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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cream

    Aug 20, 2014(updated Jul 20, 2022)

    By Michelle Weiner

    These Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cream are a simple, yet elegant summer dessert. The easy port reduction on top makes every bite that much more indulgent!
    No ratings yet
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    These Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cream are a simple, yet elegant summer dessert. The easy port reduction on top makes every bite that much more indulgent!

    grilled peaches topped with mascarpone cream and port reduction on a white plate.

    A summer dessert for fancy and everyday occasions

    Grilled fruit is an underrated treat. The heat enhances the sweetness and makes peaches, pineapple, and melon taste subtly smoky and even more delicious. Top that fruit with cool and creamy toppings and you have the ultimate summer dessert.

    You’ll find all of these qualities and more in these Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cream. Halved peaches grill on the barbecue for a few minutes before they’re topped with vanilla-infused mascarpone cream and port reduction. It’s a great way to take advantage of those juicy summer peaches!

    Every bite is sweet, creamy, and juicy. It may sound like a fancy and complicated dessert, but the recipe is fairly simple. You’ll want to serve grilled peaches for all of your summer events!

    3 images showing how you slice and grill peaches.

    Ingredients you need

    Grilled peaches are the star of this summer dessert, but the toppings truly make it special. This is what you need:

    Peaches

    This fuzzy fruit is a summer staple. The best peaches for grilling are yellow peaches or freestone peaches. Only grill peaches that are perfectly ripe and feel slightly firm when squeezed. 

    The heat from the grill will enhance the peaches’ natural sweetness and bring out all of their delicious juices. They’ll taste refreshing, and the tender and soft texture makes them easy to bite into.

    Pro tip: Get your hands on as many ripe summer peaches as possible! The extras make for a delicious snack or topping on granola, can be sliced and used in white wine sangria, and even blended for a bellini.

    Mascarpone cheese

    Mascarpone is a soft and spreadable Italian cheese. It’s acidic, like cream cheese, but richer and smoother in texture. You’ll often see mascarpone used as a filling in desserts (like tiramisu and my coconut icebox cake) but it can also be stuffed in pasta and used as a dip with fresh fruit.

    While mascarpone cheese is rich and delicious on its own, it needs a few extra ingredients if it’s going to be piped onto grilled fruit. That’s where heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt come in. These flavor-boosters enhance the topping while the granulated sugar gives the whipped mascarpone structure and stability.

    The one downfall to Italian mascarpone is that it can be expensive. Thankfully, you can make homemade mascarpone cheese using just two inexpensive ingredients: heavy cream and lemon juice!

    Port wine

    A rich and sweet port wine reduction takes this dessert from good to great. Port wine is easy to reduce too. Simply throw it in a pot, let it cook and reduce, then drizzle it over the whipped mascarpone on top of the grilled peaches. Yum!

    a spoon drizzling port reduction over mascarpone cream on top of a grilled peach.

    Tips and tricks

    Your grilled peaches will always turn out just right when you keep these tips in mind:

    Butter the peaches

    Brush the cut side of the halved peaches with melted butter before they go on the grill. This helps with aesthetics and prevents the peaches from drying out.

    Use a piping bag

    Transfer that gorgeous whipped mascarpone cream into a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the cream on top of the peaches for a fancy presentation!

    close up on a grilled peach topped with mascarpone cream and port reduction.

    Customize the dessert

    There are a few ways you can customize grilled peaches with mascarpone:

    • Instead of peaches - Grill another summer fruit you love, like plums, nectarines, or watermelon. They’ll all taste great when topped with mascarpone.
    • Instead of mascarpone - Keep it simple and top the peaches with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
    • Instead of port wine - Use balsamic reduction.
    • Add toppings - Like crushed nuts, fresh mint or basil leaves, and a drizzle of honey.

    Make ahead tips

    The port reduction and mascarpone cream can both be made ahead of time. Keep them in separate airtight containers in the fridge until it’s time to serve.

    a fork taking a bite out of a grilled peach topped with mascarpone cream on a white plate.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I have to have a grill to make this recipe?

    No, you don’t have to have an outdoor grill to make this recipe. Instead, use a grill pan on the stove.

    How do you know when peaches have finished grilling?

    The halved peaches should only need to grill for about 6 to 8 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when you see dark grill marks and they start to soften.

    Should grilled peaches be served hot or cold?

    It’s up to you! They taste great hot off the grill or chilled in the fridge for a few minutes. Cold grilled peaches also won’t melt the mascarpone cream as quickly.

    Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cream

    These Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone Cream are a simple, yet elegant summer dessert. The easy port reduction on top makes every bite that much more indulgent!
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    Author: Michelle Weiner
    Course: Dessert
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Makes: 8

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups port
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ cup mascarpone cheese
    • 1 tbsp. sugar
    • ¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract
    • pinch of salt
    • 4 ripe but firm peaches halved and pits removed
    • Optional: melted butter

    Instructions

    • Place port in a small pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until you have ¼ cup remaining, about 30 minutes. Place in the refrigerator to cool.
    • While port reduction is cooling, make the mascarpone cream.
    • Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the mascarpone cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt on medium speed until well mixed, about 30 seconds.
    • Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and slowly stream the whipping cream. Once all of it is added, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and return the mixer to medium speed. Whisk until firm peaks form, about 1 minute. Place the cream into the refrigerator.
    • To grill the peaches, bring a grill pan or grill to medium-low heat. I you like, brush each peach half with the melted butter and place on the grill pan. Grill the peach halves until they are slightly softened and have dark grill marks, 6 to 8 minutes.
    • Allow the peaches to cool slightly, top the peaches with the mascarpone cream and drizzle with the port reduction.
    Did you make this recipe?Share a pic and tag @cupofzest and use #cupofzest so I can see it!

    Notes

    You can make the port reduction and the mascarpone cream ahead of time. Just let the port reduction come to room temp before using or else it will be too thick to pour.
    Brushing the peaches with butter before grilling will keep the cut portion of the peaches from drying out (totally an aesthetic thing).
    These are also great chilled! Feel free to grill the peaches, allow them to cool a bit, and then chill them before topping with the cream and port reduction.
    Feel free to pipe the mascarpone cream onto your peaches if you want to make them look fancy!
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    Comments

    1. Dani @ The Adventure Bite says

      May 06, 2015 at 8:26 am

      Oh my gawd!! These look amazing! Come make these for me pretty please?? I miss you!

      Reply
    2. Suzanne @ Flour Arrangements says

      September 13, 2014 at 11:19 pm

      Love mascarpone cream! These look fabulous. Totally gonna make them before the peaches disappear!

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        September 15, 2014 at 9:40 am

        Thanks so much Suzanne! Yup...get on those peaches now 🙂 I am having a difficult time even now finding some that are delicious.

        Reply
    3. Kassandra says

      August 24, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      SO GOOD! My boyfriend and I made six and ate ALL of them in one sitting. Embarrassingly delicious! Plus, it was much easier to make than I originally expected. Paired with a chilled Chardonnay--amazing!

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        August 27, 2014 at 12:19 pm

        Thanks for the wine recommendation!

        Reply
    4. dina says

      August 21, 2014 at 8:17 pm

      these look amazing. that mascarpone cream looks great!

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        August 22, 2014 at 3:08 pm

        Thanks so much for the compliment!

        Reply
    5. Umm Haneefah says

      August 21, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      This looks really good! It's peach season in Ontario now so I should jump on it. Since port is sweet, I think subbing a Bordeaux or Merlot grape juice will work out fine for a halal version.

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        August 21, 2014 at 5:35 pm

        Thanks! I've never reduced grape juice before, have you? I'd love to hear how it goes!

        Reply
    6. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

      August 21, 2014 at 2:31 pm

      loved grilled peaches, can't remember the last time i made some. definitely inspired to recreate the recipe tonight!

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        August 21, 2014 at 3:04 pm

        Yay! I am glad you are going to grill up some peaches tonight! Even if you don't follow my recipe I am sure you will come up with some delicious results 🙂

        Reply
    7. Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says

      August 21, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Oh my sounds too delicious!!! Love peaches...Cheryl.

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        August 21, 2014 at 3:03 pm

        I LOVE peaches too Cheryl! I got these beauties at our local farmer's market and they were so juicy! I will be sad when the season is over so I need to take advantage of them now 🙂

        Reply
    8. nicole (thespicetrain.com) says

      August 21, 2014 at 9:47 am

      You already had me at grilled peaches but mascarpone cream and port reduction, oh my goodness, sounds almost too good to be true. Delicious!

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        August 21, 2014 at 2:37 pm

        Seriously Nicole...these are sooo good! 🙂 By the way, your poached pear recipe photo the other day is super beautiful!

        Reply
    9. sarah says

      August 21, 2014 at 9:38 am

      Oh My Goodness!!! Tried this last night and was so amazing!!!! Such a fun and delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        August 21, 2014 at 2:58 pm

        Sarah, you are too sweet! I am glad you came over and could eat my leftovers from recipe testing 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Michelle and welcome to the party!

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