Peach Upside-Down Cake

If the idea of flipping a lovingly baked cake conjures up visions of a gooey mess, we have good news: You can 100-percent handle it. Our peach upside-down cake recipe is simple to prepare, and the results are more than worth the bit of effort.

We’ll even talk you through the flip in our tips section below, so go ahead and gather your fresh peaches, brown sugar and other ingredients, and let’s get baking.

Ingredients for Peach Upside-Down Cake

• Butter: The butter needs to be softened, so get it out of the fridge ahead of time. Also note that it’s used in multiple ways in this recipe.
• Brown sugar: As always, measure the brown sugar from a packed state.
• Peaches: This recipe calls for 2 cups of sliced peeled fresh peaches, so keep it at the ready for peach season.
• Sugar: You’ve gotta have the sweetness!
• Egg: Allow the egg to rise to room temperature before using it.
• Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon of vanilla extract is all you need.
• All-purpose flour: Make sure to use all-purpose flour here so the consistency comes out right.
• Baking powder: Baking powder is essential for achieving the right rise and texture.
• Milk: We find that 2% milk works best for this recipe.

Directions

Step 1: Arrange the peach slices

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Melt 1/4 cup of butter, then pour it into an ungreased 9-inch round baking pan. Sprinkle the butter with brown sugar and arrange the peach slices in a single layer over the sugar.

Step 2: Add the cake batter

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and remaining butter until the blend is light and fluffy, five to seven minutes. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt, then add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with the milk, beating well after each addition. Spoon the batter evenly over the peaches.

Step 3: Bake the cake, then flip it

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a serving plate. Serve it warm, and enjoy!

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

Peach Upside-Down Cake Variations

• Try it with different fruit: You can make this cake with pineapple, apricots, plums and so many other fruits, too. Consider adding a different fruit or swapping out the peaches entirely.
• Add a dusting of powdered sugar: For a bit more sweetness, sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar over the top of the cake. It will “melt” into the warm peaches, forming a sweet glaze.
• Toss in some chocolate chips: Mixing chocolate chips into the batter will add sweetness and enrich the flavor profile of the cake, though note that not everyone likes the fruit-chocolate combo.

How to Store Peach Upside-Down Cake

Sweet upside-down cakes are best served warm, the same day—even the same hour—they’re made. But you can cool and then cover and refrigerate the leftovers for two to three days. Warm up a piece in the microwave to reignite that caramelized magic.

Can you freeze peach upside-down cake?

Yes, you can freeze this upside-down cake for three to four months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat slices in the microwave.

Peach Upside-Down Cake Tips

Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home

How do you flip a cake upside-down?

Follow our Test Kitchen’s foolproof method: Once the cake tests done, let it stand for 10 minutes, then place an upside-down serving plate over the cake. Wearing oven mitts, place your thumbs under the cake pan and your fingers over the serving plate, grasping firmly to keep the two vessels from wiggling. Then flip the cake in one smooth, easy movement, placing it plate-side-down on the counter. Gently wiggle and lift the baking pan away. That’s it!

What if you wait too long, or the cake doesn’t release?

Just pop your cake back in the oven for a moment to help it warm up for a neat release, and consider running a butter knife around the sides of the pan to help ease the cake out.

Can I use frozen peaches for this recipe?

While canned peaches are a no-go here, sliced frozen peaches will work just fine. Just know the baking time may be a bit longer.

What other fruits can you add to upside-down cake?

There are many delicious options besides peaches for upside-down cake. Pineapple cake, whether baked in a cast-iron skillet or as adorable cupcakes, is a classic. A little plum cake would be perfect for summer.