Alchermes Faux Peaches: Italian Cream-Filled Delights

Faux Peaches with Alchermes (Finte Pesche all’Alchermes)

These delicate Italian sweets, known as Finte Pesche all’Alchermes, are a true masterpiece of the culinary world. Resembling peaches in both shape and color, they are made from soft, buttery dough filled with a creamy custard, then dipped in vibrant Alchermes liqueur and coated in sugar. This dessert, with its colorful exterior and luscious filling, is perfect for impressing guests at a dinner party or as a special treat to celebrate festive occasions. Although their appearance is stunning, they are surprisingly easy to make. Let’s dive into the detailed recipe and create these beautiful faux peaches!

Ingredients

This recipe yields about 15 pieces, each one a mini masterpiece. Gather your ingredients and prepare to indulge in a delicious homemade treat.

Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to prepare your Finte Pesche all’Alchermes. Patience and precision will reward you with a treat that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

1. Prepare the Dough:
   In a food processor (or in a large mixing bowl if you prefer to knead by hand), combine 500g of flour, 16g of baking powder, 1 packet of vanilla sugar, 175g of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add 100g of softened butter to the dry ingredients. Pulse or mix everything together until the butter is incorporated into the flour mixture and forms a crumbly texture.

2. Add Liquids:
   Crack 3 eggs into the mixture and gradually add just enough whole milk (about 4 tablespoons at first) to form a soft, pliable dough. You might need to adjust the amount of milk to achieve a dough that is workable with your hands but not too sticky.

3. Shape the Dough:
   Flour your hands lightly, then take spoonfuls of dough and roll them into small balls, about the size of a walnut. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart to allow for even baking.

4. Bake the Dough:
   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the dough balls into the preheated oven and bake them for 15-20 minutes. The cookies should remain pale, with no significant browning. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking. Once done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.

5. Prepare the Custard Filling:
   While the dough is cooling, prepare the custard filling. In a saucepan, combine 500ml of whole milk, 40g of all-purpose flour, 180g of sugar, and the zest of 1 lemon. Whisk the mixture over medium heat until it thickens into a smooth custard. Remove it from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

6. Assemble the Pesche:
   Once the baked dough balls have cooled, take a small spoon or a melon baller and gently hollow out the center of each ball, leaving a small shell. Be careful not to break them.

7. Fill with Custard:
   Using a piping bag fitted with a plain tip, fill each hollowed-out dough ball with the cooled custard filling. Ensure that the custard is evenly distributed in each piece.

8. Shape the Peaches:
   Pair up two filled halves of dough, pressing their flat sides together to form a peach shape. Continue this process with the remaining dough and custard.

9. Drench in Alchermes:
   Pour the Alchermes liqueur into a small bowl. Quickly dip each of the formed “peaches” into the Alchermes, allowing it to soak for just a second. Don’t leave them in for too long, or they might become too soggy. Let any excess liqueur drip off.

10. Coat in Sugar:
    After dipping in Alchermes, immediately roll each peach in a small bowl of granulated sugar to coat them evenly. This step adds a lovely sweetness and a slight crunch to the exterior.

11. Chill the Pesche:
    Once your Finte Pesche all’Alchermes are coated in sugar, place them on a plate and refrigerate them for at least an hour. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the custard to set inside the dough.

12. Decorate and Serve:
    Before serving, decorate each peach with small green leaves made from sugar paste, marzipan, or wafer paper. These little decorative touches will give your Finte Pesche an extra flourish, making them even more lifelike.

After the chilling time, your Finte Pesche all’Alchermes are ready to be enjoyed! These beautiful, peach-shaped delights are perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a holiday gathering, a dinner party, or simply a way to treat yourself to something special. The combination of soft dough, creamy filling, and the tangy sweetness of Alchermes makes for a memorable dessert that will impress your guests and leave them craving more.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approx.)

Each serving of Finte Pesche all’Alchermes offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures—soft dough, creamy custard, and a sweet, sugar-coated finish. These are rich, indulgent sweets that are perfect for sharing with friends and family during any special occasion.