Easy Fresh Peach Upside-Down Skillet Cake
A quick and easy summer dessert featuring fresh peaches caramelized in a skillet with a buttery, tender cake. Perfect for casual gatherings and crowd-pleasing with a rustic charm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup whole milk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Let your skillet warm slightly on the stove while you prep the peaches.
- In your skillet, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the ½ cup packed brown sugar until it dissolves and starts bubbling gently. Remove from heat.
- Arrange the peeled and sliced peaches evenly on top of the sugar-butter mixture. If using cinnamon, sprinkle it over the peaches.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and optional lemon zest.
- In another bowl, beat the ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 large egg until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the ½ cup whole milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter evenly over the peaches in the skillet, spreading carefully.
- Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes on a wire rack to set the caramel.
- Carefully invert the cake onto a large plate or serving board. If peaches stick to the skillet, tuck them back on top.
- Optional: For extra caramelization, return the flipped cake to the oven under the broiler for 5 minutes, watching closely.
Notes
Use ripe but firm peaches for best texture. Let the cake cool before flipping to prevent peaches from sliding off. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet helps prevent sticking and ensures even caramelization. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. For dairy-free, swap butter with coconut oil and milk with almond or oat milk. Optional spices like cardamom or ginger can add aromatic twists. Toasted nuts can be added for texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of ca
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 2832
- Sodium: 150200
- Fat: 1215
- Saturated Fat: 79
- Carbohydrates: 4045
- Fiber: 23
- Protein: 4
Keywords: peach upside-down cake, skillet cake, summer dessert, fresh peaches, easy dessert, caramelized peaches, quick cake