Easy Peach Cherry Galette: Your Go-To Summer Dessert Recipe

This peach cherry galette recipe is the epitome of summer baking: easy, beautiful, and bursting with fresh fruit flavor. Highlighting the succulent sweetness of ripe peaches and the tart vibrancy of dark cherries, this rustic dessert comes together with surprising ease. The secret to its simplicity? A store-bought pie crust, which allows you to whip up this freeform peach cherry tart without the fuss of making pastry from scratch. It’s the perfect homemade treat for a warm evening, a casual gathering, or simply when you crave something sweet and fruity with minimal effort.

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If you’re a fan of delightful fruit desserts, you’ll adore this easy peach cherry galette. And for more fruity inspiration to sweeten your days, be sure to explore my Cherry Coffee Cake, my Cherry Crumb Pie, my Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake, or my comforting Peach Cobbler Pound Cake! Each recipe offers a unique and delicious way to enjoy the best of seasonal produce.

Understanding the Charm of a Galette: The Easy Pie Crust Alternative

A galette, at its heart, is a type of freeform, single-crust pie or tart. What makes it so appealing is its rustic, perfectly imperfect nature. Unlike traditional pies that often demand meticulous crimping and a dedicated pie plate, a galette is casually shaped directly on a baking sheet. This means no special equipment is needed, and any “imperfections” only add to its charming, homemade look – it’s a truly forgiving dessert for any baker!

The versatility of a galette crust is also a major draw. While often made with a flaky sweet pastry crust, you can also use puff pastry for a lighter, crispier texture, or even yeast-risen doughs like brioche for a richer, bread-like base. The choice is entirely up to your preference, and each variation offers a unique culinary experience. For this particular peach cherry galette recipe, we’re embracing maximum ease by using a high-quality store-bought pie crust.

As the wise Tabitha Brown often says, “that’s our business.” And indeed, when it comes to saving time without sacrificing flavor, using a pre-made crust is a smart choice. You absolutely can whip up a homemade pie crust or opt for puff pastry if you prefer. However, my primary goal with this peach cherry galette recipe is to provide a quick, simple, and delicious solution, especially during warmer months. Who wants to spend extra time in a hot kitchen near a preheating oven, especially when the temperature outside is soaring?

For this recipe, I found that a Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust works wonderfully. It’s readily available, consistently reliable, and saves a significant amount of prep time. When using a refrigerated crust, ensure it’s slightly pliable but still cool enough to handle easily. Unroll it gently to prevent tearing. If you have another favorite brand of refrigerated pie crust that you swear by, feel free to use it! I’d love to hear about your go-to options in the comments below.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Peach Cherry Galette

Crafting this delicious and easy peach cherry galette requires only a handful of readily available ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures, ensuring a truly unforgettable dessert experience:

• Peaches and Cherries: These are undeniably the stars of our summer show! For peaches, choose ripe, fragrant varieties—yellow or white peaches will work beautifully. If fresh, consider peeling them for a smoother texture, though leaving the skin on adds a rustic touch. For cherries, dark sweet varieties are ideal. Always ensure they are pitted and halved to make them easier to eat and to allow their juices to meld with the peaches.
• Granulated Sugar: A carefully measured amount of granulated sugar is added to the fruit filling. This enhances its natural sweetness, beautifully balancing the tartness of the cherries and the sometimes subtle sweetness of peaches, creating a perfectly harmonious flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: This is our secret weapon for a perfectly set and luscious filling. Cornstarch acts as a thickener, absorbing excess fruit juices as they cook. This crucial step prevents the galette from becoming too liquidy and ensures you won’t have a soggy bottom crust. The result is a beautifully cohesive, fruit-packed filling.
• Cinnamon: A warm, inviting spice, ground cinnamon beautifully complements the stone fruits. It adds a subtle depth and a hint of cozy flavor that makes the galette even more comforting. If you adore the classic combination of cinnamon and peach, you simply must try my Cinnamon Rolls Peach Cobbler!
• Lemon Juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice is essential for brightening up the flavors of both the peaches and cherries. It adds a zesty, acidic note that prevents the dessert from being overly sweet and helps to enhance the natural fruit aromas, much like it does in my Blueberry Cake Filling!
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract infuses the fruit filling with a rich, aromatic flavor that elevates the entire dessert. It’s a subtle but significant addition that makes all the difference in the overall taste of your galette.
• A Pie Crust: The foundation of our galette. As discussed, a quality store-bought refrigerated pie crust makes this recipe incredibly convenient and quick. However, if you have the time and prefer a completely from-scratch approach, a homemade pie crust is also a fantastic option.
• An Egg, Separated: This single egg serves two vital purposes in our galette. The egg white is brushed onto the crust before adding the filling, acting as a protective barrier to prevent the juicy fruit filling from seeping through and making the crust soggy. The egg yolk, whisked lightly, creates a beautiful egg wash for the edges of the crust, giving it a golden-brown hue and an appealing shine as it bakes.
• Turbinado Sugar: Also known as raw sugar, turbinado sugar is sprinkled generously over the crust and exposed fruit filling before baking. It adds a wonderful crunchy texture, a glistening, caramelized finish to the galette, and a delightful touch of extra sweetness.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: While listed as optional, we highly recommend serving your warm peach cherry galette with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cool, melting ice cream against the warm, fruity galette is a match made in dessert heaven that truly completes the experience!

Can I Use Frozen Peaches and Cherries for this Galette? Absolutely!

One of the best features of this peach cherry galette recipe is its incredible flexibility when it comes to fruit. You absolutely can use frozen peaches and cherries, and in fact, that’s what I often do, especially when fresh seasonal fruit isn’t readily available or when grocery shopping for specific fresh produce is a bit challenging. Using frozen fruit doesn’t compromise the delicious outcome of this dessert, making it a wonderful year-round possibility for a taste of summer.

When opting for frozen fruit, the key step is to thaw the fruit fully before mixing it into the filling. To do this effectively, place the frozen peaches and cherries in a colander set over a bowl and let them thaw in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This allows any excess juice released during thawing to drain away. Draining is crucial because too much liquid in the filling can lead to a soggy crust and a less appealing texture in your baked galette. Once thawed and thoroughly drained, your frozen fruit is ready to be tossed with the other ingredients, just like fresh fruit, and will bake up beautifully.

Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Peach Cherry Galette

Making this peach cherry galette is truly a straightforward and quick process. Even if you consider yourself a novice baker, you’ll find these steps easy to follow, leading you to a gorgeous and delectable dessert in no time. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to get this amazing galette into your oven:

1. Prepare the Fruit Filling: In a large bowl, combine your peeled and sliced peaches, pitted and halved cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, fresh lemon juice, and pure vanilla extract. Gently toss all the ingredients together until the fruit is evenly coated. This ensures every bite is bursting with flavor and the cornstarch is well distributed for proper thickening during baking.
2. Ready the Pie Crust: Carefully unroll your store-bought pie crust onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. The parchment paper is key for easy cleanup and preventing sticking. If you’re using a homemade crust, roll it out into an approximate 14-inch circle. Lightly brush the entire surface of the pie crust with the separated egg white. This crucial step creates a protective layer, acting as a barrier between the juicy fruit filling and the delicate crust, preventing it from becoming soggy.
3. Assemble the Galette: Spoon the prepared fruit filling evenly onto the center of the crust, leaving a generous 2-inch border around the edges of the pastry. Don’t worry about being too precise with the fruit placement; the rustic nature of a galette is part of its charm and beauty!
4. Fold and Finish the Edges: Begin folding the exposed edge of the pie crust up and over the fruit filling, working your way around the circle. The folds don’t need to be perfectly uniform; they simply create a beautiful, freeform border that holds the filling in place. Once folded, lightly brush the visible crust edges with the whisked egg yolk. Finally, sprinkle generously with turbinado sugar over both the egg-washed crust and any exposed fruit filling for an irresistible sparkle and delightful crunch after baking.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet with your assembled galette to your preheated oven. Bake the galette at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is a beautiful golden brown and the fruit filling is visibly bubbly and tender. The sweet, warm aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely incredible!
6. Cool and Serve: Allow the galette to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack. This allows the filling to set slightly. Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, if desired, for the ultimate dessert experience.

There you have it – a magnificent peach cherry galette that’s as easy as pie… actually, even easier, given its forgiving nature and minimal fuss!

More Irresistible Peach and Fruit Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re anything like me, you simply can’t get enough of delicious stone fruit desserts! Once you’ve savored every last bite of this peach cherry galette, you might be craving more peachy goodness or other delightful handheld treats. Here are some fantastic recipes from my collection to keep the fruity celebrations going all season long:

• For handheld delights perfect for any occasion, make sure to try my unique Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls, my flaky Peach Turnovers with Smoked Sugar, and my sweet and tropical-inspired Peach Mango Pie!
• If you’re looking for more decadent, show-stopping recipes that truly impress guests or make a special meal, you’ll definitely want to check out my refreshing Stone Fruit Salad with Goat Cheese and Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette, and my rich, flavorful Brown Butter Peach Tart!

I genuinely hope you try this easy peach cherry galette and fall in love with its simple charm and incredible flavor! Don’t forget to let me know in the comments how it turns out for you. Your feedback is always appreciated and helps other home bakers. And if you’re ever ready for a slightly more involved pie recipe that is absolutely worth the effort, be sure to try my indulgent Brown Butter Black-Bottom Sweet Potato Pie. Or, for another incredibly easy summertime dessert that requires minimal ingredients, check out my simple 3-ingredient Strawberry Banana Sorbet!

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