Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie
Summer baking reaches its sweet peak with this Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie — a luscious, rustic dessert bursting with ripe, juicy fruit and elevated by the nutty depth of browned butter. Whether you’re a seasoned home baker or simply craving a crowd-pleasing treat, this pie brings a gourmet twist to a beloved classic.
What sets this pie apart is the caramelized, toasty richness of brown butter, which pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of strawberries and peaches. It’s a flavor-forward, eye-catching dessert that shines at backyard barbecues, potlucks, or Sunday dinner.
Unlike standard fruit pies, this version adds serious flavor complexity. Learn how to brown butter properly from Serious Eats’ expert guide, so your filling delivers that unforgettable nutty aroma. And if you’re unsure about which crust to use, The Kitchn offers tips to help you troubleshoot and perfect the flaky, golden base your pie deserves.
Also, if you’re baking with stone fruits for the first time, Food52 shares tips on balancing juicy summer fruits to avoid soggy bottoms and maximize flavor.
🍑 Why You’ll Love This Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie
- Combines the nutty richness of brown butter with tangy-sweet fruit
- Ideal for summer gatherings or a weekend baking project
- Easy to customize with other fruits and flavor notes
- Visually beautiful with lattice crust or rustic top
- Comforting, homemade taste with a gourmet twist
🛒 Ingredients Breakdown For Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie
Here’s what you’ll need to make the perfect Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie:
🍓 Fruit Filling:
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 3 cups sliced peaches (peeled if desired)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust based on fruit sweetness)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or flour (as thickener)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp browned butter (cooled slightly)
🧈 Brown Butter:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
🥧 Crust:
- 1 homemade or store-bought double pie crust
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar (for topping)
📝 Ingredient Tips:
- Best fruit: Use ripe, seasonal peaches and strawberries. Slightly underripe peaches hold their shape better.
- What is brown butter? It’s regular butter that’s cooked until the milk solids toast and turn golden brown, giving a nutty, caramel-like aroma.
🔥 How to Make Brown Butter
Brown butter brings a rich, nutty depth you won’t get from standard melted butter.
Steps:
- Add ½ cup unsalted butter to a light-colored skillet over medium heat.
- Stir constantly. After melting, the butter will foam, then brown.
- Once the butter smells nutty and golden specks form, remove it immediately from heat.
- Let cool slightly before adding to the fruit mixture.
🍓 Preparing the Pie Filling
Steps:
- Combine sliced strawberries, peaches, sugar, lemon juice, zest, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Let sit for 15–20 minutes to allow fruit to macerate.
- Drain excess liquid if too juicy (prevents soggy crust).
- Toss with cornstarch and browned butter right before assembling.
🥧 Pie Crust Tips
- Homemade crust brings buttery, flaky texture, but store-bought is fine in a pinch.
- Roll out dough to about ¼” thick for best results.
- Chill your crust before baking to prevent shrinkage.
- Use lattice top for a classic look or go rustic with a full crust and vent slits.
Blind Bake or Not?
- For super juicy fruits, blind baking the bottom crust ensures a crisp base.
- If blind baking, use pie weights and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
🧑🍳 Assembling the Pie
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll out bottom crust and place in pie dish.
- Pour in fruit mixture, distributing evenly.
- Top with lattice strips or full top crust.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
- Place pie on baking sheet to catch drips.
⏲️ Baking Instructions
- Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Reduce to 350°F and bake for an additional 30–40 minutes.
- Check for bubbling filling and golden-brown crust.
- Tent with foil if edges begin to brown too quickly.
Moist and fluffy muffins filled with juicy cherries and topped with a sweet crumbly cobbler topping.
🍨 Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy Every Slice
A slice of Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie is already a showstopper, but how you serve it can elevate the experience even more. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh from the oven or the next day, here are some irresistible ways to savor every bite.
🕒 Best Time to Serve
- Serve warm from the oven for the ultimate comforting dessert.
- Let it cool for 2–3 hours if you want clean slices that hold their shape.
- Chill leftovers for a refreshing cold treat—perfect for hot summer days.
🍦 With a Scoop of Ice Cream
The warm fruit and flaky crust pair beautifully with a scoop of:
- Vanilla bean ice cream (classic pairing)
- Honey lavender or cinnamon ice cream for a floral/spicy twist
- Salted caramel gelato to enhance the nutty brown butter
🍋 Fresh Whipped Toppings
- Homemade whipped cream with a touch of lemon zest adds a tangy contrast
- Top with a sprinkle of fresh mint or basil for a refreshing finish
☕ Beverage Pairings
- Pair with a cup of Earl Grey tea, chamomile, or an iced herbal infusion
- For something stronger, try a late-harvest Riesling, Prosecco, or a bourbon cocktail to complement the caramel notes of the pie
No matter how you serve it, this fruit-forward dessert delivers a satisfying balance of sweet, tart, and buttery richness that feels both rustic and elegant.
🧊 Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Proper storage ensures your Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie stays as delicious on day three as it was fresh from the oven. Here’s how to store and prep it like a pro:
📦 Storing Leftovers
- At room temperature: Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap and keep on the counter for up to 24 hours.
- In the refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic. Keeps fresh for 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Warm slices in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10–15 minutes to restore that crisp, flaky texture. Avoid microwaving—this softens the crust.
❄️ Freezing Instructions
- To freeze after baking: Let pie cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To freeze before baking: Assemble the entire pie and freeze unbaked. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra 15–20 minutes to the bake time.
🕓 Make-Ahead Options
- Brown the butter and prep the filling up to 2 days ahead; refrigerate separately.
- Prepare pie crust in advance and freeze or refrigerate until needed.
Planning ahead makes this seasonal showstopper even easier to serve when you need it!
🍓 Pie Variations
One of the best things about Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie is how easily it can be customized to suit your taste, pantry, or the season. Whether you’re working with different fruits, crust types, or flavors, here are a few delicious ways to remix this recipe.
🍇 Add More Summer Fruits
- Swap or combine with blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a medley of summer berries.
- Try nectarines, plums, or apricots for a unique twist that still keeps the stone fruit vibes.
- Add a handful of cherries for deeper sweetness and color.
🌰 Add a Nutty or Herbal Note
- Replace vanilla extract with almond extract to enhance the brown butter’s nutty flavor.
- Finely chop and sprinkle fresh basil or thyme into the filling for a slightly savory, aromatic finish.
- Mix toasted sliced almonds into the top crust or crumble for extra texture.
🥧 Crust Upgrades
- Use a graham cracker or shortbread crust for a less traditional but equally tasty base.
- Skip the top crust and use a streusel topping made with brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon for a crisp texture.
- Make it a galette by folding the crust edges over the fruit filling for a rustic, free-form pie.
🧁 Mini or Hand Pie Version
- Turn the same filling into mini pies or hand pies—perfect for parties, picnics, or grab-and-go treats.
- Bake in muffin tins or cut out dough rounds and seal with a fork for handheld goodness.
These pie variations offer endless opportunities to personalize your dessert while still capturing that golden brown butter flavor and juicy fruit filling.
🧁 Troubleshooting Common Issues When Making Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie
- Runny filling? Let the pie cool completely to allow setting. Also, add more cornstarch if fruit is extra juicy.
- Soggy crust? Blind bake or sprinkle a thin layer of semolina before filling.
- Too tart or too sweet? Adjust sugar and lemon juice to taste before baking.
🧮 Nutrition Info (Estimates per Slice)
- Calories: ~330
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 44g
- Sugar: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
For a lighter version, try:
- Reducing sugar by 25%
- Using a single crust (no top)
- Substituting with coconut sugar
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie
Q: Can I use frozen peaches or strawberries?
A: Yes, but thaw and drain thoroughly to avoid excess liquid.
Q: Do I have to peel the peaches?
A: Not required, but peeling improves texture. Blanch peaches for easy peeling.
Q: What does brown butter taste like in pie?
A: It adds a nutty, caramel-like flavor that deepens the fruit’s sweetness.
Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Use a gluten-free pie crust and ensure cornstarch is certified GF.
Q: How do I know the pie is done?
A: Filling should bubble and crust should be deeply golden. Use a pie crust shield to prevent over-browning.
🎉 Final Thoughts
This Brown Butter Strawberry Peach Pie is a rustic, rewarding bake that captures the flavors of summer in every bite. With its golden flaky crust, juicy fruit filling, and deep brown butter notes, it’s sure to impress.
Try it for your next gathering or as a weekend baking treat, and don’t forget to experiment with seasonal fruits and personal twists. Questions? Leave them in the comments and share your version with us!
