Grilled Peach Upside-Down Cake
June 2007
Grilling the peaches draws out their natural sugars through caramelization.
Makes: 8 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Cook:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 1/4cups sugar
- 1/2teaspoon plus a pinch salt
- 1/2teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 large peaches (about 2 1/4 pounds) 4 peeled and thinly sliced, 1 peeled and chopped
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2teaspoons baking soda
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup hazelnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
- Build a charcoal fire or preheat a gas grill. In a deep 10-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over indirect medium-low heat. Stir in 1/4 cup sugar and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add a pinch salt, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and the sliced peaches. Cook until caramelized, about 5 minutes. Arrange the fruit in an even layer in the pan and let cool.
- In a medium bowl, toss the chopped peaches with the remaining 2 cups sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Sift together the flour, baking soda and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and oil, then add the vanilla. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture until well mixed. Stir in the chopped peach-sugar mixture. Fold in the hazelnuts. Let the batter stand for 15 minutes. Stir the batter again (it will be very thick) and spread over the cooled fruit in the skillet.
- Place the skillet in the center of the grill and bake over indirect medium-low heat, with the lid down, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Let cool for 15 minutes. Invert onto a platter and serve warm.