Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce

Last week, I made a pretty big decision. One I was contemplating for about 10 years. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to play hockey again. I learned how to skate pretty much right after I learned how to walk, and have been playing hockey ever since. I have been on an approximate 10+ year hiatus and I figured I needed to do something about it. The main reason why I fell out of playing hockey is because many (if not all) of the friends I played with stopped playing. Plus, it’s a little daunting being placed on a team where you know absolutely nobody. But I decided to take the chance and now am officially a member of the Goal Diggers! I also may have signed up simply for the team name – amazing!

A couple days ago, I broke the news to Claudia that I was playing hockey again. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. She has been and always will be my biggest hockey fan. I honestly don’t know how she did it – work full time, shuttle me back and forth to practice and games at least 3-4 times a week, cook us all family meals every day, and ensure all my equipment smelt great. Trust me, that that one is a HUGE job! People who play hockey or have kids who do clearly know what I’m talking about. Now that I’m a fully functioning adult, I don’t expect her to chauffeur me to all my games and practices – although that would be simply amazing. However, she has already declared she will be in the stands cheering me on at some games. I didn’t even have to ask!

I figured as a token of my appreciation for her fandom, I would bake her this delicious Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce. Yeah…it’s pretty much the best peach crisp I have ever had. The flavours reminded me of a dessert that could easily be served in a restaurant. The sweet peaches and maple syrup, topped with a crumbly buttery layer. You cannot go wrong with this. I also almost ate the Maple Cream Sauce with a spoon out of the jar the next day. I would like to point out..ALMOST. Okay so I did it….sue me.

You will need:

5-6 fresh peaches (not overly ripe or soft)
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 lemon
7 tbsp maple syrup, divided
1-1/2 cup whipping cream
3 tbsp light corn syrup

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

Cut butter into small pieces and gradually add to flour mixture until evenly mixed.

Cut peaches into a bowl. I left the peel on but you can remove if you’d like.

Add the zest from half a lemon.

Squeeze juice from lemon half and stir in with peaches and zest.

Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to peaches, stir well.

Pour peach mixture into a small non-greased baking dish (8” or 9” square).

Cover evenly with crumb topping.

Yummy!

Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until crisp and brown on top.

While your peach crisp is baking, make your Maple Cream Sauce! It’s best to do it now as you want to serve the crisp warm with a cold, thickened Maple Cream Sauce.

 Pour whipping cream into a saucepan.

Add 5 tablespoons of maple syrup to the whipping cream.

Next, add 3 tablespoons corn syrup and stir cream mixture over moderate heat until thickened and reduced by about one-third, approximately 15 minutes.

Refrigerate mixture until it is cold and thick, or set the saucepan into a small bowl of ice (the ice will melt and turn into ice water). Stirring your mixture, it will cool and thicken in about 15 minutes.

When your crisp is ready, set briefly on a wire rack.

Dish up this sweet delight into bowls for all your friends and family.

Pour the decadent, cooled Maple Cream Sauce over the warm peach crisp.

I’m seriously drooling again over this.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from: The Pioneer Woman