Homemade Peach Galette: An Effortlessly Delicious Rustic Pie Recipe

There’s something uniquely satisfying about a homemade pie. The aroma filling your kitchen, the golden crust, the sweet, bubbling fruit filling – it’s pure comfort. But let’s be honest, traditional pies can sometimes feel intimidating, demanding perfectly crimped edges and a meticulous double crust. That’s where the Peach Galette shines. Often called a ‘lazy person’s pie’ or an ‘open-faced tart,’ the galette offers all the rustic charm and deliciousness of a classic pie without the fuss. It’s the quintessential dessert for showcasing the vibrant flavors of fresh, seasonal peaches, encased in a wonderfully flaky, buttery crust that doesn’t demand perfection. If you’re looking for an easy, yet incredibly impressive dessert to whip up from scratch, especially during peak peach season, then this Homemade Peach Galette recipe is your new best friend.

What Exactly is a Galette? The Charm of Rustic Baking

The term ‘galette’ originates from France and typically refers to a flat, round cake or pastry. In the culinary world, it’s often used to describe a free-form tart, baked directly on a baking sheet without the need for a pie dish. Imagine rolling out a simple pie dough, mounding it with your favorite fruit, folding the edges inward to create a charming, imperfect border, and then baking until golden. That’s a galette! Unlike traditional pies that require precise shaping and often a top crust, a galette embraces a more ‘rustic’ aesthetic. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and its perfectly imperfect appearance. It’s ideal for when you want the joy of a homemade pie without the pressure of achieving bakery-level symmetry. Plus, with less crust and more exposed fruit, it truly allows the natural sweetness and juiciness of the peaches to take center stage. You don’t need to cook the filling or spend time making a double crust. It doesn’t need to look perfect because it’s meant to be imperfect – a quality highly valued in the culinary world.

Embracing Peach Season: From Orchard to Oven

Just yesterday, I was reminiscing about a delightful peach-picking adventure, which led to some delicious peach pie yogurt pops. With ten pounds of luscious peaches in hand, I found myself in a sweet dilemma: what to create next? My recipe archives, particularly on Chocolate Moosey, are brimming with peach recipes – from cheesecake bars and cupcakes to turnovers, ice cream, and even peach curd. It felt like every peach-inspired confection had already been explored. Yet, an actual *peach pie* recipe was missing. This realization sparked the idea for a galette. It’s the perfect solution when you have an abundance of fresh fruit and a desire for a straightforward, heartwarming dessert. Even if you only have one or two peaches, a galette is incredibly accommodating, proving that sometimes, the simplest approach yields the most satisfying results. It’s the pie you want to bake when you don’t want to bake a traditional pie but still crave that wholesome, homemade goodness.

Crafting Your Perfect Crust: The Foundation of a Great Galette

A truly great galette starts with a flaky, tender crust, and surprisingly, homemade pie crust is far simpler to prepare than many believe. Forget store-bought dough – once you try this method, you’ll be a homemade crust convert. The secret to ease? A food processor. This kitchen workhorse transforms flour, cold butter, and shortening into a perfect dough in under five minutes. Simply combine the dry ingredients, pulse in the cold fats until they resemble coarse pebbles, then gradually add ice-cold water until the dough just comes together. The key is to handle it minimally to ensure tenderness. If you don’t have a food processor, don’t despair! You can achieve equally fantastic results by hand. Using a pastry blender or even your fingertips, cut the cold butter and shortening into the flour mixture in a large bowl. Then, stir in the cold water until a shaggy dough forms. A little extra ‘elbow grease’ is all that’s required. The best part about making a galette crust is that it doesn’t need to be perfectly round or smooth when rolled out. Its rustic nature means any imperfections in shape only add to its homemade charm. My own small counter space often makes rolling out a perfect circle a challenge, but with a galette, that’s never a problem – no perfect pie crusts here, because the more rustic, the better!

The Art of Assembly: Tips for a Flawless (Yet Rustic) Galette

Preventing a Soggy Bottom: The Jam Trick

One ingenious trick I picked up from the esteemed cookbook author Dorie Greenspan, which has become a staple in my galette making, is to spread a thin layer of jam on the dough before adding the fruit filling. This creates a protective barrier, preventing the fruit’s juices from making the crust soggy. The flavor of the jam is entirely up to you – raspberry jam, which I had on hand, pairs beautifully with the sweet-tartness of peaches, creating a delightful contrast. For an intensified peach experience, a thin layer of peach jam would also be exquisite. This simple step guarantees a crisp, flaky bottom crust every single time, which is crucial for any fruit tart.

Choosing and Preparing Your Peaches

For this galette, you’ll want approximately half a pound of fresh peaches, which usually translates to 1-2 medium-sized fruits. Opt for ripe, fragrant peaches that are slightly soft to the touch. You can peel them or leave the skins on – it’s a matter of personal preference. Leaving the skins on adds a touch of color and texture, while peeling creates a smoother filling. Slice the peaches thinly and uniformly to ensure even cooking. Toss them gently with a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. The lemon juice isn’t just for flavor; it helps brighten the peaches and prevents them from browning, ensuring your galette looks as good as it tastes.

Adding Crunch and Flavor: Toppings

While the peaches are the star, a little something extra can elevate your galette. I enjoy the subtle crunch and nutty flavor of pecans, which complement peaches wonderfully. However, you can use your favorite nut – almonds or walnuts would also be delicious – or omit them entirely if you prefer a nut-free dessert. Before baking, a sprinkle of a simple sugar-cinnamon mixture over the fruit and folded crust edges not only adds a beautiful golden sheen but also a delightful aromatic warmth. This final touch provides that classic ‘pie spice’ flavor without overpowering the fresh fruit.

Homemade Peach Galette

Yield:
8 servings

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

Discover the joy of baking a truly easy and utterly delicious Peach Galette from scratch. This rustic, open-faced pie features a flaky homemade crust generously filled with fresh, juicy peaches, making it the perfect stress-free dessert for any occasion, especially when peaches are in season.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (4 ounces or 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 8 pieces
3 tablespoons shortening, cold and cut into 3 pieces
1/4 cup cold water
2 tablespoons jam, any flavor (raspberry or peach recommended)
1/2 pound fresh peaches, thinly sliced (roughly 1-2 medium peaches)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional, or other nuts like almonds)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and salt. Pulse briefly to mix.
Add the cold unsalted butter (cut into 8 pieces) and cold shortening (cut into 3 pieces) to the food processor. Pulse in short bursts until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized pieces of butter and shortening. Avoid over-mixing.
Alternatively, if making by hand: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter and shortening using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually add the 1/4 cup cold water, pulsing (or mixing by hand) just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, gently form it into an evenly round disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until thoroughly chilled. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.
Assemble the Galette: Once the dough is cold, unwrap it and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into an approximately 11-inch circle. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly round – remember, rustic is good! Carefully transfer the rolled dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a round pizza pan. Spread the 2 tablespoons of jam evenly over the dough, leaving a 1 to 2-inch border around the edges.
In a separate small bowl, gently toss the thinly sliced peaches with the 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Arrange the peaches in a single layer over the jam-coated dough, leaving the border free. If desired, sprinkle the 1/4 cup chopped pecans over the peaches. Then, carefully fold the exposed edges of the pie crust over the peach filling, creating pleats as you go. The center will remain open.
In a small bowl, mix together the remaining 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Generously sprinkle this mixture over the peach filling and the folded crust edges.
Chill and Bake: Refrigerate the assembled galette for another 15 minutes. This helps the crust hold its shape during baking. While it’s chilling, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Bake the galette for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the peach juices are bubbly and slightly thickened. Keep an eye on it – if the edges start browning too quickly, you can loosely cover them with foil.
Cool and Serve: Remove the galette from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. The juices will continue to thicken as it cools. Serve warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

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Serving Your Galette and Pairing Suggestions

Once your Peach Galette emerges from the oven, its golden-brown crust and bubbling fruit filling are a feast for the eyes and nose. Allow it to cool for at least 15-20 minutes on the baking sheet. This crucial step allows the fruit juices to set and thicken, preventing a messy slice. Serve it warm for the most comforting experience, or at room temperature. A scoop of rich vanilla bean ice cream melting over a warm slice is absolute heaven, creating a delightful contrast in temperatures and textures. Alternatively, a dollop of freshly whipped cream provides a lighter, yet equally luxurious accompaniment. You might also dust it lightly with powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance. This ‘lazy dessert pizza,’ as I sometimes call it, makes for a stunning presentation and is surprisingly easy to slice and serve, making it perfect for casual gatherings or a cozy night in.

Why Choose a Galette Over a Traditional Pie?

While classic pies hold a special place in our hearts, the galette offers several compelling advantages, especially for the home baker:

Simplicity: No intricate crimping, no pie dish required, and no need for a tricky double crust. It’s truly baking made easy.
Rustic Charm: Its imperfect, free-form shape is its signature. This means less stress about perfection and more focus on flavor.
Versatility: While we’re celebrating peaches today, galettes can be made with virtually any seasonal fruit – apples, berries, plums, cherries, or a combination. Savory versions with vegetables and cheese are also popular!
Quick Prep: With a food processor, your crust can be ready in minutes, and the assembly is straightforward, making it a great option for last-minute desserts.
Less Crust, More Fruit: The open-faced nature means a higher fruit-to-crust ratio, allowing the natural flavors of the fruit to shine through.

This Peach Galette is truly the pie you want to bake when you crave a homemade dessert but don’t want the fuss of a traditional pie. It’s a celebration of fresh ingredients and simple pleasures that will undoubtedly impress both your family and guests.

From the first bite of its flaky, buttery crust to the sweet, juicy burst of fresh peaches, this Homemade Peach Galette is a testament to the fact that elegant desserts don’t have to be complicated. It’s an inviting, rustic treat that promises to become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. So, gather your fresh peaches, roll out that effortlessly charming dough, and prepare to delight your taste buds with this easy, spectacular dessert. Happy baking!

Source: Adapted from Baking: From My Home To Yours

More Peach Recipes

Peach Pie Filling

Peach Dumplings with Raspberry Sauce

Peach Pie Cheesecake Turnovers

Peach Cobbler For Two