Peach and Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake
9/15/20081 stick plus 3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 medium-ripe peaches, skins on, pitted, and cut into -inch wedges
1 cup coarse yellow cornmeal
cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoons coarse salt
3 large eggs
teaspoon pure vanilla extract
cup heavy cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, using a pastry brush to coat sides with butter as it melts. Sprinkle cup sugar evenly over bottom of skillet and cook until sugar starts to bubble and turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Arrange peaches in a circle at edge of skillet, on top of sugar. Arrange remaining wedges in the center to fill. Reduce heat to low, and cook until juices are bubbling and peaches begin to soften, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat.
Whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Beat remaining stick of butter and cup sugar with a mixer on high speed, until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down sides of bowl. Mix in vanilla and cream. Reduce speed to low, and beat in cornmeal mixture in 2 additions.
Drop large spoonfuls of batter over peaches, and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Bake until golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Transfer skillet to a wire rack, and let stand for 10 minutes. Run a knife or spatula around the edge of cake. Quickly invert cake onto serving plate. Tap bottom of skillet to release peaches, and carefully remove skillet. If necessary, reposition peach slices on top of cake. Let cool slightly before serving.
Yield: 10 servings
Source: Adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe