Two very important things today: first, a potluck all-star dessert. Brown butter peach berry crumble, anyone? Second, a breakdown of my favorites in one of the coolest Southern cities, Birmingham, AL. If you’re in need of a simple but scrumptious dessert (or an itinerary for a day in Birmingham!), you’ll love today’s post. No time to waste- let’s dive in!
Peach Berry Crumble
Let’s start with the main event: this brown butter peach berry crumble. The recipe is an excerpt from my first book that I’m incredibly proud of, Her Daily Bread. If you haven’t heard about the book, you can learn more here and here! If you have heard of it, you may know that I’ve been sharing one recipe from its pages every month this year. This crumble makes the 7th recipe, and, man, it is definitely worth the wait.
Here, peaches, strawberries (or blueberries and blackberries!) combine and bake together into a bubbling fruit mixture. On top, a brown sugar and butter streusel bakes comes together with butter and salt; the end result is out of this world. While this isn’t the fanciest or prettiest recipe on this site, it’s one that rocks. Summer fruits and the warm flavors of cinnamon and brown butter shine here, making an unassuming, approachable treat.
I love to serve this brown butter peach berry crumble for casual group dinners. A scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream balances out any tart fruit flavors and cool down an otherwise warm treat. This is a great recipe you can batch and serve even for larger crowds, although even a little goes a long way here. If you get a chance to make this recipe, do let me know what you think! Now, on to my Birmingham faves!
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham was my first home away from home. I moved there a number of years ago to attend college, and at one time, I thought I’d live there forever! While plans changed, my love for the city never died. I often have people ask my about my favorite places to eat and things to do in Birmingham, so I thought I’d share a few with you here today.
Where to Eat in Birmingham: Lunch
Chex FonFon My Favorite place for pommes frites and fancy lunch cocktails!
Brick and Tin Delicious seasonal food in a beautiful quick-service environment.
Diplomat Deli Sandwiches and craft beers come together in this divey cult fave.
Little Donkey Tacos, mars, and outdoor seating? Yes, please!
Saw’s BBQ Alabama is serious about barbecue, and this is definitely the best in Birmingham.
The Essential A hit among foodies, this new American spot always serves beautiful and flavorful dishes.
Olexa’s A great place for a girly brunch or champagne lunch!
Where to Eat in Birmingham: Dinner
Automatic Seafood Regulary regarded as one of the best restaurants in Bham, this is THE cool place for seafood.
East West Asian fusion cuisine in a hip downtown area.
El Barrio The ambiance and Mexican-inspired food here is hard to beat.
Rojo This is my pick for casual late night Tex Mex.
Gian Marco The undisputed best Italian food in the city.
Slim’s Pizzeria A newcomer to Birmingham with pizza that holds its own.
Where to Eat in Birmingham: Bakeries
Continental Bakery Come here for artisan breads and good coffee!
Edgar’s Bakery Take-home baked goods and lunch options too!
Pastry Art The legendary baby bites sold here are to die for.
Magic Muffins A casual breakfast option that never fails.
Olexa’s Hands down, the best vanilla cake I’ve ever had. Order warms slices or whole cakes to go!
Where to Drink in Birmingham
The Collins Bar Fun cocktails in a spunky environment.
Paper Doll Craft cocktails in an upscale environment.
Neon Moon Don’t miss karaoke night in this college student fave!
Avondale Brewery Beer drinkers will love this watering hole!
Innisfree Pub This divey place is a weekend late night fave.
Juniper A newcomer, this gin bar has beautiful inside and outdoor seating.
Pilcrow Cocktail Cellar Another trendy can’t-miss option for cocktails!
Where to Stay in Birmingham
Valley Hotel This new hotel is a perfect option for weekend trips to hotel. A safe neighborhood, food options within walking distance, and a location just minutes from the airport.
Grand Bohemian This Marriott hotel is great for people looking for a boutique hotel option with a great restaurant in a great neighborhood.
Elyton Hotel For people hoping to stay downtown, the Elyton is without a doubt the best option!
What to Do in Birmingham
Nose Around on 18th Street in Homewood
Catch a Birmingham Barons Baseball Game at Regions Field
Buy Local at Pepper Place Saturday Market
Stroll Jemison Trail
Hike Red Mountain Park
Catch a Backside View of The Vulcan
For Kids: Birmingham Zoo or McWane Science Center
If you like today’s peach berry crumble recipe you should try:
Stone Fruit Skillet Cobbler
Skillet Fruit Pancake
Cherry Pound Cake
Peaches and Cream Trifle
Brown Butter Peach Berry Crumble
This brown butter peach berry crumble features baked summer fruit under a brown butter brown sugar crumble!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
For the crumble:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
For the filling:
- 2 cups peeled, pitted, and chopped peaches (from about 2 large ripe peaches)
- 2 cups hulled and chopped strawberries
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pinch of table salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 and lightly grease an 8” or 9” baking dish. Begin to prepare the crumble by browning the butter. Cube the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and place it into a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Stir regularly as the butter melts, bubbles, and begins to foam. Continue stirring continuously and looks for small, amber-colored flecks begin to form on the bottom of the pan. Once the butter is fragrant and golden brown, remove from heat immediately and pour into a large heat-safe bowl. Stir in the sugar and add the remaining ingredients, stirring just until combined into thick clumps. Place in the fridge to cool briefly while you assembly the filling.
- Toss together the filling ingredients and pour into the prepared baking dish. Crumble the topping over top of the fruit and bake in the preheated oven until the crumble is golden and the fruit beneath is bubbling, about 25-26 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving with ice cream or whipped cream.
