This Southern Peach Crumb Cake is a sweet treat packed with juicy peaches and topped with a delightful cinnamon crumb. It’s perfect for breakfast or dessert!
Trust me, this cake smells heavenly when it’s baking. I can never resist a slice with a dollop of whipped cream—it’s like a hug in cake form! 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Fresh Peaches: The star of this cake! Use ripe, juicy peaches for the best flavor. If peaches aren’t in season, you can substitute canned peaches (drained) or use diced apples or pears for a different twist.
Unsalted Butter: For a balanced flavor, I recommend unsalted butter. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt in the recipe a little. Vegan butter also works if you prefer a dairy-free option.
Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness and moisture. You can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor or coconut sugar for a hint of caramel-like taste, but it may slightly alter the texture.
Milk: Whole milk helps keep the cake moist. If you’re dairy-free, almond milk or oat milk is a great substitute, but stick with unsweetened to keep the sweetness balanced.
How Do I Ensure the Crumb Topping Stays Crunchy?
The crumb topping is key to the cake’s texture. Here’s how to get it right:
- Mix your ingredients until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to a dense topping.
- Use melted butter to create that crumbly texture, but let it cool slightly before mixing in to avoid clumping.
- Make sure to sprinkle it evenly over the batter and don’t press it down—this helps with crunchiness.
By following these steps, you’ll create a lovely, crunchy topping that complements your soft cake beautifully!
Southern Peach Crumb Cake with Sweet Cinnamon Topping
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced (about 4-5 medium peaches)
For the Cinnamon Crumb Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Southern Peach Crumb Cake will take about 15 minutes to prepare and 45-55 minutes to bake. Once it’s baked, let it cool for a little while, and then you can dive in! So, set aside about 1 hour and 15 minutes total, plus additional time to cool if you want to serve it warm.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Get Ready!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, take a 9×13-inch baking pan and grease it well with butter or spray it lightly with cooking spray. Then, dust it with a little flour, tapping out the excess.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 ½ cups of flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. This mix helps everything rise and adds flavor to your cake. Set this bowl aside for a moment.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes. It’s perfectly okay to take breaks to scrape down the sides of the bowl!
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps the mixture stay fluffy. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for some extra yum!
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now it’s time to mix! Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix just until everything is combined—don’t overdo it!
6. Fold in the Peaches:
Gently fold the sliced peaches into the batter. Be careful not to mash them too much; we want those juicy chunks to stay intact!
7. Prepare for Baking:
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula so it cooks nice and uniformly.
8. Make the Crumb Topping:
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt for the crumb topping. Pour in the melted butter and stir until it looks crumbly and comes together. This will create that sweet, crispy topping we all love!
9. Top It Off:
Sprinkle that crumb topping evenly over the peach batter. Make sure to cover as much of the batter as possible!
10. Bake to Perfection:
Put the pan in the oven and bake it for 45-55 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
11. Cool Down:
Once baked, take it out of the oven and let it cool in the pan placed on a wire rack. Allow it to cool for about 15-20 minutes if you can—this will help it set a bit!
12. Serve and Enjoy:
Now the best part! Serve your Southern Peach Crumb Cake warm or at room temperature. It’s delicious on its own or served with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that extra treat. Enjoy every bite!
FAQ for Southern Peach Crumb Cake with Sweet Cinnamon Topping
Can I Use Frozen Peaches Instead of Fresh?
Absolutely! If using frozen peaches, make sure to thaw them first and pat them dry to remove excess moisture. This helps prevent the cake from becoming too soggy.
Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can substitute regular all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure that your baking powder is gluten-free as well. The texture might be slightly different, but it should still turn out delicious!
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, it can be refrigerated for up to a week. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature or warm it up before serving.
Can I Add Other Fruits to This Recipe?
Definitely! While peaches are the star here, you can mix in or replace them with other fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or chopped apples for a fun twist. Just keep the total amount of fruit around 3 cups for the best results.
