These grilled nectarines showcase summer stone fruit in the best possible way. Topped with crunchy candied pecans and fluffy cinnamon whipped cream, it's a grilled dessert that you'll have on repeat all summer long.
You can't beat peaches, nectarines, and plums eaten out of hand with juice dripping down your arms, but when you want something special to share with friends, or you want to take that sweet stone fruit to the next level, try grilling it. A little smoke and char adds unexpected depth to the sweet stars of summer.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
- Nectarines--Look for firm, unblemished fruits and give only slightly when squeezed. Avoid overripe or bruised fruit as it will turn mushy on the grill.
- Salted butter--I use salted butter here to add a little salt to the dish. If you are using unsalted butter, add a big pinch of salt to your praline mixture when you add the butter and sugar.
- Pecan pieces--You can purchase pecan pieces at the store, or give your whole pecans a rough chop before toasting.
How to Grill Nectarines
1. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Beat in the cinnamon.
2. Brush the nectarine halves with melted butter.
3. Sprinkle cinnamon over the nectarines.
4. Grill the nectarines on both sides until softened.
5. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet.
6. Stir in the butter and brown sugar and cook until melted and bubbling.
FAQs
You can make the cinnamon whipped cream a couple of hours before serving, and you can cook the praline crunch topping up to 3 hours before serving, but the nectarines are best cooked just before serving.
Store the whipped cream in a covered bowl in the fridge. Scoop the praline mixture into a bowl and store at room temperature until you're ready to serve. If it clumps together, gently break the pieces apart with your fingers.
Use a sharp knife to cut around the nectarine from stem to bottom, following the ridge in the fruit. Using two hands, twist the two halves of the nectarine away from each other. One half should pull away from the pit. Use a sharp knife to gently pry the pit out of the other half of the fruit.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Chill your bowl and beaters before whipping the cream to help it stay light and fluffy after beating.
- If you prefer a sweetened whipped cream, beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar when adding the cinnamon.
- Cook time will depend on the ripeness of the nectarines. If your nectarines are very firm, allow for a couple extra minutes of grilling.
- This grilled nectarine recipe is suitable for gluten-free and vegetarian diets.
More Grilled Dessert Recipes You'll Love
Recipe
Grilled Nectarines with Praline Crunch
Equipment
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup whipping cream
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon divided
- 4 tablespoons salted butter divided
- 4 medium nectarines halved and pitted
- ½ cup pecan pieces
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Pour the cream into a medium bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the cream to stiff peaks, about 4 minutes. Beat in ½ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Preheat the grill for medium-high heat (400°F | 200°C).
- Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and brush over the nectarine halves. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Grill the nectarines, flipping once until grill marks appear and they are slightly softened, about 3 minutes per side.
- While the nectarines are grilling, place the pecans in a small skillet and set over medium-low heat. Cook, shaking and stirring occasionally, until the nuts are fragrant and beginning to darken, about 5 minutes. You can do this on a side burner or use a cast iron skillet and do it directly on the grill.
- Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and the brown sugar to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. When the mixture starts to bubble and thicken, remove it from the heat.
- Divide the grilled nectarine halves among 4 plates. Spoon some of the warm praline mixture over the nectarines, and top with a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Keep it cold--Chill your bowl and beaters before whipping the cream to help it stay light and fluffy after beating.
- Sweeten it--If you prefer a sweetened whipped cream, beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar when adding the cinnamon.
- Cooking time--Cook time will depend on the ripeness of the nectarines. If your nectarines are very firm, allow for a couple extra minutes of grilling.
- Dietary--This grilled nectarine recipe is suitable for gluten-free and vegetarian diets.
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