Grilled Peaches with Amaretto Whipped Cream

Juicy summer peaches become even sweeter and more fragrant after a few minutes on the grill. Add a spoonful of softly whipped Amaretto cream, a scattering of toasted almonds and a drizzle of honey, and you have an elegant dessert that takes hardly any effort at all.

These grilled peaches are simple enough for a casual barbecue but impressive enough to serve at a summer dinner party. The warm fruit, cool cream and subtle almond flavour make a particularly delicious combination.

A Simple Summer Dessert

When peaches are at their best, they need very little help. Grilling caramelises their natural sugars while adding a delicate smoky flavour and attractive char marks.

The Amaretto whipped cream brings richness without overpowering the fruit. Amaretto has a sweet almond-like flavour that pairs naturally with peaches, while a little vanilla adds warmth and rounds everything out.

Best of all, most of the recipe can be prepared in advance. Make the whipped cream and toast the almonds before your guests arrive, then grill the peaches shortly before serving.

Ingredients

For the Grilled Peaches

4 ripe but firm peaches
1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Neutral oil, for greasing the grill

For the Amaretto Whipped Cream

240 ml double cream or heavy whipping cream, cold
2 tablespoons icing sugar
1½ tablespoons Amaretto liqueur
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Serving

3 tablespoons flaked or sliced almonds, toasted
Honey or maple syrup, for drizzling
Fresh mint leaves, optional

How to Make Grilled Peaches with Amaretto Whipped Cream

1. Prepare the Whipped Cream

Pour the cold cream into a large mixing bowl. Add the icing sugar, Amaretto and vanilla extract.

Whip with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. The cream should hold its shape while remaining light and spoonable.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. Prepare the Peaches

Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium heat.

Cut the peaches in half by slicing around the stone. Gently twist the halves apart and remove the stones.

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Brush the mixture over the cut sides of the peaches.

3. Grill the Peaches

Lightly grease the grill grates or grill pan.

Place the peaches cut-side down on the hot grill. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes without moving them, until dark grill marks appear and the fruit begins to soften.

Turn the peaches over and grill for another 2 to 3 minutes. The peaches should be warm and tender but still firm enough to hold their shape.

4. Assemble and Serve

Arrange two warm peach halves on each serving plate.

Top with a generous spoonful of Amaretto whipped cream. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and finish with a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

Garnish with fresh mint, if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Grilled Peaches

Choose peaches that smell fragrant and give slightly when gently pressed. Very soft peaches may fall apart on the grill, while underripe peaches can remain hard and sour.

Keep the grill at medium heat. Excessively high heat can burn the sugar before the fruit has time to soften.

Do not move the peaches while the cut sides are grilling. Leaving them undisturbed helps create defined grill marks.

Make sure the cream is thoroughly chilled before whipping. A cold bowl and cold beaters can also help the cream whip more quickly.

Add the Amaretto gradually if you prefer a milder flavour. Too much liquid can make whipped cream difficult to thicken.

Can I Make This Without Alcohol?

Yes. Replace the Amaretto with ½ teaspoon almond extract and 1 tablespoon milk or cream.

Almond extract is much more concentrated than Amaretto, so use it sparingly. You can also omit the almond flavour completely and make a simple vanilla whipped cream.

Can I Make Grilled Peaches Ahead of Time?

The Amaretto whipped cream can be made up to four hours in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.

The almonds can also be toasted ahead of time and stored in an airtight container once cool.

The peaches are best grilled shortly before serving. They can sit for around 10 to 15 minutes, but their texture and temperature are best when they come straight from the grill.

What to Serve with Grilled Peaches

These peaches are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with vanilla ice cream, mascarpone or Greek yoghurt.

For extra crunch, add crushed amaretti biscuits, granola or chopped pistachios. A small piece of pound cake or almond cake also turns the peaches into a more substantial plated dessert.