Peach Upside Down Cake

Peach upside down cake is a delicious dessert that can be enjoyed year round!  While this recipe is perfect for summer fresh peaches, it can also be made using canned or frozen peaches any time of year. 

This summer we found out that we had a peach tree on our property.  We knew the tree was there, but had been told that it was a plum tree.  Imagine our surprise when these beautiful little peaches started to ripen!

This first year with our peach tree, we harvested over 30 pounds of fresh peaches!  They’re absolutely sweet and delicious, and we had to find something to make with them.  Enter this peach upside down cake recipe.

What is an Upside Down Cake?

An upside down cake is a cake that is baked with its toppings at the bottom of the pan.  After the cake is baked, you turn it out onto a plate or platter to reveal a decorative layer (usually fruit based) on top. 

What You’ll Need to Make This Peach Upside Down Cake:

Equipment

• 12” Cast iron pan
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Stand mixer with whisk attachment
• Spatula

Ingredients

Cake Layer

• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ tsp. almond extract
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• 2 cups flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¾ cup milk

Bottom Layer

• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 8 whole peaches – peeled and sliced into wedges (or 2 small cans drained peaches)

How to Make Peach Upside Down Cake

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C)

Bottom Layer

1. Mix softened butter and brown sugar in a small bowl.  Spread onto bottom of pan.
2. Arrange peaches in the butter and brown sugar mixture, pressing them slightly into the mixture.

Cake Layer

1. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In the bowl of your stand mixer, add butter, sugar, almond extract, and eggs. Beat on medium until light and fluffy.
3. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and beat on low until combined.
4. Use a spatula to spread cake batter over the peach layer until covered evenly.
5. Bake for 1 hour and 15 – 1 hour and 30 minutes (until top of cake is slightly browned and toothpick comes out of center clean).

Let cool for 10-15 minutes, then flip upside down onto a large platter.

Variations of This Cake

Have fun experimenting with this cake!  The you can do so many delicious things to mix it up a little bit!

• Add 2 Tbs. of spiced rum to the peaches before adding them to the sugar mixture. The alcohol cooks down during the baking process, but the rum adds a delicious little kick!
• Add ½ Tbs. of cinnamon to the brown sugar mix.  The cinnamon brings out a warmth in the flavor that is simply delicious!
• Add ½ cup chopped or sliced nuts in the peach layer.  Walnuts, or pecans add a delicious texture to the cake.  You can also try toasting chopped nuts and using them to top your cake.
• Try different types of fruit. We’ve made this cake with pears, and apples, but you could also do it with plums. 

How to Serve Peach Upside Down Cake

This cake is delicious all on its own, but is extra delicious when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! You can also add nuts such as toasted pecans.

FAQs

Do I need to use cast iron?

No, this cake bakes beautifully in a springform pan too.  Use a 12” springform, or cut the recipe in half to use an 8” pan. 

How do I release the cake from the pan?

To release the cake from the pan, run a knife along the edge before turning upside down. If it seems to be sticking to the bottom, place the pan back into the oven for 5 minutes to help release the fruit.

Do I flip the cake when it’s hot or cold?

Neither!  The best time to flip your cake out of your pan is about 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven.  This gives the fruit layer a few minutes to set up, but not enough time to really stick to the bottom of the pan.

Can I use canned peaches to make this upside down cake?

Yes!  If you use canned peaches, you will need to drain off all of the liquid prior to arranging in the bottom of your pan.

Can I use frozen peaches?

Again, yes!  You will need to completely thaw the peaches and drain off any liquid that is on them before arranging in the bottom of your pan. 

What to do with Leftovers

• Store leftover peach upside down cake in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze leftover cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 1 month!
• Simply reheat leftovers by placing them in the microwave. 

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