Peach Melba

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Cook: 10 min. + chilling

Makes

2 servings

Updated: Aug. 01, 2023
It’s simple to prepare a memorable dessert for just you and someone else. Straight from our Test Kitchen, this yummy classic peach melba recipe features fresh peaches and a super delicious raspberry sauce for drizzling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 medium peach, peeled and halved
  • 2 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam
  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Reduce heat to low. Place peach halves cut side up in pan; cook for 5-8 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat. Cool peaches in syrup for 30 minutes.
  2. Remove peaches with a slotted spoon and place cut side down in a shallow dish. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 2-4 hours.
  3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat raspberry jam for 20 seconds; stir until smooth. Place peach halves cut side up in dessert dishes. Top with ice cream; drizzle with jam.
Peach Melba Tips

Why is it called peach melba?

Peach melba is a classic dessert made with poached peaches and raspberry sauce, served over vanilla ice cream. Legend has it that the renowned French chef, Auguste Escoffier, invented this dish and named it as a tribute to singer Nellie Melba.

How can you make peach melba your own?

To make this peach melba recipe your own, try grilling the peaches instead of poaching them. You can also experiment with using other types of stone fruit, such as nectarines, apricots or plums. To keep things classic, add a few light touches to the dish such as sprinkling on mint, lavender or chopped nuts just before serving. To lighten up the dessert, swap in vanilla Greek yogurt for the ice cream.

When do you serve peach melba?

The best time to serve peach melba is when peaches are in season. Recipes with fresh peaches definitely taste better when the fruit is fresh off the tree, no matter what type of peach you choose! Peaches are typically in season between May and late September, depending on your area’s climate and growing season.

Can you make peach melba ahead of time?

Peach melba can be prepared ahead of time, but we recommend compiling the dessert just before serving. You can poach the peaches up to three days in advance, storing them in their poaching liquid in the refrigerator. Then, when you’re ready to eat, assemble the dessert by arranging the poached peaches on top of the ice cream, drizzling with raspberry jam and adding any desired garnishes.

—Lindsay Mattison, Taste of Home Contributing Writer

Nutrition Facts

1 peach half with 1/2 cup ice cream and 1 tablespoon jam: 317 calories, 7g fat (5g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (57g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.