Description
A fragrant and buttery upside-down cake topped with caramelized peaches and subtly spiced with cardamom. Perfectly golden and tender, this dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 13 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 5 oz light brown sugar (about 2/3 cup)
- 1 lb ripe but firm peaches, peeled, halved, pitted, and sliced into 3/4-inch wedges (or 12 oz frozen sliced peaches, thawed and drained)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 2/3 cups bleached cake flour (about 213g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (½ tsp if using table salt)
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 3/4 cup whole buttermilk
- Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or cast-iron skillet with cooking spray.
- Brown the butter: In a saucepan, melt 10 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until it turns golden and develops a nutty aroma. Pour into a large mixing bowl and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the caramel base: In the same saucepan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the brown sugar and cook until bubbly, about 2 minutes. Pour into the greased pan and spread evenly.
- Add the peaches: Arrange the peach slices over the caramel layer in a spiral pattern to cover the bottom.
- Prepare the batter: Whisk the granulated sugar into the browned butter. Add eggs and whisk until smooth.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom.
- Combine batter: Fold half of the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir in the buttermilk. Fold in the remaining dry mixture just until combined—do not overmix.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the batter over the peaches and smooth the top. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and serve: Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Invert onto a serving plate and cool another 30 minutes before slicing. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
If using frozen peaches, make sure they are fully thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture. The cardamom adds a warm, citrusy note—adjust to taste if you prefer less spice.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg