This Southern Peach Crumb Cake is a delightful treat, packed with juicy peaches and topped with a sweet cinnamon crumb. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert!
I love how the cinnamon adds a warm touch to each bite. Whenever I make this, I can’t resist having a slice (or two) with a scoop of ice cream. Yum! 🍑
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Peaches: Fresh, ripe peaches are crucial for this cake. If they’re out of season, you can use canned peaches in juice (not syrup) or even frozen peaches. Just thaw and drain them well before use.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds moisture and a lovely tang. If you don’t have any, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred for controlling the salt content. If you’d like to use margarine or a dairy-free alternative, it should work well in this recipe, but the flavor may differ slightly.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is standard, but I like to use brown sugar in the crumb topping for a richer taste. You can also substitute coconut sugar for a lower glycemic option.
How Do I Get the Crumb Topping Just Right?
The crumb topping is what makes this cake truly special, and it’s important to get the texture right. Here’s how to do that:
- Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt well before cutting in the butter.
- Use cold butter and cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can use your fingers for a more rustic feel, but be careful not to overwork it!
- Sprinkle the topping generously across the peach batter, ensuring it covers every corner for even texture and flavor.
Making it just right takes a little practice, but the result—the crunchy, sweet topping on soft peaches—is worth it!
Southern Peach Crumb Cake with Sweet Cinnamon Topping
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and diced
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for sprinkling on top)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cake will take about 15-20 minutes to prepare and 45-50 minutes to bake, making it a total time commitment of around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Plus, you’ll want to let it cool for a bit before serving. Trust me, the smell while it bakes is worth every second of anticipation!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, grease and flour your 9×13 inch baking pan to ensure the cake comes out easily later. You can use non-stick spray if you prefer!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps the leavening agents to distribute evenly in your cake. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. The fluffier it gets, the better texture your cake will have!
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Crack in the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This will give your cake a lovely flavor!
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Alternate adding the flour mix and buttermilk into the mix, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Gently mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix!
6. Fold in Peaches:
Gently fold in the diced peaches, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture for that delicious fruity flavor in every bite.
7. Pour the Batter:
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. It should look nice and even for the best baking results!
8. Make the Crumb Topping:
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This topping is what makes the cake so special!
9. Add the Topping:
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the batter. Take your time here and make sure it covers all the peachy goodness below!
10. Sprinkle with Sugar:
For a little extra sweetness and crunch, lightly sprinkle the granulated sugar on top of the crumb mixture.
11. Bake the Cake:
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Keep an eye on it! When a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the topping is golden brown, it’s done!
12. Cool and Serve:
Once out of the oven, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack. It’s best served warm or at room temperature—enjoy your delicious Southern Peach Crumb Cake!
This recipe showcases sweet, fresh peaches with a moist crumb cake base and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping typical of Southern desserts. Happy baking!
FAQs About Southern Peach Crumb Cake
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh?
Yes, you can definitely use frozen peaches! Just make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the batter to prevent the cake from becoming too soggy.
Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend you choose includes xanthan gum, or add it separately if your blend doesn’t have it!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months! Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before freezing.
Can I Add Other Fruits to This Recipe?
Yes! You can mix in other fruits like blueberries, chopped apples, or raspberries for added flavor. Just remember to adjust the quantity of peaches accordingly to maintain a good balance in the cake.
