Snotty Noses Happy Parents Raising Healthy Kids by Dr Orlena Kerek, Paediatrician

Baked Peaches are my children’s all time favourite healthy dessert. It is such a healthy, natural dessert. If you have some baked peaches left over, you can serve it for breakfast or for a healthy snack.

I first made it when my oldest son was four. “You’re fablious!” he said (trying to say ‘fabulous’. “Do you mean the peaches are fablious?” I asked. “No!” he replied. “You’re fablious mummy!”

He truly knows the way to his mother’s heart. It’s worth making this dessert just for that warm glow of knowing that you’re providing healthy food that your children love.

Baked Peaches Ingredients

• Peaches (as many as you like but at least 1 each.)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or a vanilla pod)
• 1 cup of water
• Sugar to taste (see note below)

How to Make Baked Peaches

You can either cut them up or leave them whole as you prefer.

1. Cut up peaches.
2. Place in a baking tray.
3. Add water, vanilla and sugar if using.
4. Bake for 30-45 minutes in the oven at 360°F/180°C.

It’s really so easy!

Sugar and Children’s Taste Buds

When I first made baked peaches (before I was on healthy eating mode), I added a small amount of sugar. Now, I don’t use any sugar. My children love them and I don’t need to sell them with extra sugar.

If you think your kids might not like them, you can do the same. Get them used to the idea with a bit of added sugar and gradually reduce it over time.

Baked Peaches as a Healthy Dessert

We like to serve them with a spoonful of greek yoghurt but you could always increase the treat factor by adding cream or ice cream. But seriously, I don’t think they need it. They are so naturally sweet that they don’t need extra sugar like ice cream.

Baked Peaches as a Healthy Breakfast Idea

My kids love to put them on their cereal in the morning, sometimes with yoghurt and sometimes without. I know, it sounds as if they have dessert for breakfast but it’s a great way to make breakfast cereal a little more towards the ‘healthy side’.

Baked Peaches as a Healthy Snack

Yes, I know, it’s still dessert for snack, but it’s much more healthy than biscuits or crisps or other snack food that kids love. And no less healthy than fruit by itself.

Baked Peaches Popsicles

In the summer I put any extra bits into popsicle moulds and freeze them.

As you can see, we eat loads of peaches. None of them go to waste! I’ve even started jarring them so that we can have some during the winter months.

Such an easy and versatile way to serve peaches. Our favourite healthy dessert.