This Southern Peach Crumb Cake is a warm hug on a plate! Soft cake is topped with juicy peaches and a delicious cinnamon crumb topping that makes every bite sweet and comforting.
I can’t help but smile when I bake this cake because the smell fills the whole house. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert, especially with a scoop of ice cream on top. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Peaches: Fresh, ripe peaches are a must for this cake! If they’re out of season, canned peaches in juice (not syrup) are a great alternative. Make sure to drain and pat them dry to avoid too much moisture.
Buttermilk: This ingredient adds moisture and a slight tang. If you don’t have any, you can make your own by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes before using.
Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted butter so that I can control the saltiness of the cake. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt by a pinch.
Flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly, but you can substitute with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture. Just keep in mind it may change the taste slightly.
How Can I Get the Perfect Crumb Topping?
The crumb topping is where this cake shines! Getting the right texture is key. You want it to be crumbly, but not too dry. Here’s how to achieve that:
- Start with cold butter. This helps create those nice crumbs as it doesn’t fully blend into the dry ingredients.
- Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together first. This ensures the flavors are evenly distributed before you add the butter. Aim for pea-sized clumps!
- Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine the cold butter with the dry mix. Be gentle; you don’t want to overwork it.
- For a crunchier topping, feel free to add a handful of oats for texture and flavor.
Southern Peach Crumb Cake with Sweet Cinnamon Topping
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
For The Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cake will take about 15 minutes for preparation and 45-50 minutes for baking. After that, give it a bit of time to cool. Altogether, you’re looking at roughly an hour and a half before you can enjoy a slice (or two!). Perfect for a lovely afternoon treat or a cozy dessert!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Pan:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan so that your cake doesn’t stick. A quick tip: using parchment paper at the bottom can make it easier to lift out the cake later!
2. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents, ensuring your cake rises beautifully.
3. Creaming the Butter and Sugar:
Now, in a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. It’s like whipping some happiness into the batter! Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Lastly, stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients:
It’s time for the fun part! Alternately add your whisked dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the butter mixture. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined; you want a smooth batter but not overmixed.
5. Assembling the Layers:
Pour half of the lovely batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Now, it’s time to add half of those beautiful peach slices on top of the batter. Gently pour the rest of the batter over the peaches, making sure to cover them well.
6. Topping with More Peaches:
Arrange the remaining peach slices on top, creating a gorgeous peachy layer that will shine through once baked.
7. Making the Crumb Topping:
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the crumb topping. Add in your cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, combine until you get coarse crumbs—it should look a bit like sandy pebbles!
8. Adding the Crumb Topping:
Now sprinkle that lovely crumb topping evenly over the peaches. This will give your cake that irresistible crunchy sweetness.
9. Baking to Perfection:
Pop your cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the topping is gorgeously golden brown. Don’t forget to enjoy the heavenly aroma wafting through your kitchen!
10. Letting It Cool:
Once it’s done, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps in setting the cake nicely.
11. Serving Suggestions:
Serve the cake warm or at room temperature. It’s delicious on its own, but you can also top it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat!
Enjoy your Southern Peach Crumb Cake with family and friends—it’s bound to be a hit!
FAQ – Southern Peach Crumb Cake with Sweet Cinnamon Topping
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh Ones?
Absolutely! If using frozen peaches, make sure to thaw them in the fridge overnight or in a bowl of cold water for a few hours. Drain the excess liquid and pat them dry with a paper towel to prevent your cake from becoming too wet.
Can I Make This Cake Without Buttermilk?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly, and it will work perfectly in this recipe.
How Can 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 well in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn!
Can I Add Nuts to the Crumb Topping?
Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts would make a lovely addition to the crumb topping. Just mix about ½ cup of chopped nuts into the crumb mixture for added crunch and flavor!
