Just Peachy🍑

Every summer, my sister and I order fresh Utah peaches. Then comes the marathon...

Peel peaches.
Pit peaches.
Slice peaches.
Freeze peaches.

Repeat... and repeat... and repeat.

By the time we're finished, we have enough frozen peaches to last for months. The only question is: What do we make with all of them?

Here are a few family favorites that have become staples in our kitchen.

🍑 Georgia Peach Bread

Ingredients

• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 2¼ cups peach purée
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions
Cream the sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then add the peach purée. Mix in the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined. Stir in the vanilla and nuts.

Pour into two greased and floured 9×5-inch loaf pans. Bake at 325°F for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the loaves cool for about 5 minutes before removing them from the pans. Cool completely on wire racks.

Makes two loaves.

(Peach bread doesn't sound all that exciting... but trust me—it is!)

Crumb Topping

• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons softened butter

Mix together with a fork until crumbly, then sprinkle over the batter before baking.

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🍑 Hot Peaches

Ingredients

• 8 cups fresh peaches
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ teaspoon sweet spice
• 1 cup water
• 4 tablespoons Ultra Gel

Heat until thickened and serve warm.

Our favorite way to enjoy them? Spoon the hot peaches over vanilla ice cream and top with crushed Special K Cinnamon Pecan cereal for a little crunch. So simple... and so good!

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🍑 Peach Smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup crushed ice
• ¼ cup sugar

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Nathan approved. In fact, the picture says it all...my oldest son couldn't drink his smoothie fast enough. I'd say that's a five-star review!

There's something special about filling the freezer with peaches each summer. Every loaf of bread, bowl of hot peaches, and smoothie brings back memories of spending the day in the kitchen with my husband and kids, turning boxes of fresh peaches into sweet reminders of summertime.