Baked Peaches with Amaretto and Mascarpone

Ingredients

• 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
• 1/4 cup (60ml) amaretto liqueur 1/4 cup (60ml) amaretto liqueur
• 2 tablespoons (30g) brown sugar 2 tablespoons (30g) brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, melted 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup (120g) mascarpone cheese 1/2 cup (120g) mascarpone cheese
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional) Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1170 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
• Carbohydrates: 25g (Sugar: 23g)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a small bowl, combine the amaretto liqueur, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
3. 3.
   Place the peach halves in a baking dish, cut side up.
4. 4.
   Drizzle the melted butter over the peaches.
5. 5.
   Pour the amaretto mixture evenly over the peaches.
6. 6.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the peaches are tender and caramelized.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
8. 8.
   Serve the baked peaches warm, topped with a dollop of mascarpone cheese.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Peaches — Choose ripe and fragrant peaches for the best flavor. If they are not fully ripe, you can place them in a paper bag at room temperature for a day or two to ripen.
• Amaretto liqueur — If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute almond extract mixed with a small amount of water.
• Mascarpone cheese — Make sure to refrigerate the mascarpone until ready to use, as it has a tendency to soften quickly at room temperature.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle some crushed amaretti cookies over the baked peaches before serving.
• If you don't have amaretto liqueur, you can use other liqueurs such as peach schnapps or bourbon for a different twist.
• Serve the baked peaches with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for added sweetness.
• Experiment with different spices such as nutmeg or cardamom to customize the flavor profile.
• Leftover baked peaches can be refrigerated and enjoyed cold the next day.

Serving advice

Serve the Baked Peaches with Amaretto and Mascarpone warm, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence. The combination of warm peaches and creamy mascarpone is a match made in heaven.

Presentation advice

Arrange the baked peach halves on a serving platter, with a generous dollop of mascarpone cheese on top of each. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color. The caramelized glaze on the peaches will make them visually appealing and irresistible.