Baked Nectarines with Honey

This simple baked nectarine dessert transforms fresh summer fruit into an elegant treat with minimal effort. The warm fruit paired with cinnamon-infused honey creates a luxurious sauce that's perfect for drizzling over ice cream, making it an impressive yet effortless dessert for any occasion.

I first made these baked nectarines when entertaining last-minute guests and was amazed at how something so simple could impress everyone so thoroughly. Now it's my go-to summer dessert when nectarines are at their peak.

Ingredients

• Fresh nectarines: Choose firm but slightly yielding fruit with fragrant aroma for the best flavor
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and creates a luscious sauce when baked
• Cinnamon: Adds warmth and complexity that pairs perfectly with the stone fruit
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and adds depth to the honey sauce
• Vanilla ice cream: The cold creaminess creates the perfect contrast to the warm fruit

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the cinnamon honey sauce:

Whisk together honey, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small bowl until completely combined. The mixture should be smooth and fragrant, with the cinnamon evenly distributed throughout the honey. Set aside while you prepare the nectarines.

Prepare the nectarines:

Halve the nectarines and remove the pits carefully. If your nectarines are clinging to their pits, use a small paring knife to cut around the pit. Place the halved nectarines in a prepared baking dish with the cut side facing upward to create natural cups for the honey sauce.

Add the honey sauce:

Pour the cinnamon honey sauce generously over each nectarine half, filling the cavity where the pit was and allowing it to flow down the sides. Reserve a small amount of sauce for serving if desired. The honey will thicken and caramelize slightly during baking.

Bake to perfection:

Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The nectarines are done when they are tender when pierced with a fork and the honey sauce is bubbling around them. The fruit should maintain its shape while becoming deliciously soft.

Serve with style:

Place each warm nectarine half in a serving dish and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Spoon the warm pan juices over the ice cream and nectarine for an extra touch of flavor. The contrast between the warm fruit and cold ice cream creates a delightful sensory experience.

Save

I discovered that letting the nectarines sit for about 5 minutes after removing them from the oven allows the juices to settle and the flavors to intensify. My daughter always requests extra sauce to drizzle over her ice cream, claiming it's the best part of the entire dessert.

Make Ahead Options

These baked nectarines can be prepared up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Simply reheat them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through before serving with ice cream. The flavors actually develop and deepen overnight, making this an excellent dessert for entertaining when you want to prepare components ahead of time.

Perfect Fruit Selection

The success of this dessert largely depends on choosing the right nectarines. Look for fruit that yields slightly to gentle pressure but isn't mushy. The skin should be vibrant and fragrant when you smell it. If your nectarines are underripe, place them in a paper bag with a banana for 1-2 days to speed up ripening. Perfectly ripe nectarines will have the ideal balance of sweetness and acidity for this dessert.

Seasonal Variations

While nectarines are the star of this recipe, you can apply the same technique to other stone fruits throughout the summer. Try peaches, plums, or apricots using the same method and sauce. In autumn, pears and apples work beautifully with a slight increase in baking time. Each fruit brings its own character to the dish while maintaining the simple elegance of the original recipe.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use peaches instead of nectarines?

Yes, peaches work beautifully as a substitute for nectarines in this dish. The cooking time remains the same, though you may choose to peel peaches first if you prefer a smoother texture. The cinnamon-honey sauce complements both fruits equally well.

→ How do I know when the nectarines are done baking?

The nectarines are done when they're soft when pierced with a fork and the sauce is bubbling around them, typically after 25-30 minutes at 350°F. The fruit should maintain its shape but be tender throughout.

→ Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

While best served warm from the oven, you can bake the nectarines up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate them. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes before serving with ice cream. The sauce may thicken when chilled but will loosen when reheated.

→ What can I substitute for vanilla ice cream?

Many alternatives work wonderfully! Try serving with Greek yogurt, mascarpone, whipped cream, coconut ice cream, or even a dollop of crème fraîche. Each option brings its own character to complement the warm spiced nectarines.

→ Are there any flavor variations I can try?

Absolutely! Try adding a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the honey sauce, sprinkle chopped pistachios or toasted almonds over the finished dessert, or add a splash of bourbon to the sauce before baking for additional complexity.

→ Can I use frozen nectarines?

Fresh nectarines provide the best texture, but if using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry before baking. Frozen fruit releases more liquid, so you might need to extend the baking time by 5-10 minutes to achieve the desired tenderness.