You will love this easy-to-make 4-ingredient fresh peach compote that goes well with plain yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or just as it is when served over oatmeal or rice pudding. You can use frozen peaches for this recipe if the fresh ones are out of season.
The way the sun sets on the horizon, setting off a beautiful array of colors as it sinks below the surface, is captivating.
The same can be said for this peach compote with its sweet summer flavor that will have you reaching for seconds.
Do you love peaches? I know I do! This fruit compote is perfect for those warm summer days when you just want to sit back and enjoy a good time outside.
It is a great sweet treat for any time of the day, too! This easy fresh compote recipe is quick to make and so good that it will make your mouth water.
And yes, you can make this delicious dessert for your family and friends not heating the house with an oven. Isn't it what you want during hot summer days?
What is compote?
Compote is a fruity dessert typically made out of fresh or canned fruits. It usually contains sugar and water or other ingredients such as wine and spices.
Unsweetened fruit compote is one of the first foods given to babies, but it is enjoyed at any age. It is prevalent during the summer when seasonal fruits are abundant.
Why you should try this recipe
- This simple fruit compote is a beautiful and economical dessert.
- It is a great way to serve for special occasions or to finish a family dinner.
- The recipe is easy and quick to prepare.
- It is a light, fruity, and tasty summer treat loved by kids and adults.
- Making peach compote is a perfect way to use seasonal peaches.
Ingredients
For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.
- Peaches: use yellow-fleshed ripe peaches or replace them with white peaches. You can purchase them at a farmers market or your favorite grocery store. If fresh stone fruits are out of season, use frozen or canned peaches.
- Brown sugar: use golden brown sugar or replace it with light brown muscovado sugar or granulated white sugar.
- Butter: use salted butter to make this recipe.
- Ground cinnamon spices up this recipe. To experiment, replace it with ground ginger.
How to make peach compote
To peel peaches, boil them in a large pot of water for 30 seconds, remove them, and place them in a large bowl with an ice bath (aka ice water bath).
Peel the peaches by gently rubbing the skin with your hands or using a small paring knife (photo 1).
Cut them in half, then quarters by pitting them. Then cut the quarters into large cubes (photo 2).
To make the compote, in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, place brown sugar and butter.
Heat over medium-low heat to obtain a caramel: shake the pan over your stove without using utensils.
Add the sliced peaches and ground cinnamon, and mix with a wooden spoon (photo 3).
Cook the mixture of fruit for 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat, occasionally stirring until all the peach pieces are cooked but still a bit firm (photo 4). Transfer hot compote to a bowl and let cool.
Spoon peach compote into a dessert bowl and serve it at room temperature, plain or sprinkled with pieces of almond nougatine.
Expert Tips
- Peel peaches with a vegetable peeler or leave peaches unpeeled if desired.
- In the case of underripe peaches, cook them a bit longer.
Recipe variations
Peach lovers alert! This fresh fruit is the best way to experience the sweetness that only summertime can bring because it is so juicy when ripe.
- Let the peach mixture simmer a bit longer until the peaches break down and become soft and smooth. Then use a potato masher to puree the cooked fruit into a creamy texture instead of chunkier pieces.
- If one flavor isn't enough for your taste buds, try to experiment with other spices. Replace ground cinnamon with the ground or fresh ginger, star anise, and a couple of cardamom seeds, or cook the peach compote with a cinnamon stick, a strip of orange peel, or a stick of licorice.
- To make your taste buds even dance, add half of a teaspoon of vanilla extract, bourbon, rum, maple syrup, or a splash of lemon juice.
- Finally, for the best results, add a pinch or even a dash of salt to enhance all the flavors of your compote.
How to serve peach compote
You will enjoy your breakfast even more with a side of peach compote.
- Add more flavor layers by serving it with your overnight oats, homemade yogurt, granola, rice pudding, farmer's cheese, or pudding made with chia seeds.
- It is perfect for pairing alongside Dutch Baby or top pancakes, crepes, French toast, or vanilla bean ice cream.
- Serve it up alongside your pork roast to give it a sweet and slightly tangy accent.
- With peaches' sweet and refreshing fruit flavor, this compote makes the perfect accompaniment to any brunch.
- To finish a decadent dinner, offer this dessert sprinkled with almond nougatine and accompanied by a glass of sweet white wine.
Storing and freezing
You can keep peach compote in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container or a mason jar. Reheat it in the microwave just before serving.
To keep your compote for longer, freeze it in a plastic container when it is completely cooled.
Recipe FAQ
There is no significant difference between peach compote and peach sauce. Both are made with fruit, seasoned with sugar, and thickened by boiling down the juice of the fruits. They both can also be made unsweetened. But the compote tends to be thicker and chunkier, while the peach sauce is made of dipping consistency.
Yes, it is naturally gluten-free. This compote is cooked without adding any thickening agent.
Peach compote thickens as it cools down. If you want to make it thicker, you can add a mixture of ½ teaspoon of cold water and the same amount of cornstarch to the almost ready fruit compote. Then, let it cook for a couple of minutes longer.
Yes, you can use frozen peaches if fresh peaches are out of season. There is no need to thaw them. But, please, take into consideration that the cooking time will be a little longer.
Compote is made of fruit and sugar cooked in a saucepan, often with some added water. Jam is a sweet spread composed primarily of fruits and sugar boiled to the point that it will retain its thickness. Compote can be used only for topping, but jam can also be eaten on toast or crackers since it is thicker. Compote must be consumed soon after it is made, while jam can be stored for up to six to twelve months.
Love peach desserts? Try these next!
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PrintRecipe card
Easy Peach Compote
You will love this easy-to-make fresh peach compote that goes well as an excellent addition to yogurt, ice cream, or just as it is when served over oatmeal or rice pudding. You can use frozen peaches for this recipe if the fresh ones are out of season.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Gluten-free Desserts
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 24.5 oz. (700 g) peaches
- 1 ½ tablespoon (20 g) salted butter
- 3 tablespoons (35 g) brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* If needed, please refer to Baking Conversion Charts.
Instructions
- To peel peaches, boil peaches for 30 seconds, remove and place them in an ice-water bath. Peel the peaches by gently rubbing the skin. Cut them in half, then quarters by pitting them. Then cut the quarters into large cubes.
- To make the peach compote, in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, place brown sugar and butter. Heat over medium heat to obtain a caramel: sake the pan over your stove without using utensils. Add the sliced peaches and ground cinnamon, and mix with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat, occasionally stirring until all the peach pieces are cooked but still a bit firm. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
- Serve the compote at room temperature plain or sprinkled with pieces of almond nougatine.
Notes
- Leave peaches unpeeled if desired.
- Make this compote in advance and store it covered (use a mason jar or a food-safe storage container) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat it in the microwave just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 small bowl
- Calories: 173
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 31 mg
- Fat: 4.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 33.2 g
- Fiber: 4.1 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 11 mg
The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.
The recipe was originally published on July 08, 2021. It has been revised to include improved content and photos. All posted pictures are mine.
Heather says
I've been wondering what to make with this summer's bounty of peaches, and this recipe sounds perfect. I want to eat this peachy goodness on EVERYTHING! Thank you for all of the delicious suggestions 🙂
Irina says
Tiy are very welcome, Heather! Please, enjoy the recipe. 🙂
Amanda Dixon says
This compote came out so good! I just made a batch of homemade ice cream, and this gave the ice cream an extra summery touch.
Irina says
It sounds great, Amanda! Please, enjoy your summer. And thanks for making the recipe.
Alejandra says
This looks so tasty!! Definitely going to try this with some breakfast crepes!!
Irina says
Sure thing, Alejandra! You will love it! Please, enjoy the recipe. 🙂
Cyndy says
I am making the recipe now to serve with homemade vanilla ice cream tomorrow! Great and easy recipe, but it will be hard to resist eating right away! I should have made a double batch 🙂
Irina says
It sounds intriguing, Cyndy! Please, enjoy your summer treat!
Michaela says
I love how easy this peach compote comes together and how versatile it is.
Irina says
Thanks, Michaela, for stopping by. Please, enjoy the recipe.:)