Peach Upside-down Cake
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Preheat oven to 375 

For topping: 

1 1/2 pounds firm just-ripe yellow peaches (about 3-4) 
1 stick unsalted butter 
1/2 cup sugar 

For cake batter: 

Stir together and set aside: 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 1/2 tsp baking powder 
3/4 tsp salt 

Beat together: 

1 stick unsalted butter, softened 
1/2 cup sugar 
1 tsp vanilla 
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated (on a ginger grater) 
Add one at a time: 

2 large eggs 

Stir in: 

1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt) 

Gradually add flour mixture until just combined. 

Stir in: 

1/2 a peach, peeled and chopped fine (try to include the juice) 

To prepare the topping, peel and quarter the peaches. In an ovenproof 10"
skillet, melt the butter over low heat and stir in the sugar till dissolved. Place the
peach quarters on their tummies in the butter and sugar, and let the mixture cook
over very low heat until the sugar darkens and the peaches are soft, about 30
minutes. 

While the topping cooks, prepare the cake. 

When the peaches are ready and the cake batter is mixed, take the skillet off the
heat and spoon the batter over the peaches, leaving a half-inch border
uncovered around the edges (the cake will expand to cover the whole top).
Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes or until the cake tests done. 

Cool 10 minutes, run a knife around the rim to loosen, then carefully invert onto
a plate. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. 

Notes and Variations: 

For a little extra kick, add chopped candied ginger to the cake batter. 

Add coarsely chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds) to the topping as it cooks. 

In other seasons, this cake is great with apples instead of peaches. Use grated
apple in the batter, too. You can even make this cake with canned pineapple
slices! 

Try different flavorings in the cake, like orange rind instead of ginger, and/or
flavored yogurt instead of sour cream. 

When baking, this cake may overflow. You might want to put a pan or a piece
of aluminum foil underneath to catch the drips. 
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Copyright 1996 Elizabeth Crane, ecrane@well.com