Holly's Homestead — Recipe
Simple Stewed Stone Fruit
A simple dessert made for a homegrown peach glut
DIFFICULTY Easy
COURSE Dessert
CUISINE Australian
COURSE Dessert
CUISINE Australian
A batch this size may need an extra 5-10 minutes of simmering to thicken properly - there's more liquid to reduce relative to the pot's surface area.
01Ingredients
02Method
- Combine peaches, sugar, cinnamon stick, vanilla, and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes until the fruit has softened but still holds its shape.
- Stir through lemon juice and remove from heat.
- Remove the cinnamon stick before serving. Serve warm or chilled.
03Notes & substitutions
- Plums, apricots, or nectarines all work well in place of peaches.
- Swap cinnamon for a split vanilla pod or a strip of orange zest.
- Reduce the sugar if the fruit is already very ripe and sweet.
- Vegetarian and vegan as written.
04Common mistakes
- Simmering too hard — a rolling boil breaks the fruit down into mush; keep it to a gentle simmer.
- Overcooking — the fruit should still hold its shape, not dissolve completely; check it from the 10 minute mark.
- Forgetting the cinnamon stick — leaving it in when serving is easy to miss; remove it before plating up.
05Storage & leftovers
Fridge
Airtight container, up to 5 days.
Freezer
Freezes well for up to 6 months.
Serving
Good warm or chilled - versatile either way.
More About This Recipe
07Troubleshooting
- Fruit has turned to mush. Cooked too long or at too high a heat - reduce the time and keep it at a gentle simmer next time.
- Fruit tastes too sweet or too tart. Depends on ripeness - taste partway through and adjust the sugar or lemon juice.
- Fruit hasn't softened enough. Needs a little longer - some varieties and ripeness levels take a few extra minutes.
- Liquid is too thin. Simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes at the end to reduce and thicken it slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other stone fruit?
Yes - plums, apricots, or nectarines all work well, though cooking times may vary slightly depending on ripeness.
Do I need to peel the peaches first?
No - this is not necessary, since the skins soften during cooking and add colour and texture to the finished dish.
Why add lemon juice at the end?
Lemon juice brightens the flavour and helps preserve the fruit's colour once cooked.
What can I serve this with?
Yoghurt, ice cream, porridge, or pancakes all work well alongside stewed stone fruit.