When the Arizona heat really starts to sizzle, our family knows it’s time for something juicy, golden, and worth the wait every year: peach season. But not just any peaches—we’re talking about the famous, sun-kissed Palisade peaches from Colorado.

Every summer like clockwork, a crate or two would show up at our front door, delivered straight from Palisade. As kids, we’d hover around the box like it was a treasure chest, sneaking slices while mom gently peeled and prepped every last fuzzy beauty. She had one plan in mind—her signature homemade peach jam—and we all knew not to get in the way of her process.

That jam was sunshine in a jar. Sweet, sticky, fragrant—and always made with love and a little cinnamon. Some years, we’d help stir the pot or spoon the mixture into jars, but mostly we just waited for that first bite on toast or warm biscuits.

So, What’s So Special About Palisade Peaches?

Palisade, Colorado, nestled in the Grand Valley between the Colorado River and Book Cliffs, is known for having the perfect combo of hot days, cool nights, and nutrient-rich soil—all of which help create peaches that are incredibly juicy, full of flavor, and naturally sweet. These peaches are famous across the country, and for good reason: one bite, and you’re hooked.

And the town isn’t shy about its peach pride! Each August, Palisade hosts the Palisade Peach Festival, one of the oldest agricultural festivals in Colorado. Think parades, peach-eating contests, orchard tours, baking competitions, local wines, and dancing under the stars. It’s all about celebrating the harvest and the community behind it—and now it’s a bucket-list-worthy event for anyone who loves good food and a small-town summer vibe.

If you’ve never been, add it to your list. But if you have a box of Palisade peaches sitting on your counter right now—this next part is for you.

🍑 Mom’s Old-Fashioned Peach Jam (With a Hint of Cinnamon)

This is the Kitchen Switchen family jam—literally. It’s simple, pure, and loaded with peach flavor. You can make it with or without pectin, but we like to keep it old-school and let the fruit do the work.

✨ Ingredients:

• 4 cups ripe peaches, peeled and finely chopped (about 6 large peaches)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Optional: ¼ tsp almond extract for a little extra something
• Optional: pinch of salt to balance the sweetness

Instructions:

1. Peel & Prep Your Peaches:
   To easily peel peaches, score the bottoms with an “X,” then blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds. Transfer to ice water and slip off the skins. Chop finely.
2. Cook the Jam:
   In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine chopped peaches, sugars, and lemon juice. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to macerate.
3. Simmer Low & Slow:
   Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. It should begin to thicken.
4. Add Cinnamon:
   Stir in ground cinnamon (and almond extract or salt, if using) during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
5. Check for Doneness:
   Place a spoonful of jam on a chilled plate—if it wrinkles slightly when pushed, it’s ready. If not, cook a bit longer.
6. Jar It Up:
   Spoon hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Seal tightly and let cool. Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or water-bath can it for shelf-stable storage.

🍑 Peach Cinnamon Bread with Brown Sugar Crumble

Yield: 1 loaf | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Bake Time: 50–60 minutes

🧂 Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 ½ cups peeled, diced ripe peaches (about 2 medium peaches)
• Optional: ½ tsp almond extract (for a deeper fruit flavor)

For the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Swirl:

• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon

For the Crumble Topping (optional but delicious):

• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon

🍽️ Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix the dry ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugars:
   In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
4. Add the eggs and flavorings:
   Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla (and almond extract if using).
5. Mix in the sour cream:
   Add the sour cream or yogurt and mix until smooth.
6. Combine wet and dry:
   Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined—don’t overmix.
7. Fold in the peaches:
   Gently stir in the diced peaches. Batter will be thick and chunky.
8. Create the swirl (optional but worth it):
   Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar-cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter. Add remaining batter and smooth the top.
9. Add the crumble topping (optional):
   In a small bowl, mix crumble ingredients with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the loaf.
10. Bake:
    Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Check at 45 minutes and loosely cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly.
11. Cool:
    Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

🌟 Tips & Serving Suggestions:

• Try adding chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.
• This bread is even better the next day once the flavors settle.
• Serve slices warm with a little butter or cream cheese.
• Great for gifting—wrap it up in parchment and tie with twine!