Grilled Cinnamon-Cardamom Peaches with Honeyed Mascarpone
Grilled Cinnamon-Cardamom Peaches with Honeyed Mascarpone
Ripe peaches meet the grill in this warm-weather dessert, brushed with a fragrant cinnamon-cardamom coconut butter and finished with whipped honey mascarpone and black pepper candied pecans. It's the easiest showstopper you'll pull off after the burgers come off the grill.
What You'll Need
Choose peaches that give slightly when pressed β ripe enough to be sweet, firm enough to hold up on the grill grates.
The Spiced Coconut Butter
- 4 ripe but firm peaches, halved and pitted
- 2 tbsp Organic Coconut Oil, melted
- 1 tsp Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder
- 1/2 tsp Organic Cardamom Powder
- 1/4 tsp Organic Allspice Powder
- 1/8 tsp freshly grated Organic Whole Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Fine Ground Himalayan Pink Salt
The Toppings
- 3 tbsp honey, plus more for drizzling
- 1 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- 1/2 tsp Organic Black Peppercorns, freshly cracked
- Extra pinch cinnamon for dusting (optional, for finishing)
Step by Step
Make the spiced coconut butter
Whisk melted coconut oil with cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until fragrant and fully combined.
Brush the peaches
Brush the cut sides of each peach half generously with the spiced coconut butter, saving a spoonful for drizzling later.
Candy the pecans
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pecans with 1 tablespoon honey, cracked black pepper, and a pinch of salt until glossy, about 3 minutes. Turn out onto a plate to cool, then chop roughly.
Grill the peaches
Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high, roughly 400Β°F. Set peaches cut-side down and grill 4 to 5 minutes until charred with visible grill marks and just softened. Flip briefly to warm through, then remove.
Whip the mascarpone
Beat mascarpone with 2 tablespoons honey and a small pinch of cardamom powder until light, fluffy, and easy to spoon.
Assemble
Arrange warm peach halves on a platter or individual plates. Top each with a generous spoonful of honeyed mascarpone and a scatter of candied pecans.
Finish
Drizzle with the reserved spiced coconut butter and a little extra honey. Dust lightly with cinnamon and serve right away while the peaches are still warm.
Brush the grill grates with a little coconut oil before adding the peaches so the delicate cut sides release cleanly and keep their char marks intact.
The Spices Behind the Peaches
Common Questions
Can I make this without a grill?
Yes. A hot grill pan or even a broiler works well β broil cut-side up for 3 to 4 minutes until the edges caramelize and char slightly.
Can I substitute nectarines or plums?
Absolutely. Nectarines need no peeling and grill similarly; plums cook a bit faster, so watch them closely to avoid overcooking.
What can I use instead of mascarpone?
Whipped cream cheese or full-fat Greek yogurt sweetened with honey both make good stand-ins with a slightly tangier finish.
Can I prep any part ahead?
The spiced coconut butter, whipped mascarpone, and candied pecans can all be made a day ahead and stored separately in the fridge. Grill the peaches just before serving.
How should I store leftover spices?
Keep cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, and nutmeg in airtight containers away from heat and light to preserve their aroma for future recipes.