Honey-Glazed Roasted Peaches with Mascarpone

When peaches are at their seasonal peak, they can speak for themselves with only a few added flavorings. In this simple recipe, they are roasted with honey to bring out their juices, and served with a dollop of creamy mascarpone as a simple dessert. If you like, serve the peaches with shortbread cookies.

Honey-Glazed Roasted Peaches with Mascarpone

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (4 oz./125 g) mascarpone cheese
• 3 Tbs. heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (optional)
• 2 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
• 4 ripe peaches, preferably freestone, pitted and halved lengthwise
• 2 Tbs. honey, slightly warmed until liquid
• A few sprigs fresh thyme for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a small bowl, mix together the mascarpone, cream and cinnamon with a rubber spatula. Set aside and let stand at room temperature while roasting the peaches.

Have ready a baking dish just large enough to hold the peach halves in a single layer. Butter the dish with 1 Tbs. of the melted butter. Place the peaches in the dish, cut side up, and brush the halves with the
remaining 1 Tbs. melted butter.

Bake until the peach juices collect in the hollows where the pits were removed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Brush the peaches with the honey, letting the juices run into the baking dish. Return to the oven and bake until the peaches are tender, about 5 minutes more. Serve the peaches immediately, with the cooking juices spooned on top, and top with the mascarpone and thyme. Serves 4 to 6.

Find tantalizing recipes for timeless favorites in this new edition of Williams-Sonoma
Comfort Food: Recipes for Classic Dishes & More, by Rick Rodgers.