Grilled Stone Fruit with Sweet Homemade Coconut Cream: The Ultimate 15-Minute Summer Dessert
Experience the best of summer with this incredibly delicious and fresh Grilled Stone Fruit recipe, perfectly paired with a sweet, homemade coconut cream. Ready in just 15 minutes, this simple yet elegant dessert is a vibrant celebration of seasonal flavors, making it your new go-to for any summer gathering or a delightful weeknight treat.
There’s a certain magic that happens when you taste a peach straight from the fridge on a warm summer day. For years, my experience with peaches was primarily as an ingredient, their natural sweetness often blended or baked into something else. It wasn’t until this summer that I truly bit into a ripe, unadulterated peach, and it was a revelation. The sheer juiciness, the delicate sweetness, the slightly fuzzy skin – it was perfection in its purest form. This moment sparked an idea: if a fresh peach was this amazing, what culinary wonders could grilling unlock? My curiosity led me to experiment, and what I discovered was a delightful transformation that elevated this humble fruit into an extraordinary dessert.
Why Grilled Stone Fruit is Your New Favorite Summer Treat
Grilling stone fruit isn’t just a good idea; it’s one of the best summer culinary decisions you can make. The heat of the grill performs a miraculous alchemy, transforming firm, sweet fruit into something incredibly soft, intensely aromatic, and irresistibly flavorful. The natural sugars caramelize beautifully, creating a slightly smoky, deeply sweet exterior while the inside becomes wonderfully tender. It’s a simple technique that yields complex flavors, proving that sometimes, the simplest preparations are truly the best.
This recipe focuses on peaches and plums, two classic summer stone fruits that are fantastic on the grill. However, the beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. Nectarines and apricots also grill exceptionally well, offering a similar delightful sweetness and texture. The char marks from the grill add a rustic visual appeal and an extra layer of flavor that complements the fruit’s natural sweetness. This makes grilled stone fruit not just a dessert, but a healthy and vibrant addition to any meal, from a backyard BBQ to an elegant outdoor dinner party.
The Perfect Pairing: Homemade Coconut Cream
While grilled stone fruit is undoubtedly delicious on its own, adding a dollop of sweet homemade coconut cream takes this dessert to an entirely new level. The coconut cream is truly the “cherry on top” – or rather, the creamy cloud on top! It’s lightly sweetened, incredibly thick, and boasts a fluffy texture that provides a wonderful contrast to the warm, softened fruit. The cool cream against the warm fruit is a sensory delight, creating a balanced and refreshing experience.
Making homemade coconut cream is surprisingly easy and requires minimal effort. The key is to use full-fat coconut milk that has been thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the thick, creamy part to separate from the thinner liquid. When whipping, it transforms into a rich, luscious topping that’s naturally dairy-free and vegan, making this entire dessert accessible to a wider audience. Be sure to double-check your coconut milk label – we once mistakenly bought a can with “coconut extract,” water, and xanthan gum, which simply won’t yield the same thick, whip-able cream. Always opt for 100% full-fat coconut milk for the best results!
Tips for Grilling Stone Fruit to Perfection
Achieving perfectly grilled stone fruit is simpler than you might think. Here are a few essential tips to ensure your dessert turns out irresistible every time:
- Choose Ripe, Firm Fruit: While ripeness is crucial for flavor, ensure your stone fruit isn’t overly soft. Slightly firm fruit will hold its shape better on the grill and won’t turn mushy.
- Prepare Your Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. A hot grill ensures good caramelization and distinct grill marks. Make sure the grates are clean to prevent sticking.
- Lightly Oil the Fruit: Before placing them on the grill, lightly brush the cut sides of your peaches and plums with a neutral oil like coconut oil or avocado oil. This helps prevent sticking and promotes beautiful caramelization.
- Grill Cut-Side Down First: Always start with the cut side down on the hot grill. This is where you’ll get those appealing grill marks and intense caramelization.
- Don’t Overcook: Stone fruit cooks quickly on the grill. Typically, 3-5 minutes per side is sufficient, or until the fruit softens and grill marks appear. You want them tender, not mushy.
- Rotate for Crosshatch Marks: For those coveted crosshatch grill marks, place the fruit on the grill, cook for about 2-3 minutes, then rotate it 90 degrees and cook for another 2-3 minutes before flipping.
- Experiment with Seasonings: A sprinkle of cinnamon is classic, but consider a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a drizzle of balsamic glaze after grilling for an extra layer of flavor.
This naturally vegan and gluten-free dessert is not only delicious but also incredibly wholesome. Stone fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making this a guilt-free indulgence. The vibrant colors of summer fruits truly shine, requiring no fancy embellishments – they are beautiful, juicy, and welcoming just as they are. That’s why I have an ongoing obsession with seasonal fruits; they bring so much joy and brightness to the table.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
While the classic combination of grilled stone fruit with coconut cream and cinnamon is divine, don’t hesitate to get creative with your serving! Here are a few ideas:
- Maple Syrup Drizzle: A light drizzle of maple syrup after grilling enhances the sweetness and adds a lovely glaze.
- Vegan Ice Cream: A scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla or strawberry ice cream alongside the warm fruit creates a delightful hot-and-cold sensation.
- Chopped Nuts: A sprinkle of toasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds can add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Beyond mint, consider a few sprigs of fresh basil or thyme for an unexpected herbaceous note that pairs beautifully with peaches.
- A Unique Pizza Topping: As a fun bonus idea, grilled peaches are ridiculously delicious on a savory pizza. Save some for that unexpected deliciousness!
This recipe is perfect for everything from impromptu summer celebrations to upcoming holidays like Labor Day. It’s quick, impressive, and celebrates the best flavors of the season. You’ll be making this healthy summer dessert all season long, I promise!
Grilled Stone Fruit with Coconut Cream
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Ingredients
Coconut Cream
- 1 can full fat coconut milk, in the fridge overnight
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- mint leaves, to garnish
Grilled Stone Fruit
- 3-5 peaches, pitted and halved
- 7-8 plums, pitted and halved
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- cinnamon, to sprinkle
Instructions
Coconut Cream
- To prepare the coconut cream, ensure your full-fat coconut milk has been refrigerated overnight. This chilling process causes the thick cream to separate and solidify at the top of the can. Carefully turn the can upside down and open it. You should find a small amount of clear liquid on top, with the majority being a very hard, thick cream. Pour out the liquid into a separate container (it can be used in smoothies or other recipes). Scoop the thick, solid coconut cream into a cold mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, whip the coconut cream until it becomes thick and fluffy, which should take approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute. Gradually add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut sugar, or to your preferred sweetness level, and continue whipping until fully incorporated and creamy. If you prefer an unsweetened topping, feel free to omit the sugar.
Grilled Stone Fruit
- Preheat your outdoor grill to a medium-high heat. Allow it to heat thoroughly for a few minutes to ensure even cooking and good grill marks.
- Prepare the peaches and plums by brushing the cut sides generously with coconut oil. This helps prevent sticking and promotes a beautiful caramelization. Have a clean plate or tray ready nearby for easy removal of the grilled fruit.
- Carefully place each stone fruit half, cut-side down, directly onto the preheated grill grates. Close the grill lid and cook for approximately 4-6 minutes. During this time, the fruit will soften, and distinct grill marks will appear. Monitor closely to ensure the fruit doesn’t burn. For an attractive criss-cross pattern, you can rotate each fruit half 90 degrees halfway through the cooking time on the first side. Once tender and nicely charred, remove the grilled fruit from the grill and transfer it to your prepared plate.
- To serve, generously dollop the homemade coconut cream on top of the warm grilled stone fruit. Finish with a delicate sprinkle of cinnamon. For an alternative topping, you can brush the warm fruit with maple syrup immediately after it comes off the grill, or even serve it with a scoop of vegan ice cream for an extra treat! Enjoy your delightful and easy summer dessert!
Notes
- This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it a wonderful option for various dietary needs.
- Feel free to experiment with other types of stone fruit, such as apricots and nectarines. Any stone fruit variety works beautifully in this recipe, allowing you to adapt it based on what’s fresh and in season.
- For an extra indulgent treat, consider topping these warm grilled fruits with a scoop of creamy vegan ice cream. The contrast of warm fruit and cold ice cream is absolutely divine!
If you try these Grilled Stone Fruit with Coconut Cream, please share your experience by letting me know in the comment section below. You can also tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #jessicainthekitchen! For more exclusive recipes and behind-the-scenes content, make sure to follow me on Instagram AND on Snapchat: jessinkitchen. Happy cooking!
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