Friday, September 3, 2010

Peach Upside Down Cake

My boys were wandering around the yard, and found these lovelies on our ancient, rickety peach tree! Well, OK, they're not as pretty as supermarket peaches, but they are a lot better!

The joys of what's now called "heirloom plants!" They smelled wonderful; they tasted even better, and the boys demanded that I make something vastly entertaining for them.


Craig Claiborne and his New York Times cookbook provided me with exactly what the boys wanted.


PEACH UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 to 5 peaches
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar
1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 cup milk

In an 8" square or 10" round glass baking pan, melt the 4 tbsp butter. Sprinkle 3/4 cup brown sugar evenly over the butter. Wash the peaches, and cut into sliced wedges about 3/8" to 1/2" thick at the outside (no, I did not peel them, and no one noticed). In a mixing bowl, cream the remaining butter with the 1/2 cup sugar. When it's evenly combined, beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Sift together the flour, powder and salt, and beat in in 3 applications, alternating with the milk. Beat until the batter's smooth, then spoon over the peaches. Bake at 350F for about 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
Everyone loved this. The boys went and got the last 6 peaches from the tree yesterday, so this has to be on the menu this weekend, when 2 of the girls are coming home for the long Labor Day weekend. The boys insist. Hmmm. I wonder if that's just an excuse to get more peach upside down cake?

I hope everyone has nice plans for this holiday weekend. Hurricane Earl is staying well east of us; I hope my friends closer to the coast dry out before the weekend's over!

17 comments:

SissySees said...

My mouth is watering, and I'm not even a huge peach fan!

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah. I never buy fruit from the supermarket -- it's tasteless. Give me the homely looking stuff from a neighbor's backyard garden.

gMarie said...

That looks devine! Did you bake it in a triffle bowl? I now have company coming - maybe I'll try to find some local peaches. g

Kapitein Haakje said...

sanne and we are coming!!!!!!!!!!
save a piece for us
sanne loves!! peach !!!

Kissslobbers
El'bow & Hauwii

Pam said...

I am glad you are safe from Earl.

I've never made an upside down cake but this recipe is making me want to give it a try... it looks AMAZING!

sandy said...

Looks yummy, I'll be over, save some!

Sandy

Tatersmama said...

Oh Yum!! I know a place (a secret place ;) back in the hills in California, where there are some beautiful ancient old Indian Blood Peach trees... My mouth is watering, just thinking about it!

This looks sooo delicious, that I have to agree with the boys. You need to make another one! ;)

Chef Dennis Littley said...

I just bought a small basket of peaches at our farmers market! What a great way to use them, my wife loves pinapple upside down cake, I know she will love this!
thanks for the inspiration!

HermitJim said...

Thanks for the recipe...I love food, especially if it looks this good!

Fresh peaches, right off the tree! Man, what a flood of memories I get from that!

Mickle in NZ said...

Such a beautiful fruit topped cake. And I loathe peaches! A huge great "well done" to Mark and Ryan for insisting on more home-grown peachy glory over your holiday weekend, that they can share with 2 sisters. Now, getting the lads to help make it might take a little more effort - maybe start with Ryan???

Sending much care and many huggles from Michelle and Zebby, peach free xxxx and contented purrrrumbles!!!

Lapdog Creations said...

Oooh.... mouths are watering over here too!!!!!

Linda said...

Darn I just looked and there is only two peaches left. I'm trying this when I get some more.

grace said...

that's so pretty, marjie--a perfect use for the dwindling peaches. i'm glad it turned out so lovely!

pam said...

I don't really like pineapple upside down cake, but I would LOVE this!

Paula said...

Hi Marjie! I've missed you this summer ... took the entire summer off. Hope you and your family had a great summer, and that everyone gets off to a terrific start to school this year. Hugs, Paula

Faye Lewis said...

Wow, thank you for your suggestion of a paisley lining for the coat. I was thinking about going with a print but had no idea of what pattern. That's a great idea.

Sue said...

Yum, that looks good. I love fruit pies and cakes.