Skillet Caramelized Peaches are a perfect summer dessert. Caramelized in butter, cinnamon and brown sugar and topped with vanilla ice cream and crunchy, toasted pecans. Delicious!!

caramelized peaches topped with vanilla ice cream and toasted pecans on a white plate

These Caramelized Peaches are quickly cooked in a skillet on the stovetop and are the easiest dessert to make for one or a crowd. Just like baked peaches, these are warm, soft and kissed with a touch of sweet. These sauteed peaches are perfect topped with some rich vanilla bean ice cream or even fresh whipped cream. They make a simple and fast dessert and are a perfect way to enjoy those fresh, juicy peaches.

toasting pecans in a cast iron pan in melted butter and brown sugar

You are going to love one of my favorite additions to this cooked peaches recipe; the sweet roasted pecans on top! They add a crunchy texture and a hint of caramel goodness! Toasted pecans are one of my favorite ice cream toppings, even if peaches are not in season, you can even just make them to put on top of your ice cream!! They are so easy to make!

How to Make Sweet Cinnamon Toasted Pecans

Now if you are going to make these toasted pecans on the stovetop to top your caramelized peaches, you only need to do a few simple things. First, you will need to melt 3 tablespoons of butter in your skillet, add in about 3 tablespoons of brown sugar and one teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved into the butter.

Add in your chopped or whole pecans and continue to cook and stir until the nuts are fully coated and the butter has thickened, about 3 minutes. The nuts will become fragrant and crunchy. Remove from pan so they will stop cooking and reserve the butter to drizzle over the top of your peaches and ice cream.

For this caramelized peaches recipe it is easy to use the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon that is already in the pan from cooking the peaches, I only needed to add a little more butter to make the caramel for the pecans.

peaches, cinnamon, brown sugar and pecans

Ingredients Needed for Skillet Caramelized Peaches

4 large peaches
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup pecan pieces

collage of caramelized peaches, brown sugar coated peach, peaches in a pan and caramelized peach on a plate

How to Make Skillet Caramelized Peaches

Prepare the peaches by washing and slicing in half. To do this, find the stem on the top and with a sharp knife, slice down the side and turn the peach until you the first slice at the stem. Twist the two halves of the peach to split it into two halves. Remove the pit from the center by gently lifting with your finger. It should come out easily and whole. If you have a pit that splits with the peach, you can easily remove it with a spoon or your knife.

slice peach cut side down in a bowl of brown sugar and cinnamon

In a small bowl combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Press each half of a peach into the mixture until it is well coated. Heat a 12 inch skillet or cast iron over medium high heat and add butter. When the butter is melted and bubbly place each peach half seasoned side down in the skillet. Cook on medium high heat for 5-7 minutes. Move the peaches around a little bit, just make sure they are all getting some heat.

Remove the peaches from the pan when they are heated through. Add another 2-3 tablespoons of butter to the pan and stir until the brown sugar and cinnamon are dissolved again. You can add more of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture you dipped the peaches in if you feel like you need to. Add the pecan pieces and continue to stir, cooking until they are well coated and crunchy, this only takes about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Place the peach on a plate or in a bowl, top with ice cream and drizzle with toasted pecans and some of the caramelized butter from the pan. Serve warm and enjoy the “oooo’s and ahhhh’s” while your fam devours these!