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Peach season only comes around once a year, and these baked peaches are exactly how I think you should be spending it! Warm, tender, juicy peaches baked with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until they’re soft and bubbling – then topped with a scoop of homemade no-churn vanilla bean ice cream that takes ’em over the freaking top. It’s the kind of dessert that looks and tastes like you spent hours on it, but it’s really just 4 simple ingredients and about 25 minutes of oven time. This is the dessert I make every single summer when peaches are at their absolute best!

The homemade vanilla bean ice cream is the real showstopper here, and the best part is that you don’t need an ice cream maker to make it. Just whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla bean — that’s it. It’s rich, creamy, studded with real vanilla bean, and the perfect partner for warm baked peaches. If you love easy, no-fuss summer desserts, you’ll also want to try my 4-Ingredient Peach Cobbler for another way to enjoy those summer peaches!

Why You’ll Love This Baked Peaches Recipe

  • Just 4 ingredients. Peaches, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. That’s the entire list for the peaches themselves – simple, classic, and absolutely delicious.
  • Perfect for summer. This is peak peach season magic! Warm, juicy, caramelized fruit, and it makes the most of those perfectly ripe peaches sitting on your counter.
  • Super easy to make. No special equipment, no complicated steps. If you can slice a peach in half, you can make this dessert. The oven does almost all of the work.
  • Totally delicious. Tender, caramelized peaches with a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, topped with rich homemade vanilla bean ice cream – this is the kind of dessert that feels fancy but is genuinely effortless!
  • No ice cream maker needed. The homemade vanilla bean ice cream comes together with just 3 ingredients and a hand mixer. No churning, no special equipment – just whip, mix, and freeze!
baked peach in a bowl with two scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream and a spoon.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

  • Make it dairy-free/vegan: Swap the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil in the peaches. For the ice cream, use a can of full-fat coconut cream in place of the heavy whipping cream (chill it well before whipping) and a dairy-free sweetened condensed milk alternative, such as coconut condensed milk.
  • Brown Sugar: Coconut sugar makes a great natural substitute and adds a similar caramel-like depth. Maple syrup or honey also work – drizzle over the peaches instead of sprinkling.
  • Cinnamon: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger alongside the cinnamon for extra warmth and spice.
  • Add a Splash of Liquor: For an adults-only version, add a splash of bourbon, rum, or brandy to the butter and brown sugar mixture before baking for a deeper, more sophisticated flavor.
  • No vanilla bean? No problem. Vanilla bean paste or even plain vanilla extract both work wonderfully in the ice cream if you don’t have a whole vanilla bean on hand.
  • Skip the ice cream: If you’re short on time, these baked peaches are also delicious served with a dollop of Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or even on their own!
homemade vanilla bean ice cream in a container being scooped.

Sam’s Recipe Tips

  • Use ripe but firm peaches. Peaches that are too soft will turn mushy and fall apart in the oven. Look for peaches that give just slightly when pressed and smell fragrant at the stem – that’s the sweet spot.
  • Make the ice cream ahead of time. Since the ice cream needs at least 4 hours to freeze solid, make it the night before or earlier in the day so it’s ready to scoop the moment your peaches come out of the oven.
  • Don’t overmix the ice cream base. When folding the sweetened condensed milk into the whipped cream, be gentle. Overmixing can deflate the whipped cream and result in a denser, less airy ice cream.
  • Let the peaches cool slightly before serving. Straight out of the oven, the peaches will be very hot and the ice cream will melt almost instantly. A few minutes of cooling time lets you enjoy the perfect balance of warm peach and melty ice cream without it turning into a puddle.
  • Don’t skip the butter pat in each cavity. It melts down and mixes with the brown sugar and peach juices to create a rich, buttery sauce that pools in the bottom of the baking dish – make sure to spoon some of that sauce over the peaches when serving!
close up image of baked peaches in a baking dish.
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4-Ingredient Baked Peaches with Homemade No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

These baked peaches are warm, tender, and caramelized with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon – made with just 4 simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes! Topped with a scoop of homemade no-churn vanilla bean ice cream (no ice cream maker required!), this is the ultimate easy summer dessert that tastes far more impressive than the effort it takes to make. If you're looking for an easy baked peaches recipe that's perfect for peak peach season, this is the one to make this weekend!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl
  • 1 hand or stand mixer
  • 1 baking dish

Ingredients

  • 4 fresh peaches halved and pitted
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the homemade vanilla bean ice cream:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 scraped vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Start by making the homemade vanilla bean ice cream (or skip to Step 4 to make the baked peaches) by pouring the heavy whipping cream into a clean bowl and beating with either a hand or stand mixer until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the can of sweetened condensed milk and the scraped inside of a vanilla bean pod or vanilla bean paste, and gently mix until completely combined.
  • Transfer the ice cream mixture to a container and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until solid before scooping and serving with the baked peaches.
  • For the baked peaches, preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  • Arrange the peach halves in a baking dish, cut-side facing up. Place a piece of butter on top of each peach.
  • Then, sprinkle ½ tablespoon of brown sugar on each peach, before sprinkling the peaches evenly with cinnamon.
  • Bake the peaches for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re soft and easily pierced with a fork. Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving warm with a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream!

Notes

  • Use ripe but firm peaches so they hold their shape in the oven.
  • Make the ice cream ahead of time — it needs at least 4 hours to fully freeze.
  • For dairy-free, use coconut cream and a dairy-free condensed milk alternative.
  • Store leftover baked peaches in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
  • Store leftover ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Strawberry season is my FAVE! Not only are these little red fruits totally sweet and utterly delicious, but they’re a sign of warmer weather to come. And that just makes me the happiest! I kicked off strawberry season strong this year with my 6-ingredient gluten-free strawberry shortcake, then kept the party going with healthy strawberry peanut butter cups. And you better believe that as soon as I’m no longer pregnant, I’ll be shaking myself up a skinny strawberry margarita – SO delicious and refreshing!

But the strawberry recipes don’t end there! This strawberry peanut butter chocolate bark is my take on a TikTok recipe that went viral last summer. It’s easy, healthier, perfectly sweet, and made with just 3 simple ingredients. This is also one of those recipes I recommend keeping a batch of in your freezer at all times.. ya know, in case of an emergency. And the amazing thing about this no-bake strawberry bark is you can make it during strawberry season and keep it frozen for months! Well, if it lasts that long. 😉

Why You’ll LOVE This Strawberry Peanut Butter Chocolate Bark

  • Made with just 3 simple ingredients.
  • A no-bake recipe that comes together in minutes!
  • Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
  • Low in sugar with wholesome ingredients.
  • Perfect for a make-ahead freezer treat or healthy snack!
three pieces of healthy strawberry peanut butter chocolate bark on top of each other.

What Makes This Recipe Healthy

  • No added refined sugar – this recipe uses the natural sweetness of strawberries instead of relying on a bunch of sugar to sweeten it!
  • Healthy fats from peanut butter, but feel free to use any nut or seed butter you prefer.
  • Whole food ingredients only – no additives, preservatives, or just plain weird ingredients.
  • Vegan and dairy-free when using plant-based chocolate chips!
healthy strawberry peanut butter chocolate bark on parchment paper.

Sam’s Recipe Tips

  • For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped almonds or puffed quinoa on top before freezing.
  • Want it sweeter? Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup over the strawberries before the peanut butter!
  • Use a silicone spatula to spread the chocolate smoothly and avoid lifting the layers underneath.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. I can’t guarantee it’ll last that long though!
overhead image of pieces of healthy strawberry peanut butter chocolate bark on parchment paper.
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3-Ingredient Healthy Strawberry Peanut Butter Chocolate Bark

This healthy strawberry peanut butter chocolate bark is made with just 3 simple ingredients and takes only minutes to prep! It's a delicious no-bake treat that's vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low in sugar. Perfect for a freezer-friendly snack or healthy dessert everyone will love!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 baking sheet

Ingredients

  • 10 large strawberries thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup melted chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then arrange the strawberry slices on the parchment paper in rows to form a large rectangle.
  • Spread the peanut butter on top of the strawberries in an even layer, then pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter. Gently spread the chocolate to form an even layer on top of the peanut butter.
  • Transfer the strawberry bark to the freezer for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate had hardened, then cut the bark into individual pieces and either enjoy right away or store in the freezer for later!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Sugar: 7g

This hearty Mexican soup is full of fresh, delicious flavor! The perfect quick and easy dinner recipe to throw together on a busy weeknight. Requires only a handful of simple ingredients, cooked in one pot, in just 30 minutes!

overhead image of Mexican soup with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and tortillas on top.

What You’ll Need to Make Mexican Soup

Chicken – This recipe calls for chicken breasts, but really any cut of chicken will work. My one recommendation when it comes to buying your chicken, is to make sure it’s boneless and skinless. This’ll make the cooking and dicing process much easier! Also, for a vegan/vegetarian Mexican soup, check out the “Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs” section below.

Chicken Broth – I used chicken bone broth in my Mexican soup for an extra boost of nutrients. However, any chicken broth, or even chicken bouillon dissolved in water will do the trick. And if you don’t have chicken broth, feel free to use vegetable broth instead.

Taco Seasoning – Two tablespoons of taco seasoning load this soup up with TONS of delicious flavor! This addition makes this recipe even easier to throw together. Though if you don’t have taco seasoning, feel free to use a combo of your favorite Mexican spices. I love smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano.

Jalapeño – While optional, I love throwing in a diced jalapeño for extra flavor and spice! However, for a mild soup, try just half a jalapeño. Or, feel free to leave it out altogether.

mexican chicken soup in a bowl with a spoon.

Tips and Tricks

  • I highly recommend doubling this recipe! Leftover Mexican soup tastes just as good, and is easy to reheat and enjoy all week long. Heck, you can even freeze it for up to three months!
  • For a heartier meal, add rice! I love adding in a cup or two of cooked rice to my soup. And to keep things super easy, I typically opt for a pre-cooked microwaveable rice.
  • You can also make this Mexican soup in the Instant Pot! To do that, use the sauté function to cook up with veggies. Then, add the remaining ingredients, seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the chicken, dice it up, then add it back into your soup – that’s it!
close-up overhead image of Mexican soup with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and tortillas on top.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan/Vegetarian: For a vegan or vegetarian Mexican soup, replace the chicken with two cans of your favorite beans – I love either black beans or navy beans! Also, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth.

Make it Gluten-Free: While mostly gluten-free, make sure the taco seasoning you use is 100% gluten-free as well!

overhead image of Mexican soup with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and tortillas on top.
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One-Pot Mexican Soup

This hearty Mexican soup is full of fresh, delicious flavor! The perfect quick and easy dinner recipe to throw together on a busy weeknight. Requires only a handful of simple ingredients, cooked in one pot, in just 30 minutes!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 quart chicken broth
  • 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1-2 pounds chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • salt, to taste

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, Add in the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and jalapeño. Cooked 4-5 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
  • Add in chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, chicken, taco seasoning, and salt.
  • Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer, cook uncovered for 20 minutes. Remove chicken from pot, dice into ½-inch pieces, then transfer back into pot. Stir to combine then serve warm with fresh cilantro, lime juice, avocado, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

This fully loaded harvest bowl is packed with seasonal ingredients, fresh flavor, and finished off with a dreamy maple dijon vinaigrette! Perfect to meal prep ahead of a busy week, or quickly throw together as an easy meal in under 30 minutes.

maple dijon dressing being poured over a harvest bowl

What You’ll Need to Make a Harvest Bowl

Sweet Potato – Peel and cube two sweet potatoes before roasting. Or, if you’d like, replace the sweet potato with your favorite squash. Peeled and cubed butternut squash, sliced acorn squash, or even sliced delicata squash would all taste great in this harvest bowl!

Chicken – Two boneless and skinless chicken breasts are lightly seasoned, then roasted to perfection! For a vegan option, see the “make it vegan” section below.

Quinoa – Any variety of quinoa is jam-packed with health benefits! It’s full of nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, fiber, and is a complete protein. Talk about a superfood, eh? Feel free to use whatever kind of quinoa you have handy – white, red, black, or rainbow – they all taste great. Or, if you don’t have quinoa, you can replace it with cooked brown rice, wild rice, buckwheat, farro, or barley.

Kale – Similar to the quinoa, any variety of kale will taste delicious in your harvest bowl. So, use whatever you can get your hands on – curly kale, dino (lacinato) kale, red kale, or even baby kale. Though if using baby kale, no need to massage it, just add straight to your bowl, then toss in dressing.

close-up image of sliced chicken over a meal prep harvest bowl.

Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t skip massaging the kale! This step is super important to achieve nice, and tender kale. Skipping this step will result in tough, and hard-to-chew kale, just all around unappetizing!
  • I highly, HIGHLY, recommend doubling up on the maple dijon salad dressing. It’s seriously the star of this harvest bowl, and you’ll regret not making more. Also, leftovers stay fresh in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three weeks!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: For a healthy, high protein vegan meal, leave out the chicken. Then, either double up on the sweet potatoes, or replace the chicken with a can of drained then rinsed chickpeas!

Make it Paleo/Grain-Free: Simply leave off the quinoa and you’ve got yourself a totally paleo and grain-free harvest bowl.

two meal prep containers showcasing this harvest bowl recipe.

How to Meal Prep This Harvest Bowl

  1. Roast the sweet potatoes and chicken.
  2. Cook the quinoa.
  3. Make the maple dijon dressing.
  4. Massage the kale.
  5. Divide the massaged kale, cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes and chicken, sliced apples, fried cranberries, and sliced almonds between four meal prep containers.
  6. Store remaining dressing separately.
  7. When ready to eat, remove one of your meal prep containers from the fridge and drizzle with some extra maple dijon dressing – enjoy!
a harvest bowl with a fork
5 from 2 votes

Harvest Bowl (easy to meal prep!)

These fully loaded harvest bowls are packed with seasonal ingredients, fresh flavor, and finished off with a dreamy maple dijon vinaigrette! Perfect to meal prep ahead of a busy week, or quickly throw together as an easy meal in under 30 minutes.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1-2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups kale, finely chopped
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds or pumpkin seeds

For the maple dijon dressing:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Place sweet potatoes and chicken breast on a baking sheet, then drizzle with avocado oil, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss potatoes to coat, then roast for 20 minutes, tossing potatoes halfway through.
  • While chicken and potatoes roast, make the dressing by adding all dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
  • Place kale in a bowl with half of the dressing, then toss and massage dressing into the kale with your hands.
  • Once potatoes are tender, remove from the oven and assemble bowls with all ingredients – roasted sweet potatoes, massaged kale, chicken, quinoa, apples, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds. Store with remaining dressing on the side, then top with dressing right before eating.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

This avocado salad is BURSTING with fresh herbs and vegetables! Perfectly ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy red onion tossed in fresh lemon juice and olive oil. This super quick and easy salad recipe comes together in one bowl, and in under 5 minutes!

super close-up image of avocado salad

What You’ll Need To Make Avocado Salad

Avocados – Duh! The main ingredient, the stars of this show, are two perfectly ripe large avocados. How can you tell when an avocado is ripe? Give it a gentle squeeze, and if the skin feels firm but gives a little, then your avocado’s ripe and ready to use in this salad! However, if your avocado feels especially hard and doesn’t give at all when squeezed, then it’s not ripe and should be left at room temperature overnight to ripen.

Lemon Juice – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice gives this salad a nice touch of acidity and brightness! The lemon juice also helps to preserve the freshness of the vegetables in this dish. Though if you don’t have any lemon juice, a touch of apple cider vinegar will work too.

Fresh Herbs – Use any kind of fresh herb you’d like! I used fresh basil and OMG it was delicious. But I’ve also made this plant-based meal with fresh cilantro and fresh parsley, both of which were just as tasty.

Salt – I swear by lightly salting avocado, no matter what dish it’s in. A tiny pinch of salt brings out the rich, creamy, almost buttery taste in avocado. And if you don’t already have some, I highly recommend investing in some flaky sea salt. For this salad recipe, wait until the very end to add the salt. Salt, while enhancing flavor, will also turn the avocado brown. Therefore, to keep your avocado salad looking as bright and fresh as possible, salt the salad right before serving!

avocado salad in a bowl with serving utensils.

Tips and Tricks

  • If you’d like to prep this recipe ahead of time, then prep all ingredients except the avocado. Once avocado is removed from its skin and exposed to air, it’ll brown pretty quickly. This browning doesn’t mean the avocado’s gone bad, and won’t at all affect the taste, though it simply won’t look as pretty. Therefore, chop and prep all other herbs and veggies, then toss in the avocado and salt right before serving to keep it looking vibrant and fresh!
  • Enjoy this avocado salad as-is, or add in your favorite plant-based protein for a heartier meal. A can of drained beans, a cup of lentils, or some crispy cubed tofu would all go perfectly in this salad! Though if not vegan, feel free to serve this salad as a side dish to roast chicken, pan-seared salmon, or really any main course.
  • Store leftover avocado salad in an airtight container. Though before securing the lid, press a piece of plastic wrap over the veggies so that it comes into contact with the top of the salad. This’ll help prevent the avocado from turning brown, and lock in freshness for up to three days!
overhead image of avocado salad in a bowl with lemon on the side

This Avocado Salad Is…

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Fresh Avocado Salad (ready in 5 minutes!)

This avocado salad is BURSTING with fresh herbs and vegetables! Perfectly ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy red onion tossed in fresh lemon juice and olive oil. This super quick and easy salad recipe comes together in one bowl, and in under 5 minutes!
Print Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 large avocados, diced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, and/or basil
  • big pinch of salt
  • fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients except salt and black pepper to a large bowl and toss to combine.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle in salt and black pepper, then eat immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal