once upon a chef
FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING – 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour – 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted – 6 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar – ¾ cup pecans, coarsely chopped – Heaping ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon – Pinch salt
FOR THE CAKE – 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off – 1½ teaspoons baking powder – ½ teaspoon salt – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg – ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom – 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened – ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar – 1 large egg – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – ½ cup milk – 1½ pounds peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced about ⅓-inch thick (you'll need 3 to 4 peaches)
Heavy on the streusel and flavored with warm spices, this peach cake makes a lovely summer dessert. Serve it with coffee for brunch or topped with vanilla ice cream after dinner. Use yellow peaches, if possible — white peaches won’t show up as nicely in the cake.
Begin with the topping. In a small bowl, combine the flour, melted butter, brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon, and salt.
Mix until evenly combined and set aside. For the cake, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom in a medium bowl.
Whisk to combine, then set aside
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or beaters, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla.
Beat until combined, about 20 seconds. Add the flour mixture and milk.
Beat on low speed until evenly incorporated. (Note: the batter will be quite thick.)
Transfer the batter to a 9-inch springform pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Arrange the peaches on top in concentric circles, pressing them partially into the batter.
Using a spoon and/or your fingers, sprinkle the clumpy streusel topping over the peaches. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until golden on top and set in the center, and a cake tester comes out clean.
Serve alone or topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.