Even if you’ve never heard of compote, this refreshing and fruity Nectarine Compote Dessert is a treat you’ll instantly fall in love with. Served over angel food cake or pound cake, this is a perfect dessert for the summertime!
You can also pair with your favorite ice cream, or just eat this nectarine dessert by the spoonful. However you enjoy it, this is the perfect dessert to take advantage of nectarine season.
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🩵 About This Recipe
Perfect for the summer, this sweet and refreshing nectarine dessert is a great treat that's so easy to make! You'll only need fresh nectarines and a couple of other things from your pantry to make a homemade nectarine syrup to add to all of your favorite desserts.
Excellent to pair with pound cake or ice cream, this homemade treat is bursting with fresh fruity flavor!
Serve it on top of this Refrigerator Cake or a homemade Cherry Ice Cream for a tasty, family favorite dessert.
For another great dessert topping, try this easy Rhubarb Compote. It's also perfect to serve on toast, pancakes, and waffles!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- nectarines - tangy and sweet, nectarines are the perfect fruit to use as the base for this compote.
- honey - provides some natural sweetness that highlights the fruity flavor.
- sugar - creates a syrupy consistency and balances out the tartness of the fruit.
- salt - helps to balance out all the sweet flavors and bring out another dimension of your dessert.
🔪 Let's Make this Nectarine Dessert!
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Chop Nectarines
Slice the nectarines into bite size chunks, about 1-inch large.
Combine Ingredients
Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan.
Cook
Heat over medium, stirring constantly until the mixture has thickened and is warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Buy pre-sliced nectarines to cut down on prep time and make this nectarine dessert even easier to put together!
❔ FAQs
In culinary terms, a compote is a mixture made with fruit chunks that are cooked in any kind of sugar or syrup. A compote is quick and easy to make, but can add lots of flavor and elegance to any dessert!
While peaches and nectarines are distinct fruits, they're closely related and have a lot of the same nutritious values and flavors. Nectarines lack the fuzzy exterior of peaches and tend to stay a bit firmer when cooked. Peaches can be used to make a compote as well!
It should yield slightly to gentle pressure and have a sweet aroma.
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💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- For best results, use nectarines that are ripe and fairly firm. Give them a good wash before chopping them as well.
- Use regular nectarines or white nectarines, whichever you prefer!
- This recipe can also be made in the microwave. Cook on high for 2 to 3 minutes, giving everything a good stir halfway through.
Sweet and slightly tangy, this nectarine syrup with tasty chunks of fruit is the perfect way to doctor up any simple dessert!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Create a warm and spiced flavor by adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Add a pop of bright citrus flavor with some citrus zest, like orange or lemon.
- You can also use multiple kinds of fruit in a single compote. Blueberries pair particularly well with the nectarines.
- Give your nectarine compote a richer flavor by adding a splash of vanilla extract after cooking.
- For a fun adult twist, add a splash of brandy or rum.
- Adding some mint or basil can give your nectarine dessert a fun and elegant herbal flavor.
What readers are saying...
I am loving how simple this is and I am sure how delicious! I love nectarines already and with a little honey and sugar ---mega yum!
- Jen
🥡 Storage
If you have leftover nectarine compote, keep it in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container. You can serve it cold, pop it in the microwave, or heat it in a saucepan over medium heat again.
From frozen, let the compote thaw in the fridge before serving or reheating.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
This nectarine syrup is perfect to serve with desserts, breakfasts, and even sweet side dishes. Spoon it over Chocolate Crunch Raspberry Waffles or Lemon Pancakes for a special breakfast, pair it with No-Churn Moscato Ice Cream, or serve it alongside this Berry Salad!
😋 More Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- Oreo Milkshake - This creamy and decadent milkshake is a cookies and cream dream!
- Mango Frozen Yogurt - It only takes 4 ingredients to make this super yummy frozen yogurt that's bursting with tropical mango flavor.
- Lemonade Popsicles - Need something to help you cool down on the hottest summer days? These homemade popsicles balance sweetness with zesty lemon.
- Strawberry Compote - This recipe from Marcellina in Cucina is another take on compote that features bright and delicious strawberries!
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Homemade Nectarine Dessert
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📋 Recipe Card
Nectarine Compote Dessert
Ingredients
- 3 nectarines (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Slice the nectarines into approximately 1 inch chunks.3 nectarines
- Place all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon sugar, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons water
- Heat while stirring until mixture is thickened and warm, about 5 minutes.
- Serve over cake or ice cream.
Notes
- Choose nectarines that are ripe but firm for the best texture. Wash and dry them thoroughly before chopping. I have used regular and white nectarines – both kinds work just fine.
- Purchase pre-sliced nectarines if available to cut down on prep time.
- For quicker cooking, combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Incorporate a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for a bright, citrusy note.
- Add a handful of blueberries or raspberries for additional color and flavor.
- Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract after cooking for a richer taste.
- Add a splash of brandy or rum for an adult version.
- Add a few sprigs of fresh mint or basil for a unique herbal flavor.
- Spoon the compote over pancakes, waffles, or yogurt.
- Pair the compote with a cheese platter, especially with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese.
- Use the compote as a filling for crepes or as a topping for scones or biscuits.
- Chill the compote and serve it over cold desserts like panna cotta or alongside a fruit salad.
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in September 2014, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in July 2024.
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Joanne
I had 8 small nectarines, so used instructions for 6 - it was waaay too sweet. I'm going to have to drain the jar and discard the liquid. On ice cream, it was a complete sugar overload.
Kristin King
Oh I am sorry to hear that! I have never had that complaint, to be perfectly honest. I wonder if the size of the nectarines you used was significantly different from mine, that's the only thing I can think of. So you doubled the recipe but it wasn't really double the nectarines. That is a good note for others to look out for though! The next time I make this I will weigh my nectarines after discarding the pits so that there is a better way to ensure a good nectarine to honey/sugar ratio.
DK
Wow this compote dessert is amazing! It works so well on everything - even pancakes!