Maple Flakes, Bourbon, and Brown Butter Peach Crisp

Crisp without ice cream is an abomination, so I churned up a batch of my favoriteDreamy Vanilla to serve with it. 

Makes 8 servings

8 tablespoons (1 stick / 4 ounces) unsalted butter

1/2 of a vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup quick (a.k.a. baby) oats

1/2 cup maple flakes* 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

flaky salt and coarse sugar for sprinkling

2 pounds ripe but firm peaches (6-8 peaches / 6 cups sliced)

1/4 cup bourbon whiskey (such as Bulleit)

1/4 cup maple sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 of a vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped 

Ice cream for serving

* Original recipe had brown sugar

Maple Flakes

Combine the butter and vanilla pod half and seeds in a small saucepan. Melt the butter over medium heat, and continue to cook until the butter turns golden with dark brown flecks, about 5 minutes, swirling frequently. Toward the end, the butter will foam up dramatically; watch it closely at this point. Let the browned butter cool at room temperature while you prepare the filling. (If the butter is at risk of over-browning, pour it into a heatproof bowl or measuring cup to stop the cooking.) Remove the pod and discard (or wash, dry, and save it for another use).

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 375º. Have a 10" oven-proof skillet (or a 10" solid tart or pie pan, or something equivalent) at the ready

Cut the peaches in half, then cut each half into six to eight slices. Place in a large bowl (or right into the baking vessel) and sprinkle with the bourbon.

In a small bowl, combine the maple flakes and vanilla pod and scrapings, rubbing the seeds into the flakes to distribute them evenly. Remove and discard the pod (or save it for another use). Stir the cornstarch into the flakes, then add to the bourbony peaches, tossing gently to coat. Distribute the peaches evenly in the baking vessel.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, maple flakes, nutmeg and salt. Stir in the melted, cooled brown butter, stirring with a spoon or your hands until the mixture forms large clumps.

Scatter the crumble topping over the peaches, taking the time to form some of it into small, hazelnut-sized balls. Scatter a bit of flaky salt over the top, as well as some maple flakes. 

Bake the crisp until the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling, 45-60 minutes. Let cool at least 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, preferably with vanilla ice cream. (Leftovers make a tasty breakfast, cold from the fridge, with yogurt instead of ice cream.)