Peach Melba Recipe
Peach Melba is a classic and elegant dessert featuring tender poached peaches served with a vibrant raspberry sauce and creamy vanilla ice cream. This refreshing summer treat combines the natural sweetness of ripe peaches with tangy raspberries, making it a delightful and visually appealing dessert perfect for warm weather.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
For the Poached Peaches
- 4 firm, ripe peaches
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 4 cups water
For the Raspberry Sauce
- 1/2 cup (58 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup fresh raspberries (reserved for topping)
- Score and Poach Peaches: Using a paring knife, score an X into the bottom of each peach to make peeling easier later. In a large saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and 4 cups of water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Add the peaches, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are tender. Let the peaches cool in the syrup if not serving immediately. If using right away, transfer the peaches to a cutting board with a slotted spoon and let cool slightly.
- Make Raspberry Sauce: While the peaches poach, blend the confectioners’ sugar, fresh lemon juice, and 2 cups of fresh raspberries in a blender on high speed for about 1 minute until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl, using a spatula to press the mixture through, leaving the seeds behind in the sieve. You should have about 3/4 cup of raspberry sauce.
- Prepare Peaches: Once the peaches are cool enough to handle, peel off and discard the skins. Cut each peach in half, remove and discard the pits, then slice each half into 4 wedges.
- Assemble the Dessert: Divide the peach wedges evenly into serving bowls. Add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream to each bowl. Drizzle generously with the fresh raspberry sauce and top with the remaining 1 cup of fresh raspberries for garnish and added texture.
Notes
- Choose firm, ripe peaches for best texture and flavor when poached.
- Cooling peaches in the syrup helps them stay juicy and flavorful if not serving immediately.
- For a seedless sauce, make sure to strain the raspberry puree thoroughly.
- You can prepare peach poaching in advance and refrigerate both peaches and syrup to serve chilled later.
- Vanilla bean ice cream enhances the dessert’s flavor, but any high-quality vanilla ice cream works well.
Keywords: Peach Melba, poached peaches, raspberry sauce, vanilla ice cream dessert, classic summer dessert