Topped with a buttery pecan-and-brown-sugar crumble topping and brushed with honeyed brandy, these grilled nectarines might outshine the burgers at your next barbecue. Finish them with a creamy dollop of lemon-scented mascarpone cheese to offset the smoky taste from the grill and you’ll have an easy summer dessert without ever turning on the oven. Get more ideas for grilled fruit, and see more grilled dessert recipes too.

Special equipment: You will need a pastry brush for this recipe.

What to buy: You can substitute peaches for the nectarines in this recipe.

  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 40 mins

Ingredients (11)

  • 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 3/4 cup roasted, salted pecans, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick), at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 medium, ripe, but firm nectarines (about 2 1/2 pounds), halved and pitted

Instructions

  1. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium high (about 375°F to 425°F).
  2. Stir together the mascarpone cheese, sugar, and lemon zest in a small bowl until evenly combined, then set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, place the pecans, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a medium bowl and pinch the mixture together with your fingers until moist and crumbly; set aside. Whisk the honey, brandy, and vanilla together in a small bowl; set aside.
  4. When the grill is ready, place the nectarines on a baking sheet and brush both sides with the honey mixture, using all of it. Place the nectarines cut-side down on the grill (reserve the baking sheet). Cover the grill and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Using a flat metal spatula, flip the nectarines. Divide the pecan mixture among the nectarine halves, using all of it (about 1 heaping tablespoon per half). Cover the grill and cook until grill marks appear on the second side and the nectarines begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove the nectarines to the reserved baking sheet. Serve immediately or at room temperature, topping with the lemon-mascarpone mixture just before serving.