The Best Peach Cake Recipe (Buttery Upside Down Cake)

This peach upside down cake features caramelized peaches and a soft buttery crumb. An easy peach cake recipe perfect for fresh summer peaches.

If you enjoyed this Upside-Down Buttermilk Peach Cake, you should also try my Peach Polenta Cake and Peach streusal muffins-both are simple summer desserts that let ripe peaches really shine. 🍑

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This peach upside down cake is one of my favorite summer desserts to bake when peaches are perfectly ripe and sweet. The peaches caramelize in butter and brown sugar on the bottom of the pan, and once the cake is flipped you get a glossy layer of soft fruit sitting on top of a tender, buttery cake.

For me, this is one of those peach cake recipes that feels impressive but is actually very easy to make. I love serving this easy peach cake recipe slightly warm with coffee in the afternoon or after dinner when you want something simple but special.

Jump To

• Ingredients
• How to Make Peach Upside Down Cake
• My Best Tips for the Perfect Peach Upside Down Cake
• Can You Use Canned Peaches?
• How to Store Peach Cake
• Easy Peach Upside Down Cake with Fresh Peaches

Ingredients

Makes 10 servings.

4-5 medium peaches, halved, pitted and thinly sliced
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 ⅓ cups (6 ounces) cake flour (you could also use AP flour and will be fine)
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon table salt
12 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter, softened (4 for bottom of pan, 8 tablespoons for the batter)
¾ cup  granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup buttermilk

How to Make Peach Upside Down Cake

Prepare the pan

Position an oven rack in the center and heat the oven to 175°C (350°F).

Place 4 tablespoons butter in an 8-inch square cake pan and put the pan in the oven until the butter melts, about 4 minutes.

Remove the pan and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the melted butter.

Arrange the peaches

Place the peach slices in overlapping rows across the bottom of the pan so the entire surface is covered.

Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl whisk together:

• flour
• baking powder
• baking soda
• cinnamon
• salt

Make the batter

In a large bowl beat the remaining 8 tablespoons butter and granulated sugar until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined. Add the lemon zest with the second egg.

Using a spatula, fold the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately into the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.

Bake the cake

Spread the batter evenly over the peaches.

Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool and invert

Let the cake cool for 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto a serving plate or wire rack.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

My Best Tips for the Perfect Peach Upside Down Cake

Use ripe but firm peaches. Soft peaches release too much juice and can make the cake soggy.

Slice peaches evenly. Thin slices create a prettier pattern when the cake is flipped.

Let the cake rest before flipping. Waiting about 10 minutes helps the caramel layer release cleanly.

Cake flour gives a lighter texture. All-purpose flour works too, but cake flour keeps the crumb softer.

Can You Use Canned Peaches?

Yes. If fresh peaches are not in season, you can make peach upside down cake with canned peaches.

My tip:
• Drain the peaches well
• Pat them dry with paper towels
• Reduce the sugar slightly since canned peaches are already sweet

You can also make a peach upside down cake using frozen peaches. Just thaw them completely and drain the excess liquid first.

How to Store Peach Cake

Because this cake with peaches contains fresh fruit, it's best eaten within a day or two.

• Keep covered at room temperature for up to 1 day
• After that, store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

In my experience, though, this easy peach upside down cake rarely lasts long once people start slicing it.

Did you make this and love it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below:)

I would LOVE IT if you can leave me a star rating and a review down below and let me know your thoughts! It means the world to me to hear how you liked it.

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