Whisk Kid

Baking delicious things in the Mitten State

Too – {Peach Crumble}

by

I’ve been treating my feet like garbage lately, a fact which is evident by the blistered skin on my heels and the cuts on their tops.

Hours in various shoes that are various degrees of too loose, too tight, too something have taken their toll, and I’ve been paying for it dearly.


As such, I’m barefoot, this evening, with a paring knife in one hand and a peach in the other. Relieved of its skin, the juicy orb slices easily – half-awakened from a deep sleep in the freezer. It’s one of many harvested earlier this year, and was delicately plucked just prior to becoming too soft to handle. And it – along with many siblings – had been taking up far too much space in the chill chest for far too long.

And so it was time to fall – gently tossed with a hint of brown sugar, a sprinkling of salt, some vanilla seeds and some flour – into a too small cast iron pan. Thereafter to be – naturally – topped with what could – perhaps – be considered too much buttery crumb topping.

Somehow, even after a day that had felt too long since the moment I woke up, it felt relaxing to be there, on my too worn feet, in the kitchen over that pan. To be slicing, wearing thing crosshatches into the pad of my thumb with that paring knife.

And why?

Because I was creating, loosely and without a guide, for me, after too long.


This is abrupt, dear readers, but my best friend moved away last week. The day before I made this too simple dessert to bring to dinner with them because it was all I had the time and means to conjure up.

I didn’t make a fuss over it then and I don’t mean to now, but I wanted to make sure she and her boyfriend had something sweet as a sort of send off.

Sometimes I feel that I give food too much meaning, but it was comforting to dish this completely ordinary crumble out to my friends because I knew it’d make them happy even if it wasn’t extravagant or close to my best work. Our four tiny bowls made their way into the living room and our four tiny bowls left; completely emptied of their contents but garnished now with sweet thanks and kind compliments.

The crumble: too ordinary, too simple and too common; was a perfect symbol for the too relaxed, too unstructured and too enjoyable hours we’d all spent together since we met.


It was simple and comforting, just like – as mushy as it sounds – our friendship will always be.

Peach Crumble
Printable Recipe

Crumble Topping via Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented

I requested crumble recipes via Twitter last week because I’ve been unhappy with results from recipes I’ve used in the past. After a little while spent studying the recipes I received, I realized I was actually after a recipe for the top of a cake with a crumb topping! So, yes, this topping is technically for a crumb cake, but it’s lovely here. Feel free to sub with your favorite crumble recipe! I’ll be doing some experimenting of my own on the front soon, I hope!

1/2 c (71 g) brown sugar
1/4 c (50 g) sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 c (118 g) butter, melted
1 1/4 c (177 g) flour

Combine the sugars, salt, nutmeg and butter. Mix well, then fold in the flour just until no white streaks remain. Set aside while you prepare the filling.

Peach Filling
I took a bunch of notes while I made the filling so I could post accurate measurements here, but you don’t need to adhere strictly to them. Use what you’ve got in the ratios you like!

2 lbs 9 oz peaches; peeled, pitted and sliced
5 Tbsp (43 g) flour
3 Tbsp (25 g) brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 vanilla bean, seeds only – save the pod for another use
Crumb Topping (recipe above)

Preheat your oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set aside.

Mix all ingredients together and mound in a 6″ cast iron pan (or other vessel). Break off small chunks of the crumb topping and place all over the top of the peach filling. Place your chosen baking vessel on top of the foil-lined pan (to catch drips) and bake the crumble for about an hour, until the top is golden. Serve warm or cooled.

Comments

  1. Sumaiyyah says

    Peaches are such magical fruits, aren&#39;t they? I&#39;ve always loved anything peach-scented and peach-coloured. And there&#39;s no harm in being mushy about friendships… especially when they involve amazing people you&#39;re glad you got to know.<br /><br />Believe it or not, I&#39;ve never made a fruit crumble or even eating any, maybe because we never buy rolled oats and that&#39;s what

  4. Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

    Wow, this looks incredible, Kaitlin. I absolutely love anything peach and anything &quot;crumble,&quot; essentially making this my ultimate dessert! Your photos are stunning, crazy beautiful. xo

  5. Anonymous says

    Don&#39;t worry, Candy dear…there may be 1000 miles separating us now, but the wonders of technology are in our favor. 🙂 You just had to go and make me cry again though, didn&#39;t you? I can&#39;t believe I won&#39;t have your cookies, cakes, pies, and other delicious concoctions gracing my palate every day like I have in the past several years. Better prepare for the withdrawals to set in.<

  8. Rachel @ Bakerita says

    Such an amazing post. I&#39;m constantly impressed by your words.<br />This crumble looks wonderful, wish I had some frozen peaches to whip this up. I&#39;ll definitely be making some more of crumble soon though, you&#39;ve got me in the mood for some sweet, baked, too delicious fruit.

  10. thelittleloaf says

    This looks like the perfect, simple, comforting send off for your friend, and so sweet. Sometimes the humblest desserts are the most meaningful.<br /><br />As an aside, your photos are gorgeous – lovely the dark colours and contrasts.

  11. Nadi'Art{design} says

    MiaMm ♥ <br />Ça l&#39;air trop bon ! <br />Merci pour la recette <br />et tes photos sont trop belles 🙂 <br />Passe une belle journée<br />Nadia — xOXo

  14. Kaitlin says

    You guys are so sweet! Thank you!<br /><br />Sumaiyyah, I am a sucker for anything peach, too! I have some peach body wash and it makes me so happy every time I use it 🙂 I hope you like the crumble! It&#39;s so tasty!<br /><br />H, yes, I did 😛 I hope you enjoy my storm of texts each day! <br /><br />Thelittleoaf, so glad you agree! <br /><br />Mighty Morgan, my thoughts exactly!

  16. Purabi Naha says

    What a yummy Irish cream preparation! Loved this recipe and the way you write. I am fond of food and I think there is a lot to learn from you! Your photography is praiseworthy too. Do you have a facebook page? Please feel free to follow my blog as well as my FB page (Cosmopolitan Currymania)and I&#39;ll follow your wonderful blog as well!!http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

  19. kissingmyheelsgoodbye says

    This is the BEST crumble I have ever made – it&#39;s a bit like my late mother&#39;s recipe so it certainly brings back some memories. I&#39;m making it again tonight but as it&#39;s not peach season quite yet I&#39;m going to try it with apples – thank you!