Audrey Hepburn's Favorite Simple Summer Dessert Only Requires 4 Ingredients

The legendary Audrey Hepburn was celebrated not only for her elegance but also for her appreciation of simplicity. This mindset influenced her acting, and it turns out, it also shaped her cooking style.

In the kitchen, Hepburn favored minimalist dishes that still packed plenty of flavor. One of her top choices was a straightforward summer dessert with just four ingredients. Fresh peaches, the main star of the dish, shine in their natural sweetness, without the need for anything extra.

This effortless, fresh treat lets the ingredients speak for themselves. On a warm summer evening, it’s the perfect dessert to prepare and savor. It’s sure to become your favorite go-to recipe when you're in the mood for something quick and sweet.

Audrey Hepburn's Simple 4-Ingredient Fruit Salad

In his book, 'Audrey At Home: Memories of My Mother’s Kitchen,' Luca Dotti, Audrey Hepburn's son, recalls fond memories from his mother's kitchen, including her cherished summer peach dessert.

As shared by Instagram user @telloandrose in a recipe video, Hepburn often bartered with her neighbors for fresh peaches to enjoy with her family on their Swiss patio after dinner.

While I may not have a picturesque Swiss patio to enjoy my dessert on (though wouldn't that be nice?), this simple recipe remains the perfect way to wrap up any summer evening. It's incredibly easy and versatile, ideal for impressing guests at a dinner party or indulging in a solo treat.

How to Prepare Audrey Hepburn’s Peach Salad

To prepare the dish, Hepburn would peel six ripe peaches and slice them into wedges. Then, she’d gently toss the peach slices with three tablespoons of sugar and the juice of one lemon. After letting the peaches sit for an hour to marinate, she would garnish them with fresh mint leaves and serve them on a platter.

While this recipe stands perfectly on its own, there are plenty of ways to elevate it. As suggested by a user on @telloandrose’s Instagram post, this peach salad could make an excellent filling for a peach pie. I also think it would be delicious with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Plus, you could toss in any extra seasonal fruit, like strawberries or cherries, for a twist.

However, on those lazy summer nights when all you want to do is relax on the porch and enjoy the extended daylight, I fully support keeping the recipe simple. After all, that’s the way Hepburn would have wanted it.