Summer desserts should be as relaxed and simple as are the lazy days. Buttermilk Peach Buckle is a one skillet dessert recipe that is a snap to make and everyone will love it. Perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Gluten-free or regular depending on the flour used.
This time of the summer is always so exciting as fresh, ripe peaches begin to roll in. We are fortunate in Colorado as peaches are a star crop of our Rocky Mountain Western Slope. I had the chance while on a trip touring Colorado’s wine country (yes there is such a thing) a few years ago to sample peaches from the same region and to say they melt in your mouth is an understatement. They truly taste like nectar of the gods!
Generally, you don’t find peaches in very high brow desserts. They are conducive to more relaxed, homey recipes such as the Buttermilk Peach Buckle dessert I’m sharing today. The effort is low on this dessert and the return high. It feels like the dessert you’d enjoy from your Grandmother’s table on a Sunday afternoon, doesn’t it?
Using peaches in a cobbler is certainly a summer mainstay however I decided to make a buckle. A buckle is close to a coffee cake with fruit and it is very common to find it made with blueberries. The fruit is layered on top of a cake batter then topped with a streusel mixture allowing the cake to envelop the fruit when baking. The streusel melts, forming a crisp, sugary top crust. It is oh-so-simple to make and would be as welcome on the breakfast table as it is to end a casual meal.
If you are like me, once you dip your toe into the Americana dessert pond, you’ll find yourself hooked on making them! These rustic, approachable desserts add a welcoming feel to the end of dinner, begging one to sit and chat for awhile rather than rushing off to complete a To Do list! And they are so simple to make.
Some other favorites of mine include Fruit Crumble in mini Mason Jars, Plum Slump, Raspberry Pandowdy, sour cream biscuits (you can even make cobbler in the slow cooker!), Rhubarb Grunt (don’t let the classic name put you off, it’s delicious) and Spicy Apple Crisp with Cranberries and Walnuts which is fantastic in the fall.
As for peaches, the recipe opportunities abound. From Peach Bellini’s (cocktails) to Olive Oil Ice Cream with Peach Ripple and several in between, I’m sure we have some recipes destined to become your new summer peach favorite recipes on Boulder Locavore!
Buttermilk Peach Buckle {gluten-free}
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (softened) plus ¼ cup (cold) unsalted Butter
- ¼ cup Shortening (I use organic vegetable shortening)
- ½ cup plus ¼ cup granulated Sugar
- 1 Egg , room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup plus 1/3 cup Flour (gluten-free blend or regular if not gluten-free)
- 1 ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/3 cup Buttermilk
- 1 ½ cup Peaches , peeled, pitted and sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg , preferably freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon Chinese Five Spice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10 inch cast iron skillet or a 9x9 baking pan.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer* cream the ¼ cup butter until soft. Add the shortening and mix to fully combine.
- Add the ½ cup sugar to the butter mixture and beat to combine.
- Add the egg to the mixture and beat to fully combine.
- In a separate mixing bowl combine the 1 ¼ cups flour, baking powder, salt; mix together thoroughly. Slowly pour into the butter mixture while running the mixer on a low speed. The mixture may be a bit dry.
- While the mixer is still running slowly pour in buttermilk and beat until fully combined.
- To make the Streusel: Cut the cold ¼ cup butter into small pieces. Combine ¼ cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, and the Chinese five spice in the bowl. Using dinner knives or a pastry blender, cut the ingredients together forming a gravely mixture.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared skillet or baking pan. Layer the peach slices on top of the batter to cover it. Sprinkle the fresh nutmeg on top of the peaches. Layer on the streusel.
- Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes until the top is a light golden brown. Allow to sit for five minutes before serving warm!
Recipe Notes
*a hand held mixer and mixing bowl can replace the standing mixer if needed
This delicious recipe was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated in 2016.
Ruby says
Such a homey recipe.
christina aliperti says
Oh yum! This looks amazing. I love a fancy dessert as much as the next girl, but there is just something special about a rustic, homey dessert.
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
I have never heard of a buckle. But it looks like its right up there with crisp, pie, compote, and all those other wonderful desserts. I love that this is in a cast iron skillet. YUM
Toni Dash says
It falls in the category of Americana desserts with a crisp, cobbler, pandowdy, slump, grunt and betty. They are all desserts using some sort of dough, fruit and a topping. A true American dessert; relaxed and summery.
Johnna says
I’ve never had peaches in a buckle. Will have to give that a try!
Nikki Wayne says
Wow, I want to try this. I love peaches and this is so nice because it is gluten free.
Rosey says
I don’t think I’ve ever had a buckle. It sure looks tasty though. 🙂
Kerri says
This recipe looks amazing! And your phots are to die for. I can’t wait to test this out.
Crystal says
I’m a sucker for coffee cake, but had never heard the term buckle before. I definitely need to make time this weekend to try this. It sounds perfect for sharing with friends and family and enjoying the day.
Toni Dash says
A buckle is actually a dessert but you are right there is a strong resemblance to what we know as coffee cake. A buckle is more of a vintage recipe or what one would think of as an Americana dessert, using fruit, dough and a type of a streusel topping.
Katherine G says
This looks so delicious! I love peaches. I’ve never had buckle before. I would totally give this a try.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This does look like a great summertime dessert.
I like peach flavor.
Meagen Brosius says
This looks delicious! I love cast iron recipes!
Toni Dash says
Me too!
Kita Bryant says
Peaches are dropping like crazy here in Georgia so this would be a perfect recipe! This looks so good.
Toni Dash says
Your peaches are divine! They would make a mighty fine Buckle if I do say so.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I am always looking for gluten free recipes to try. I will have to get the ingredients I need to try this for dessert on the weekend.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Those seasonings sound good!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
That peaches looks delicious – great photos!
Laura Funk says
This looks wonderful and the many secrets of Colorado like our little wine country. They make this peach wine that is to die for!
Amanda Love says
It looks so good and it’s a great way to enjoy all the fresh peaches that are available this summer! My family would definitely love this, especially when you a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Donna says
I’ve never heard of a buckle before. It sounds a lot like a crumble or crisp. I love peaches and can’t wait to give this a try!
Toni Dash says
There is a whole family of what I refer to as Americana desserts: cobbler, buckle, crumble, pandowdy, grunt, slump, crisps are all part of them. They each are a variation of fruit and some sort of streusel topping and dough baked. Each is wonderful in it’s own way and they are all relaxed and easy to make.