Fresh Peach Galette – A Last Taste of Summer

This Fresh Peach Galette with Vanilla & Almond lets ripe summer peaches shine with simple flavors and a golden, flaky crust. No cinnamon, brown sugar, or butter needed.

Fresh Peach Galette – A Last Taste of Summer

There are some summer desserts that just don't need much help.

When peaches are ripe, juicy, and perfectly sweet, I don't want to bury them under brown sugar, cinnamon, or a heavy layer of spices. I want the peaches to taste like peaches.

That's exactly what inspired this Fresh Peach Galette - A Last Taste of Summer.

This is a simple dessert built around ripe summer fruit. The peaches are lightly sweetened and flavored with vanilla, a tiny splash of almond extract, and fresh lemon juice—just enough to enhance their natural flavor without taking over.

And here's another thing I love about this recipe: there's no peeling required. The peach skins stay right on, adding beautiful color and a little texture while saving you from one of the more tedious parts of baking with fresh peaches. Because honestly, peeling peaches can feel like a job all by itself.

There's no brown sugar, no cinnamon, and no butter in the filling. Instead, the fruit stays front and center, tucked into a golden, flaky crust with those beautiful peach juices bubbling around the edges.

And because we're using a ready-made pie crust, this is the kind of summer dessert that feels special without requiring you to spend an afternoon in the kitchen.

Serve it slightly warm on its own, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let the peaches do what they do best.

Enjoy!

-- Ingredients

This galette is intentionally simple. Each ingredient helps highlight the flavor of the fresh peaches without competing with them.

• Fresh Peaches - The star of the recipe. Use ripe peaches that are fragrant and juicy but still firm enough to slice. There's no need to peel them—the skins add beautiful color and a little texture.

• Granulated Sugar - A light amount of sugar enhances the peaches without making the filling overly sweet. If your peaches are especially sweet, you may not need the additional sugar.

• Cornstarch - Helps thicken the peach juices as the galette bakes so the filling isn't overly runny.

• Fresh Lemon Juice - Adds just enough brightness to balance the natural sweetness of the peaches.

• Vanilla Extract - Adds a soft, familiar sweetness that complements the fresh fruit.

• Almond Extract - Just a small amount adds depth and pairs beautifully with peaches. You shouldn't immediately think, "This tastes like almond." It simply gives the filling a little something extra.

• Salt - A tiny pinch helps bring all of the flavors together.

• Refrigerated Pie Crust - The shortcut that makes this an easy summer dessert. No homemade pastry required.

• Egg - Brushed around the crust to give it that beautiful golden finish.

• Coarse Sugar - Optional, but lovely sprinkled around the crust for a little sparkle and crunch.

-- Equipment

You only need a few basics to make this galette:

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• Sharp knife
• Pastry brush
• Cooling rack

My Go-To's

• Parchment paper - this promotes even baking and creates a non-stick surface
• Pastry brush - the easiest way to brush on the egg wash
• Baking sheet - a good sturdy baking sheet will last for years and promote even baking.  No warping here!

-- Let's Make It Together

Slice the peaches and gently toss them with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, almond extract, and salt.

Unroll the pie crust directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle a little sugar in the center. Arrange the peaches in a shallow layer, leaving a border around the edge.

Fold the dough over the peaches in loose pleats, brush the crust with egg wash, and sprinkle with coarse sugar if you'd like.

Bake until the crust is deeply golden and the peach juices are bubbling. Then give the galette at least 30 minutes to cool so those juices can thicken before slicing.

-- Perfecting the Baking Process

• Use Ripe but Firm Peaches - You want peaches that taste sweet and juicy but aren't so soft that they turn to mush when sliced. Slightly firm peaches will hold their shape better as the galette bakes.

• Keep the Filling Shallow - Arrange the peaches in a relatively shallow layer rather than piling them high. I shingled them in concentric circles starting 2 inches from the outside edge of the crust and working in toward the middle.  This helps the fruit cook evenly and allows the juices to bubble and thicken.

• Don't Skip the Sugar Under the Peaches - Sprinkling a little granulated sugar over the center of the dough creates a subtle layer between the crust and fruit. It's a small step that adds a little sweetness where the peaches meet the pastry.

• Watch the Crust - Start checking the galette around 30 minutes. If the crust is becoming too dark before the filling is finished, loosely cover the edges with foil.

• Let It Cool Before Slicing - This is important. The peach juices will continue thickening as the galette cools. Give it at least 30 minutes before slicing for a cleaner slice.

-- Add Your Touch

This recipe is intentionally simple, but there are a few ways you can change it up:

• Add a little more almond extract for a stronger almond flavor.
• Sprinkle sliced almonds over the peaches before baking.
• Add a handful of fresh raspberries or blueberries.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream.
• Add a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.
• If you prefer a sweeter dessert, add the extra teaspoon of sugar to the peaches.

I'd avoid adding cinnamon or warm spices here—they would completely change the personality of this particular galette.

Set the Mood

Meals taste even better when the table feels inviting. Here are a few simple ways to set the mood for this recipe.

A Last Taste of Summer

There is something about late-summer peaches that makes me want to keep the recipe simple.

No cinnamon. No brown sugar. No heavy filling. Just ripe peaches with a little vanilla, a hint of almond, and a golden, flaky crust.

This Fresh Peach Galette – A Last Taste of Summer is exactly the kind of dessert I want to make while beautiful summer peaches are still around. It celebrates the fruit for what it is—and lets you enjoy one more sweet bite of summer before the season changes.

More Peach Recipes to Try

If you're as reluctant as I am to say goodbye to peach season, you might also enjoy:

🍑 Fresh Peach Almond Muffins — Tender, lightly sweetened muffins filled with juicy peaches and finished with crunchy almonds.

🍑 Peach Cucumber Salad with Citrus & Sumac — A vibrant salad with citrus, sumac, and herbs—refreshing, simple, and perfect for the summer-to-fall transition.

🍑 Sweet Peach Dutch Baby with Honey Laced Ricotta — A light and fluffy Dutch Baby pancake filled with juicy ripe peaches.

🍑 Sue's Deep Dish Georgia Peach Cobbler — A light and fluffy Dutch Baby pancake filled with juicy ripe peaches.

Before You Start

Do I need to peel the peaches?
No! That's one of the things I love about this recipe. The skins can stay right on, saving you the extra work of peeling them. They also add beautiful color and a little texture to the finished galette.

What kind of peaches work best?
Use ripe, fragrant peaches that are still firm enough to slice. Very soft or overly ripe peaches can release a lot of juice and become mushy during baking.

Can I use frozen peaches?
Fresh peaches are best for this recipe because they're really the star. Frozen peaches release more moisture and can make the filling wetter.

Why is there sugar under the peaches?
The light layer of sugar adds sweetness to the pastry and creates a little separation between the fruit and crust.

Can I make this with homemade pie dough?
Absolutely. A homemade pie crust would work beautifully if you prefer making your own pastry. The refrigerated crust simply keeps this recipe quick and easy.

How do I know when the galette is done?
The crust should be deeply golden and the peach juices should be visibly bubbling around the fruit.

Why should I let the galette cool before slicing?
The filling needs time to set. As the galette cools, the peach juices thicken, making it easier to slice and serve.