Peach Dumplings Dessert

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 07/30/19
Peach Dumplings
Diana Rattray
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
334 Calories
12g Fat
56g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 334
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 28mg 9%
Sodium 470mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 56g 20%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Protein 3g
Calcium 156mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Unlike a baked peach cobbler or an assembled peach shortcake, this peach dessert is topped with lightly sweetened dumplings and then simmered on the stovetop. The concept is very similar to the way beef or chicken stew with dumplings is prepared except these dumplings are sweet. 

It's such an easy recipe, you can make it every day during peach season and probably not get tired of it.

Use fresh or thawed frozen peaches in the winter and use more or less sugar depending on the tartness of the fruit and to suit your own taste. If desired, toasted chopped pecans can be added to the dumplings for a nutty flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter (softened)
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 to 3 cups fresh peaches (or thawed frozen, sliced)
  • 1 cup flour (4 1/2 ounces all-purpose)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk (or cream, more or less)
  • Optional: cinnamon sugar made with 1 to 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon mixed with 1/2 cup white sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine 1 cup sugar, butter, and hot water. Add the sliced peaches and bring to a boil.

  2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and optional 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir in milk or cream to form a stiff dumpling-like batter.

  3. Drop large spoonfuls of batter onto the boiling fruit.

  4. Cover the pan and cook for about 20 minutes.

  5. Spoon out dumplings and fruit into individual serving bowls.

  6. If desired, sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar (store any leftovers in a covered container at room temperature) and serve with heavy cream (whipped or as is) or ice cream.

Recipe Variations

  • Instead of making this dessert in a saucepan, choose a casserole dish that can go from stovetop to tabletop for a pretty presentation.
  • Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped toasted pecans to the flour mixture for the dumplings.
  • Replace the peaches with fresh apricots, nectarines, or plums.

Other Ways to Use Fresh Peaches

If you are looking for a dumpling stuffed with fresh peaches, plums, or other fruit, Hungarians and Croatians are fond of enrobing pitted and peeled whole pieces of fruit in a sweet dough and then boiling them.

Another popular European treat is a refreshing cold fruit soup made with peaches, strawberries, cherries, or other fruits.

Of course, you can't go wrong with crumb cake, cobbler made with pastry crust, or bread pudding. Shakes and smoothies slake the thirst and good old-fashioned peach pie is always a hit.