Description
Delight in a warm, gooey Peach Pull-Apart Bread layered with cinnamon-spiced brown sugar and fresh peaches, baked to golden perfection and drizzled with a luscious homemade caramel sauce. This irresistible treat combines fluffy yeast bread with the juicy sweetness of ripe peaches and rich caramel, making it perfect for brunch or a comforting dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus 1/4 cup more if necessary)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
Filling Ingredients
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 dashes salt
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3-4 ripe peaches (about 2 1/2 to 3 cups), peeled and finely chopped
Caramel Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a stand mixer bowl or large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes foamy to ensure the yeast is active.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in the microwave. Add the milk and vanilla extract, then set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add 2 cups of the flour, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir until combined.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs into the mixture, stirring on low speed.
- Add Butter-Milk Mixture and Flour: Gradually pour the butter-milk mixture into the dough while stirring. Slowly add the remaining flour (and the extra 1/4 cup if needed) until the dough forms a ball and cleans the sides of the bowl. Knead on medium speed for 3 to 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a large greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place (such as inside a turned-off oven pre-warmed to 170°F) for about 1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
- Prepare Filling: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt, then set aside.
- Grease Loaf Pan: Thoroughly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and set it aside.
- Prepare Peaches and Butter: Peel and finely chop the peaches into small pieces (about 2 1/2 to 3 cups). Melt 3 tablespoons of butter for brushing later.
- Roll Out Dough: Once the dough has risen, turn it onto a well-floured surface and roll into a rectangle approximately 12×24 inches; the dough will be thin.
- Apply Butter and Sugar Mixture: Brush the rolled dough completely with the melted butter, then evenly sprinkle the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture over the top.
- Cut Dough Strips: Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into 6 long strips, each about 24 inches long.
- Layer With Peaches: Sprinkle about one-sixth of the chopped peaches over the first strip. Carefully place the next strip on top, then add more peaches. Continue stacking strips and peaches alternately until all are used.
- Cut Into Segments: Using a sharp knife, cut the stacked dough into segments sized to fit the loaf pan widthwise.
- Arrange in Pan: Stand the cut segments vertically in the greased loaf pan, stacking them like files in a filing cabinet. Pack them snugly.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes (avoid placing it in the hot oven during this time).
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the bread for 40 to 45 minutes, checking around 30 minutes to avoid over-browning. If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the bread is golden brown.
- Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Make Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons milk. Bring to a boil, then boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Turn the bread out onto a wire rack placed over parchment or wax paper. Drizzle generously with the warm caramel sauce. Serve warm, saving some sauce for dipping if desired.
Notes
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place for best results.
- Use ripe, juicy peaches for optimal flavor and moisture in the bread.
- If the bread browns too quickly during baking, tent with foil to prevent burning.
- The caramel sauce can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated gently before serving.
- For extra flavor, you can add chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the filling layers.
- This bread is best enjoyed warm but can be refrigerated and reheated in a toaster oven or microwave.
