How To Use Frozen Peaches Recipes

HOW TO USE FROZEN PEACHES IN PLACE OF FRESH

Steps:

• Buy enough peaches for the recipe you plan on using them for. Before you head to the store, take a look at your recipe's ingredients list to find the exact quantity of peaches that it calls for. On average, a 1 pound (16 oz) package of frozen peaches contains about as much fruit as 3 medium-sized fresh peaches. Look for frozen peaches in the freezer aisle of your local supermarket. Frozen peaches tend to cost slightly more than the same quantity of fresh peaches in-season, but their versatility, convenience, and long shelf life will more than make up for the few extra pennies you'll pay for them.
• Add frozen peaches directly to baked goods without thawing. One of the biggest advantages of choosing frozen peaches over fresh is that they don't require thawing. This makes them perfect for putting together a quick dessert just before dinner or preparing something sweet on short notice to bring to a party or work function. If you like, you can also thaw your peaches briefly (about 10-15 minutes) at room temperature to give them a chance to release excess moisture prior to baking.
• Thaw your peaches overnight in the refrigerator before using them like fresh. Portion out the amount of fruit you want to use in a small bowl or similar container. Then, cover the container and place it in your fridge for 6-12 hours. As the peaches thaw, they'll soften up and shed excess moisture. By opting for frozen peaches over fresh, you can save yourself quite a bit of time and labor that you would otherwise spend peeling, pitting, and slicing. Keep in mind that your peaches may have a fragile, somewhat mushy texture once thawed. This is because of the changes that occur in the cells of the fruit during freezing.Alternative: If you're in a hurry to use your still-frozen peaches, set your thawing container inside a bowl of lukewarm water to speed things along.
• Drain your thawed peaches thoroughly. Once your peaches have defrosted for 20-30 minutes, pour out the liquid that's collected at the bottom of your thawing container. This will leave you with just the fruit, which will be almost as sweet, tender, and juicy as if it were picked the same day. Most of the liquid that comes off of your peaches will be water created by condensation during the freezing process, so don't worry about losing those flavorful juices.

HOW TO USE FROZEN PEACHES

Steps:

• Defrost your frozen peaches in the fridge for 6-8 hours. Place your package or bag of frozen peaches in the refrigerator ahead of time, so they gradually begin thawing. Give the fruit at least 6 hours to defrost so the slices aren't completely frozen when you take them out of the fridge. To plan ahead, refrigerate your frozen peaches the night before you plan on baking the cobbler. Only thaw out as many peach slices as you need. Peaches packaged with dry sugar will thaw more rapidly than peaches frozen in syrup.
• Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Set your oven temperature ahead of time, so you won't be waiting for it to heat up later on. While you wait, you can start preparing your batter and filling. You'll be thawing and warming the peach slices before adding them to the cobbler.
• Line the bottom of a 2 US qt (1.9 L) dish with melted butter. Melt ½ cup (118 mL) of butter in the microwave until it has a watery consistency. Next, pour or brush the butter onto the bottom of the dish. Make sure to cover the sides of the pan as well, so the cobbler won't stick to the dish. You can substitute margarine for butter as well.
• Thaw the frozen fruit by placing it in a colander under running water. Pour the defrosted peach slices into a large colander, which you can place under a stream of cool tap water. As you rinse the fruit, rotate the colander so the peach slices can defrost evenly. To ensure a thorough thaw, keep the peaches under running water for at least 30 minutes. Ideally, you want the peach slices to be soft to the touch.
• Warm the peaches, water, and sugar over medium-high heat. Transfer the thawed peaches to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Next, pour ⅔ cup (133.3 g) of white sugar and ½ cup (118 mL) of water into the pan. Stir these ingredients together for about 5 minutes, or until a thick syrup forms. Don't worry if the mixture looks a bit watery at first! Since the peach slices were initially frozen, they'll still be filled with some water.
• Create a batter with sugar, salt, milk, flour, and baking powder. Mix 1 cup (130 g) of all-purpose flour, 1 cup (200 g) of white sugar, ½ cup (118 mL) of milk, 1½ tsp (6 g) of baking powder, and ¼ tsp (1.4 g) of salt together in a bowl. Continue stirring the ingredients together until they form a thick, batter-like consistency. To make the mixing process simpler, consider pouring in the dry ingredients first. If you don't want to mix the batter by hand, feel free to use an electric mixer instead.
• Layer the batter and peaches in the greased baking dish. Pour all the batter into the greased dish to form a smooth, thick layer. Next, scatter the warmed peaches into the batter. Try to leave some space between the slices, so the fruit spreads evenly throughout the dessert. If you have any leftover syrup from the peach saucepan, feel free to drizzle it overtop!
• Bake the cobbler for 40 to 45 minutes. Place your cobbler in the oven. If possible, use the oven light to check on the dessert. Once the surface of the cobbler looks golden-brown, you can take it out of the oven!

PEACH PIE WITH FROZEN PEACHES

Steps:

• Allow pie crusts to sit at room temperature about 15 minutes if recommended by manufacturer.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Remove plastic packaging from pie crusts and gently unroll one piece on a floured work surface. Dust the dough with flour on both sides. Fit the dough inside a 9-inch pie pan, shaping and gently stretching it to the top edge of the pie pan.
• Stir together frozen peach slices, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl (see note.)
• Pour peach mixture into the unbaked pie crust and gently level out the top of the peaches with the back of a spoon. Peach slices will still be frozen.
• Gently unroll the second piece of dough on the floured work surface. Fit the second dough circle on top of the peaches, and allow an even amount to hang over the edge of the pan, all the way around.
• Brush the top of the pie with beaten egg, discarding any excess egg. Fold the edges of the top crust under, using the edge of the pan for a guide. Press the top crust and the bottom crust together to form a crimped edge. Lightly cover the crimped edge of the pie with strips of aluminum foil or with pie crust shields, to prevent over-browning.
• Cut several slits in the top crust with a sharp knife. Sprinkle sparkling sugar over the crust.
• Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until the pie is browned and bubbly, about 1 hour.
• Cool on a rack about 30 minutes and serve warm.

PEACH COBBLER WITH FROZEN PEACHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• For the filling: Defrost peaches completely in colander. Gently toss peaches and sugar together in large bowl; let stand for 30 minutes, tossing several times. Drain peaches in colander set over large bowl. Whisk 2 tablespoons of drained juice (discard extra), cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt together in small bowl. Toss peach juice mixture with peach slices and transfer to 8-inch-square glass baking dish. Bake until peaches begin to bubble around edges, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• For the topping: While peaches are baking, in food processor, pulse flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine. Scatter butter over and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, about ten 1-second pulses. Transfer to medium bowl; add yogurt and toss with rubber spatula until cohesive dough is formed. (Don't overmix dough or biscuits will be tough.) Break dough into 6 evenly sized but roughly shaped mounds and set aside.
• To assemble and bake: When peaches bubble around edges, remove baking dish from oven and place dough mounds on top, spacing them at least 1/2 inch apart (they should not touch). Sprinkle each mound with portion of remaining 1 teaspoon sugar. Bake until topping is golden brown, about 18 minutes. Cool cobbler on wire rack until warm, about 20 minutes; serve.

DOUBLE-CRUST PEACH PIE WITH FROZEN PEACHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Coat a 9-inch pie pan with 1/2 tablespoon melted butter and dust completely with 1 tablespoon flour; shake off the excess.
• Line the bottom and sides of the pie pan with 1 pie crust. Poke the bottom and sides of the dough with a fork to provide venting. Brush the edges of the crust with remaining melted butter.
• Place sliced peaches in a large bowl and pour off excess liquid.
• Mix 1/3 cup flour, sugar, pectin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a separate bowl. Pour over the peaches and mix gently.
• Pour into the pie crust, and dot with 4 teaspoons butter. Cover with the second pie crust and fold the edges under. Flute the edges to seal or press the edges with the tines of a fork. Poke the top crust gently with a fork 6 or so times and cut a modest center hole to vent steam. Cover the edges of the pie with strips of aluminum foil to prevent excess browning or burning.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake until crust is brown and the juice begins to bubble through the vents, 40 to 45 minutes more. Cool before serving.