Last Updated on January 13, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Peach Upside Down Polenta Cake – is a delicious cornbread cake with a floral infused summer fruit topping.
In the summer and fall, I try to go to a local farm at least once to pick fresh produce. First of all, it is a fun activity, especially for the kids, and you come home with the tastiest produce that you can ever get at any market. With my friend and her kids, we went out to New Jersey this weekend and peaches were in abundance, along with the tail season of blueberries and blackberries. Usually I go earlier in the summer and only get berries. This was the first time I went in the middle of peach season. These were truly the juiciest and tastiest peaches I have ever had.
Alstede Farms
This year I tried a new farm and this has been my best visit yet. I think my search has ended for the perfect U-Pick farm that is reasonably convenient to public transportation. It has lots of activities for kids including hay rides, pony rides, corn seed box (they play in this – think sandbox but it has corn seed instead – this had my friend’s kids entertained for a solid hour), a bouncy tent and more. The extra activities are reasonably priced – all at $3. I have visited other local farms that charge as much as $10 for pony rides.
This farm has the most variety of produce. I have since been back many times and picked everything from peaches, apples and berries to potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and okra.
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| Alstede Farms |
Now is the tail end of berry season, peach season is in full swing and the beginning of apple season. They have a market that you can visit after your picking for farm fresh produce like zucchini, lettuce, cabbage, beets, onions and tomatoes. Super creamy ice cream in seasonal flavors like peach and blueberry were also available. I had the blueberry. It was so rich, creamy and delicious.
My friend tends to go a little crazy and we came home with bags and bags of peaches and since I am the chef and blogger, I am expected to put all of them to good use by the time her and her kids leave my house at the end of the weekend. When I started getting tired, she says “Well don’t you need it for the blog? NO…my readers are going to get sick of peach recipes I tell her and she responds – Who can get sick of peaches?” Needless to say, the peach recipes are going to be in full swing on this blog for the next several weeks. Just a few days ago, I had stumbled along this recipe and planned to try it soon, so when I realized it was peach season at Alstede, this was the first recipe that came into my mind to try.
Based on a Martha Stewart recipe found here at the Cake Duchess, with a few minor alterations, try this cake and you won’t be disappointed.
IN THE MAKING – HOW TO MAKE PEACH UPSIDE DOWN POLENTA CAKE
Just like American skillet cornbread, this is basically an upside down cornbread, however with slight floral undertones and the use of the vanilla sugar brings it to another level. I really like this cake a lot and now make it usually once every summer season because it is not overly sweet and my friend’s kids loved it – and they are some picky kids!
This is a beautiful cake to bring to the summer potluck party!
Peach Upside Down Polenta Cake
Ingredients
- 3 peaches cut into large wedges
- 1 cup instant polenta
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dried rose crushed in a coffee/spice grinder
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened + 3 tablespoons
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vanilla sugar This is one of my stock pantry items. In a food processor, combine 4 cups sugar with 2 vanilla beans that have been split and scraped and process well until all the vanilla pieces and scrapings are quite fine.
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup minus 2 tablespoons evaporated milk
- edible flowers optional garnish
- fresh peach slices garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a bowl, combine polenta, flour, baking powder, salt and rose. Mix to combine.
- In a mixer, cream butter and 1 cup of the sugar together. Add eggs one a time, mixing well after each egg. Add vanilla and milk.
- Add polenta mix in two additions.
- In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter. Using a pastry brush, brush the butter up the sides of the pan and around to coat well.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar evenly on top and when the sugar starts to bubble, arrange peach slices on top starting on the outside into a cylindrical pattern.
- Lower flame to medium low and cook for 10 minutes, until peaches soften.
- Place batter on top and spread evenly.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Invert onto a plate, tapping the bottom of the skillet before removing it.
- Garnish with edible flowers, if desired and fresh peach slices.
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Love the pics Chef.
Nice one.. Thanks Linking @ "Let's Party – Go Bake It":)
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The cake looks awesome. I always have a confusion between polenta and maize flour. Once I tried to make a cake with maize flour and it tasted horrible. Do you have any idea about the difference between the two flours or are they the same?
polenta is basically just crushed corn flour what we call grits – but the white corn flour available in asia and africa isn;t as soft as the yellow corn flour we get here so that corn flour does have a coarser texture
I totally love how beautiful the crumb of that cake looks! I love anything with fruits, cakes with fruits is always a big yes… looks yum, and would be amazing with a big scoop of ice cream…
me too – I am much more of a fruit person than a chocolate person
What we call here cornflour, is a white very smooth textured flour and another is the maize flour that is quite coarse and is yellow in color. It is made from grinding the whole corn kernel.
what you are calling cornflour is actually cornstarch here – and we actually call the other one cornmeal here
Nice texture. I like the use of polenta instead of cake flour. Farm fresh peaches, especially those you get to pick yourself, are the best.
yes – the flavor in fresh farm picked produce is uncomparable
cant wait to try this!! i love all fruity cakes!:)urslooks so moist
thanks – yes the fruit adds so much to this cake
That cake looks fantastic, the crumb is so good. Love those pictures you shared.
thank you – yes the polanta give the cake a great texture
I love this farm culture , so much fun to pick fresh produce , wish we had something like this here .
The peach look wonderful , I could grab them and enjoy , but that cake – wow it looks fantastic . Love the grainy texture .
yes – definitely a great summer activity
Wow, cake looks absolutely gorgeous Mir, havent tried yet this upside down cake with peaches. Incredible cake to enjoy for an evening snacks.
thank you – yes definitely a great evening snack
Beautiful looking cake with the peaches. Love the texture.
yes I love the texture cornmeal gives to ccakes
I love polenta cakes and this one with upside down peach looks so yummy. Love the crumb.
thanks – yep I think the texture of the polenta makes it so good
Wow !! This cake’s a delight just to look at !! It sure must have tasted amazing !! Would love to try this unique recipe .
thank you and its as delicious as it looks 🙂
wow.. what a sinful cake recipe.. love the addition of polenta instead of regular flour.
yes – the polenta gives it nice texture
Peach upside down cakes sounds a great idea. Love the way it has come out, crumbly, moist and looks delicious.
thank you – yes peaches are a great fruit for desserts