Just a few days ago it was officially my sixth blogiversary. As always, I am celebrating with a pie. Before we get to that pie, let’s talk about blogging.
I know it’s cliché, but I really can’t believe it’s been six years. Where has the time gone?
I feel like I should have more to show for six years of consistent work. More comments. More fans. More followers. In the past, I have spent a lot of time focused on that, and sometimes it still comes to mind, but I have learned recently that I need to stop comparing myself to other and compare myself to … well … myself.
My photos, for example, may not be the best out there. I am not about to pretend they are. But they are better than they used to be. A lot better. Dare I say some of them are even good.
My recipes might not always be on trend (like this one perhaps). They might not be unicorn inspired or perfectly plated, but I can assure you they are damn tasty. I mean a flourless peanut butter cookie with scraggy edges that might be a little under or overbaked almost always beats an over the top multicolored creation that probably looks a lot better than it tastes.
I used to fret over a lot more things. Get super stressed and upset about my blog, my posts, other people’s blogs, other people’s posts. Now I have fallen into a routine. My blog is a job and I am giving it my all. Feeling that way has relieved some of the stress and I find joy from blogging sometimes. I hope you also find joy from my blog. And if you don’t, I’m sure there is another blog out there for you.
Back to this not on trend, totally not seasonal but absolutely positively delicious recipe. I absolutely love the Caramel Apple Pie I made awhile back but peaches > apples in my world, so I made a peach version. No, it is not peach season. Yes, you can make this with frozen, thawed, and drained peaches. Also, imported peaches are available and are better this year than ever.
Gooey peach filling, flaky crust, rich caramel: what more do we need to celebrate a blogiversary??? Can’t wait to see what this year has in store.
Caramel Peach Pie + Blogiversary
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup shortening (organic if possible)
- 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 4–6 tablespoons very cold water
Caramel
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
Filling
- 8 cups peaches, sliced ¼ inch thick
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (a bit more if using frozen peaches)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
Instructions
- Make the crust. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, and salt. Add the shortening and butter and work into the flour mixture with fingers or a pastry cutter. Once only small pieces of the shortening and butter remain, add water slowly, working until a workable but not wet dough is formed. This may also be done in a food processor. Divide the dough into two equal pieces, wrap each with plastic and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
- While the dough chills, make the caramel. In a small saucepot, stir together the sugar, water, and butter over medium high heat until melted. Stop stirring and cook until the caramel turns a deep amber color. This will take several minutes but turns quickly toward the end of the process so do not walk away.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the cream. Stir it in, placing back over the heat if necessary until a smooth caramel forms. Pour into a bowl and stir in the sea salt. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Once the crust has chilled, remove one piece from the refrigerator and roll it on a floured surface so it is large enough to cover your pie pan with overhang. It should be roughly ¼ inch thick. Fit it into the pie pan, return to the refrigerator, and roll out the other half so it is about the same size and thickness. Return it to the refrigerator as well.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Make the filling, stir together the peaches, cornstarch, lemon juice, bourbon, and about 1/3 cup of the caramel. It’s okay to use a little extra 😉
- Remove the pie crust from the refrigerator and pour the filling into the pan. Top with the other piece of crust and crimp the edges however you wish. Cut a few slits on the top of the pie. Drizzle with caramel so the entire top is covered. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Place the pie pan on a foil lined baking sheet (this is so important to catch drips) and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, checking a couple times to ensure the crust is browning evenly. Tent with foil if necessary to prevent the crust from burning. Pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Cool at least 2 hours before serving.
- Pie may be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen in quarters, wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to three months. Thaw in a 350 degree F oven for about 30 minutes.
Notes
Caramel adapted from Four and Twenty Blackbirds
Additional chilling time is necessary
Congrats! And this pie?!! Yum!
Thank you!!!
Happy blogiversary girl!!!!
I totally relate to having to let go of feeling like we’re not doing well enough, it’ll be 7 years for me this year and I’m actually not doing as well as I used to. BUT I’ve also made the blog more of a hobby because…life lol. So good for you for your perspective and here’s to lots more delicious years!
Thanks, Kayle! Yeah, I try to have perspective, but sometimes it kind of goes away :/ We just have to do the best we can.
Happy blogiversary, girl! I think you definitely need to give yourself more credit for the amazing heart and soul that you pour into your work here. Celebrate and embrace it, because you’re reaching folks who love hearing what you have to share with this world <3
Wow! Thank you for the thoughtful and inspiring comment, Ala! Are you available for weekly pep talks??? 🙂
Happy sixth blogiversary! Time has really flown, hasn’t it? You’re so right about that! Congrats on all your great work. And thanks for the pie! 🙂
Thanks, John!