Peach flavor affinities: Almonds, hazelnuts, pecans; apricots, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, red currants, plums, citrus fruits (lemon, lime, orange); basil, cinnamon basil, Mexican tarragon; cinnamon, cloves, ginger, vanilla; brown sugar, caramel, honey, maple syrup; bourbon, brandy, Cassis.

The aromatic bite of the common dessert spice cinnamon pairs beautifully with peaches in pies, cobblers, crisps and other desserts. You can use cinnamon alone to spice any peach-based dessert or add other common dessert spices, such as ground ginger, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and mace.

Press peaches gently at the top near where the stem was—if the flesh yields slightly, the fruit is ripe and ready to eat. Harder peaches can be ripened at home, but you’ll want to skip any that are rock hard, as those were picked too soon. Really soft peaches are over-ripe but they’re still good for baking.

Pick a Peach: 5 Ways to Enjoy Canned Peaches

1. The Sweet Topping: Peach Sauce.
2. The Classic with an Unexpected Twist: Grilled Cheese with Peaches.
3. A Peachy Pick-Me-Up: The Peach Cooler.
4. The New Breakfast Go-To: Rise and Shine Cobbler.
5. The Sweet and Savory Sandwich: Chicken Salad and Peach Sandwich.

Spices and Herbs Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove and nutmeg give warmth and gentle spice to peaches, while herbs like basil, tarragon, thyme and rosemary add earthy notes to peach desserts.

Yes! Since the skins on the sliced peaches will soften during baking, they’ll be very tender in the final dish. But if you’d rather not have them in your cobbler or other peach recipes, it’s perfectly OK to peel the peaches first. You can also leave the skin on for many savory peach recipes.

Peach Cobbler tips Use ripe, fresh peaches for best results. The better the peaches, the better the cobbler will taste! If the peaches are hard and unripe, you’ll likely need a longer bake time and more sugar to compensate.

If you have stomach trouble, a snack of canned peaches may be a good idea. They have a soft texture, are lower in fiber than fresh fruit, and are easy to digest. As part of what’s called a “gastrointestinal soft diet,” canned peaches can help soothe an upset stomach and ease diarrhea and gas.

To further extend the shelf life of opened canned peaches, freeze them: to freeze peaches, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. How long do canned peaches last in the freezer? Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 2 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.

How to make baked peaches. Slice peaches in half and remove the pit. Place in a oven safe pan. Place a small piece(about 3/4 teaspoon) of butter in the middle of each peach. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Then sprinkle over the peach. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until golden. Top with cream and caramel if desired.

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the oil, maple syrup, brandy, coconut sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Spoon the mixture over the peaches, filling the center and letting it run over the sides. Bake peaches, uncovered, until the peaches are cooked through and fork-tender, about 30 minutes.

Bake the peaches at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until they are so tender you can cut them with a spoon. The filling will bubble and caramelize, and your entire kitchen will smell like a cross between a bakery and a peach orchard.

Peaches contain vitamin C, potassium, calcium, fiber, and other nutrients. Further, this is a recipe for Baked Peaches without butter, and it is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar. Don’t you love it when dessert-goes-breakfast is a possibility?