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Caramelized Skillet Peaches

Caramelized skillet peaches are cooked in a cast iron pan until they form a deep amber glaze and collapse at the edges. Served warm with vanilla for a quick stovetop caramelized fruit dessert that pools a glossy caramel sauce.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Peaches
  • 4 peaches Peeled and sliced into wedges.
Caramel base
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter Use for browning in the skillet.
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar Packed brown sugar.
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Stir in off the heat.
  • 1 tbsp bourbon Or substitute lemon juice.
  • 0.5 tsp lemon juice Use if not using bourbon; add as directed in step 5.
  • 1 salt Pinch of salt.
Serving
  • 1 vanilla ice cream or yogurt For serving; spoon caramel sauce over the top.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Caramelize the peaches
  1. Melt the unsalted butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to brown, watching for nutty color and aroma.
  2. Add the peach slices in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, until the bottoms caramelize and look golden at the edges.
  3. Flip the peaches and add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt; cook 3-4 more minutes, stirring gently, until the sugar melts into a glossy caramel sauce.
  4. Add the bourbon or lemon juice and stir; cook 1 more minute until the sauce thickens and coats the peaches with a shiny amber glaze.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, keeping the peaches intact and the sauce glossy.
Serve
  1. Serve immediately over vanilla ice cream or yogurt, spooning the caramel sauce over the top so the glaze pools around the peaches.

Notes

For clean caramel control, cook the peaches undisturbed during the first caramelization and only stir gently after flipping—this helps edges collapse while keeping wedges intact. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; rewarm in a skillet over low heat until glossy. Freezing isn’t recommended because the peaches lose their texture after thawing. Dietary swap: use a dairy-free butter substitute to keep it dairy-free while still browning for caramel flavor.