream recipes I have tried in recent times.
Good thing I have some peaches on hand!! It’s so creamy & when you get a bite from the peach, that flavor just bursts in your mouth!
wow, this dessert is decadent and amazing, thank you so much for sharing it!
It has been hot, so this no-heat dessert was perfect! The cream is delicious on its own, but paired with the peaches it is just perfection.
Oh my gosh, who doesn’t love peaches and cream? My kids were hesitant at first, but fell in love at first bite – this is definitely a great and easy summer dessert!