I wanted it to really be summer, so I made one.
Yes, I know technically the real first day of summer is next week. I’m a little ahead of the game. BUT after a lonnggggg winter full of too many below zero days I think I (and the rest of Minnesota) deserve summer just a few days early.
Totally 100% fair.
Also, I wanted to bake a dessert for my dad for Father’s Day and I feel that fruit crisps are good dad desserts: simple and fuss-free, also delicious without being super sweet or too rich.
Plus, peaches? The epitome of summer.
I planned to meet my parents at our cabin this weekend. We would hang out all weekend, maybe do some work on the cabin, and celebrate Father’s Day on Saturday evening. We would grill, drink wine and beer, and I would bake this delicious bourbon peach crisp. We would invite over our neighbors (we have the best cabin neighbors), chat, laugh, and have a grand ole time.
Sounds like a great plan, right?
Right.
This plan for the most part happened. Actually, it all happened. However, my dad wasn’t there to enjoy it. Why? Because he got sick yesterday morning and had to stay at home. Super sad. Also, it was cold and rainy all weekend.
My mom was sick earlier in the week on her birthday and then my dad got sick Father’s Day weekend. Terrible, terrible timing for both of them. So unfortunate.
I will plan to celebrate his amazing fatherness from afar and catch up with him at a later date… probably over a beers and burgers.
Despite my dad not being able to join us I still made this peach crisp. Because, peach crisp. It.is.so.good.
First, peaches and bourbon. You just can’t go wrong with this combo.
Second, as I already mentioned, fruit crisp desserts are as summer-y as they get and we could all use some summer in our lives.
Third, it is so easy to make – simple ingredients and simple baking tools. Perfect for cabin baking (our kitchen isn’t fully stocked here).
Speaking of cabin baking. How great are our orange countertops? So classic.
Peel and slice peaches. Mix them with some bourbon and maple syrup and throw them in a baking dish. Stir together some flour, oats, brown sugar, spices, and butter. Sprinkle it all over the peaches. Bake for 40 minutes. Pull it out of the oven. Stare at it for a few minutes mentally willing it to cool down just enough to eat. Scoop some on a plate. Top with ice cream. Give your dad a hug and a kiss (or a mental hug and kiss if he is not nearby). Eat and enjoy.
- 6-7 peaches
- 3 tbsp bourbon
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1⅓ cup oats
- ⅔ cup flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp butter
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the mixture until everything is moistened and evenly distributed. You may need to use your hands for this. Set aside.
- Peel and slice the peaches and place them in an 8x8” baking dish. Add the bourbon, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a few sprinkles of the crumble mixture. Stir together.
- Top with the crumble mixture and cover with foil.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the fruit juices are bubbling and the crisp is slightly brown.
- Let cool slightly and serve with vanilla ice cream.
Also, I just can’t let you go without giving you the top 10 reasons why my dad is the best:
- He sends the best texts and emails. Seriously, the best. During my freshman year of college he went through a phase where he sent me daily Anchorman quotes. Then we went through a phase where he sent daily emails to my siblings and me. It started out as Bible verses, then switched to presidential quotes, then switched to dumb things I have said. Now every once in a while I will get a picture text with a quote, signed “just b.lee”. See what he did there? So clever.
- He enjoys drinking Hamm’s beer and the occasional pomegranate martini. “Cheers, bitches!”
- He is not an outgoing person, but is really good at making small talk with waitresses and cashiers. Since he is more of the strong, silent type my friends growing up were a little scared of him, but now they all love him.
- He is the funniest person he knows. He laughs at all his own jokes. Sometimes he’ll laugh at other people’s jokes, but it has to be the right place, right time type of situation. I always laugh at his jokes, because they are hilarious and sometimes not even real jokes!
- He is “not about fun”. That is a direct quote. Personally, I think that he is more about fun than not. Especially now that my parents are empty nesters. Maybe have four children running around at home is a stressful fun-suck?
- He is a stud and is a pro at “The Body” (AKA Jesse Ventura) strut.
- He has been mistaken for Brett Favre, Dennis Quaid, Harrison Ford, and George W. Bush.
- He is the coolest farmer ever and grows a pretty awesome moustache during “hunting season.” It always looks good and I tell him this much to my mom’s dismay. Fun facts: our farm has been in our family for over a century. I grew up in the house that my dad did and my parents still live there. However, the house has changed significantly over the years.
- He taught my siblings and I the value of hard work, dedication, and persistence. I am very grateful for all of these lessons. They helped shape me into the person I am today. From him I also received my stubborn-ness and inability to be idle.
- He is a stand-up man. The best man. My favorite man. I love him and always always will.
Happy Father’s Day to ALL the amazing fathers out there. Also, a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my grandpa. Another tremendous man whom I love deeply.
[…] and while you’re at it, a few more peach recipes: browned butter ginger peach blondies, bourbon peach crisp, and fruit & coconut water ice […]