I love the fall. I love peaches. I love pie. So this time of year is a wonderful combination of my favorite loves. It’s also a wonderful time of year for family traditions. Most of us think only of Halloween and Thanksgiving traditions in the fall, but making a peach pie is something we enjoy doing every autumn when peaches are abundant and at their best.
Last year, my family adopted our neighbor’s peach tree. They had recently moved into their home and spacious yard that includes a huge assortment of plants, shrubs, and trees. Not peach lovers, they didn’t really want the peach tree and were thrilled when we offered to take care of it for the season, in exchange for the fruit.
My husband picks a bumper crop of peaches.
My husband diligently pruned and sprayed the branches and blossoms. Once tiny peaches appeared, our family thinned them out to allow more growing space for bigger, surviving peaches. All in all, we spent quite a bit of time taking care of this tree. And we were rewarded!! Peaches. Peaches. Peaches. Oh, how we love peaches!
Our children pitch in to help with the harvest.
Then we picked lots. Next came canning. Then freezing batches. Then more freezing because it’s by far the easier method of the two. Just follow instructions on the jar of Fresh Fruit. Boil peaches for 2-3 miinutes. and the peels slip right off. Slice. Mix in FF and put in labeled, quart-size Ziploc freezer bags.
We enjoy peaches in smoothies, cobbler, peach crisp, and as toppings on cake. And just in case you love peaches too, here’s my all-time favorite peach recipe!! It’s a tradition that we make and enjoy every fall.
Scrumptious Peach Pie
3 lbs. or 6 c. ripe, fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 c. white sugar
1/3 c. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. milk + 1 tbsp. white sugar
Pastry for 2-crust pie
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large bowl, toss peaches with lemon juice and almond extract. In small bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, and salt. Add mix to peaches and toss until well combined. Prepare pie crust. Fit into 10-inch pie plate. Poke various holes with fork tines. Pack peach mixture gently but firmly into pastry-lined plate so pie doesn’t sink as it cools. Roll out second pie crust an inch larger in diameter and place on top. Slice steam-release vents. Pinch both pastry edges together. Dip fingers in small amount of milk; pat over top crust. Top with sprinkled sugar. Place completed pie on rimmed baking sheet in middle rack of preheated oven. Bake for 55 mins. until well browned and peach filling bubbles. Remove to wire rack to cool. Prior to serving, top with premium vanilla bean ice cream. Relish the goodness!!
Not sure how to pick, peel, and prepare your fresh peaches? We’ve written a how-to and made a video to show you how it’s done. Click here to see.
Do you have a favorite peach recipe?
*I do use an affiliate link in this post. But my opinions are totally my own.
Ahh, i love also the peach and yes i have my favorite peach recipe, http://www.themomslifecycle.com/easy-peach-cheesecream-recipe/
And that’s really great to have fresh picked peach for the cake or any kind of dessert 😀
Can’t wait to try this. Perfect to bring to a party
What cold be better than fresh peaches!! That pie looks delicious, if only there was a scratch and sniff option on the computer!
Awesome recipe. Thank you for sharing.
This recipe looks simple enough for me to do even when I don’t have a lot of time. I love peaches so this is a win for sure.
I love a good peach pie! And yours look amazing! I have to try this one!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Yum! I didn’t like peaches when I was younger, but now I love them! Especially in yummy sweet dishes like this pie! This looks delicious.
Yummy! I was thinking about making a peach pie this weekend as I’ve been on a peach kick lately. Thanks for sharing!
That totally sounds amazing! I’m salivating!
This sounds scrumptious – I’m going to try your recipe!
This looks delicious! Must try asap. Thanks so much for sharing!
Is there anything better than a summer peach pie?! Sometimes I dream about them in the winter! Your recipe sounds good – I like the added nutmeg!
And the added almond extract is fantastic too.
YUM!! I need some peach pie in my life! This looks delicious!
If you lived close by, I’d invite you over for a slice. 🙂