Balsamic Stone Fruit Sundae Recipe – Summer Fruit Dessert with Vanilla Ice Cream

Balsamic Stone Fruit Sundae

This recipe is my friend Jordan’s idea. She’s been glowing through her pregnancy and one evening brought an overabundance of peaches and plums to girls’ night. After dinner she tossed the sliced fruit with a little sugar and balsamic vinegar, popped it in the oven, and the kitchen filled with a warm, fruity aroma while we chatted. The result was irresistibly simple: roasted stone fruit with a tangy balsamic reduction paired with creamy vanilla ice cream. We kept going back for more, and Jordan swore the baby approved.

I’ve made this dessert several times since that night. You can easily customize it—add toasted nuts, a sprinkle of granola, or even a crisp topping—but often the most memorable summer desserts are the ones that highlight excellent fruit. Because this dish is nearly all produce, the final flavor depends on the ripeness and variety of fruit you use. Every batch will be slightly different, yet reliably delicious.

If you ever find yourself with extra stone fruit, or you want a quick, elegant dessert and don’t mind turning on the oven, this is an ideal choice. It’s especially nice with a chilled glass of white wine and makes a great finish to a simple summer meal.

peaches, plums and cherries

fresh stone fruit

roasted balsamic stone fruit

Balsamic Stone Fruit Sundae

Balsamic Stone Fruit Sundae

Balsamic Stone Fruit Sundae

  • Author: Kathryne Taylor
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4

A super simple summer dessert of balsamic-roasted stone fruit—peaches, plums, cherries—and creamy vanilla ice cream. The amounts are flexible; toss the fruit with sugar and balsamic until it looks evenly coated.

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ pounds stone fruit (any mix of peaches, nectarines, plums, and/or cherries)
  • ¼ cup turbinado (raw) sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • Vanilla ice cream (or yogurt, frozen yogurt, or dairy-free ice cream)
  • Optional: freshly toasted almonds or pistachios, or granola

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the fruit: peel and slice peaches or nectarines, pit and slice plums, and pit and halve cherries so they cook evenly.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the prepared fruit with the sugar and balsamic vinegar, arranging it in a single layer. Bake about 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the fruit is soft and slightly caramelized. Serve warm over vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • This recipe makes about four modest sundaes—plan on roughly 1 cup of prepared fruit per person.
  • Leftover roasted fruit is delicious over yogurt with granola for breakfast.
  • If using cherries, halve them so they cook at the same rate as the other fruit.

Nutrition

Nutrition estimates are provided by an online calculator and are for guidance only.

  • Category: Dessert