Baked Sunset Peaches with Amaretti Filling

Ingredients

• 3 ripe yet firm yellow freestone* peaches, without soft spots or blemishes
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons finely ground blanched, peeled almonds (see note below)
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus more to grease baking dish
• Dry white wine or Dry Marsala as needed
• Soft, lightly sweetened whipped cream to garnish

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Generously butter a 9-inch round baking dish, preferably ceramic.

3. 3

   Wash the peaches under cold, running water and pat dry.

4. 4

   Divide each peach in half lengthwise using a sharp knife to cut along the natural crease of the fruit that runs from the stem dimple around its circumference.

5. 5

   Gently twist the peach halves apart to separate them and remove and discard the pits.

6. 6

   Using a melon ball tool or teaspoon, carefully hollow out a round, 1-inch cavity from the center of each peach half, reserving the pulp.

7. 7

   Arrange the peach halves, with cut side facing up, in the baking dish, fitting them snugly and leaning against each another to prevent tipping during baking.

8. 8

   Finely chop the reserved peach pulp and place it in a mixing bowl.

9. 9

   Add 5 tablespoons of the sugar, ground almonds, 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, and any peach juices that may have accumulated on the cutting board.

10. 10

    Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.

11. 11

    Fill each peach hollow with 1-tablespoon almond filling, shaping it into a neat mound about the size of

12. 12

    walnut.

13. 13

    Lightly christen the peaches with the wine by dipping your fingertips in the liquid and flicking it over the fruit. Evenly sprinkle ½-teaspoon of the sugar on the surface of each peach then drizzle the remaining melted butter over them.

14. 14

    Place the baking dish in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the peaches are tender when tested with the point of a knife and the filling is golden and caramelized.

15. 15

    Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes before serving.

16. 16

    Enjoy the baked peaches slightly warm or at room temperature, accompanied with a dollop of softly whipped cream.