01 -
First things first, get those peaches ready. I usually blanch them quickly to make peeling easier, but if you’re feeling rustic, leave some skin on! Slice them into roughly ½-inch wedges, catching all those beautiful juices in a big bowl. This is where the magic starts to happen, smelling like pure summer. I always try to keep my slices uniform, but honestly, a few wonky ones just add character, right?
02 -
Now, to those peaches, add your granulated sugar, a tablespoon of flour, a pinch of salt, a dash of cinnamon, and that crucial splash of lemon juice. Give it a gentle toss, making sure every peach slice gets coated in that sweet, spicy goodness. This is where I always forget to taste a tiny bit of the mixture (before baking, of course!) to check for sweetness. Don't make my mistake! Let it sit for about 10 minutes; the peaches will start to release their lovely juices.
03 -
In a separate bowl, combine your remaining flour, brown sugar, and another pinch of salt. Then, grab that cold, cubed butter. I like to use my fingertips to really work the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces remaining. This is crucial for that perfect, buttery crunch. I actually tried using a food processor once, and it just got too fine. Hands-on is best here, honestly!
04 -
Pour your peach filling into a 9-inch pie dish (no need for a bottom crust with this crumble!). Try to spread them out evenly. Then, generously sprinkle that glorious crumble topping all over the peaches. Don't press it down too much; you want those airy pockets for maximum crispiness. Sometimes I get a little messy here, with crumbs flying, but hey, that's just part of the fun of making a <b>Classic Peach Crumble Pie</b>!
05 -
Pop your pie into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 45-55 minutes. You're looking for a bubbly, thick peach filling peeking through the golden-brown, crispy crumble. My kitchen always smells incredible at this point; it’s a sensory explosion! If the crumble starts to brown too quickly, just loosely tent it with foil. I’ve definitely had a few too-dark crumbles in my day, oops.
06 -
This is the hardest part, honestly: letting it cool! You need to let your <b>Classic Peach Crumble Pie</b> rest for at least 30 minutes, if not an hour, to let the filling set up properly. Otherwise, you'll have a runny mess, and while delicious, it's not ideal for serving. The final result should be a beautiful, warm, fragrant pie with a wobbly, juicy filling and a crunchy topping. Pure bliss!