When fruit is at its seasonal best, a fool is one of the simplest yet most delicious desserts you can make. A ripple of caramelised roasted peaches spiked with booze and fresh raspberries cuts through whipped mascarpone, while a scattering of candied hazelnuts adds crunch. Nothing says summer quite like it.
Note: If peach brandy isn’t available, substitute Cointreau, brandy or golden rum.
Ingredients
Method
Preheat oven to 200°C fan-forced. Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add hazelnuts, and dry-roast until golden, then gradually scatter over 40gm sugar, mixing continuously, until sugar caramelises and coats the nuts (2-3 minutes). Transfer to a tray lined with baking paper to cool, then coarsely chop.
Scatter remaining sugar over the base of a roasting pan large enough to fit peaches snugly in a single layer. Add peaches, carefully toss to coat in sugar, then turn cut side up. Combine liqueur and juices in a jug, drizzle around peaches and roast, basting occasionally, until tender (18-20 minutes). Cool briefly, then set aside half the roast peaches and roasting liquid. Purée remaining roast peaches in a food processor and refrigerate to chill.
Cut remaining roast peaches into wedges. Whisk mascarpone, cream, sugar and vanilla in an electric mixer until medium peaks form. Fold through peach purée and divide among serving bowls. Top with remaining roast peaches and raspberries, drizzle with roasting liquid and serve scattered with candied hazelnuts
Credit: James Moffatt