TWD- Dimply Peach Cake

Fall is not quite here but I am absolutely in love with these fall desserts. I just bought a 20 pound box of Utah peaches that have been gracing every meal around here- diced into cereal or cottage cheese, grabbed for a quick snack, sliced for lunch, and baked into something for dessert. I've even got some peach sorbet coming tomorrow. So when I saw this recipe, and smelled my fragrant, enormous box of peaches, I knew I'd have Dimply Peach Cake for Saturday's breakfast. Although I was assured that oatmeal would be sufficient and no cake was necessary, the platter was empty less than a half an hour after the cake came out of the oven.

I've included my recipe below since I made several modifications that I'd like to remember. First, I subbed whole wheat flour for 1/3 of the all-purpose flour (1/2 cup). I also included cinnamon and lemon zest to compliment the peaches, which I halved and then sliced each half into thirds. I also dished it up with a little pastry cream. Let's be honest here... what doesn't taste good with a little pastry cream?

After the first bite, I immediately thought of a reversed peach cobbler. Lots of cobbler with some sweet, soft fruit on top. The cake is moist and flavorful, soft and delicious. It easily held it's own flipping out of the pan and back onto a platter- no breaks here.

Do be careful to bake it fully or the fruit might collapse into the middle (my cake took about 2 minutes more than Dorie said, but I would check about 5 minutes before the buzzer goes off and pierce the center with a thin knife to be sure). Thanks Michelle for the great TWD choice. Next week- Creme Brulee!

Dimply Peach Cake
Adapted from Baking by Dorie Greenspan

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup flavorless oil, such as canola or safflower
Grated zest of 1 lemon or orange
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 ripe peaches, pitted, halved, and sliced into thirds (6 slices per peach)

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan, dust the inside with flour, tap out the excess and put the pan on a baking sheet. (I actually buttered my pan this time but a nice even spray of Pam with Flour would work here)

Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together.

Working with a mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium speed until soft and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and beat for another 2 minutes, then add the eggs, one at a time, and beat for a minute after each addition. On medium speed, beat in the oil, lemon zest, and vanilla. The batter will look smooth and creamy, almost satiny (with the whole wheat flour and cinnamon it will have a nice light brown color). Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing only until they are incorporated.

Run a spatula around the bowl and under the batter, just to make sure there are no dry spots, then scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Arrange the peaches in an evenly spaced pattern, lying each slice on it's side and slightly jiggling the pan just so the fruit settles comfortably into the batter.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes , or until the top is honey brown and puffed around the fruit and a thin knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Transfer the cake to a rack and cool for 15 minutes- during which time the peaches juices will seep back into the cake- then run a knife around the sides of the pan and unmold the cake. Invert and cool right side up.

Serve with whipped cream or a dollop of pastry cream for breakfast. For dessert, add a small scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.