Gotta be honest with you: I don’t usually bake with fruit.
Have you noticed? Seriously, it’s not typically my bag. When you’re addicted to chocolate and peanut butter, fruit falls by the wayside. At least, it does in baked goods.
Now fruit on its own, raw, is a different animal entirely. And my number one favorite fruit of all time is the white nectarine. When perfectly ripe, it’s sweet and juicy and better than anything. I hate to do anything to them but eat them as they are. But every now and then, you get a less than amazing batch. Actually, more than that. So that’s when you bake them into cake!
While pineapple upside-down cakes have never been a thing for me, I am a big fan of using other fruit. Pineapples can be saved for pureed, frosty drinks on tropical islands. You dig?
Man, it’s been a while since I’ve been to a tropical island. The last time was June of 2007. Kenny and I went to St. Lucia and he got completely addicted to pineapple daiquiris. He kept sipping and sipping, and then he suggested we have a baby. And the rest is history. It also explains why we haven’t taken a big vacation since 2007.
See, I’m terrified of going on a plane with three small children. I see parents doing it (or bragging about doing it), their car seats strapped to their backs and endless luggage piled around them. Nope. Not for me. I fully admit to being a wuss when it comes to kids and travel, so I’m happy to wait a few more years for a pineapple daiquiri to come back into Kenny’s life.
In the meantime, I’ll just have to get my warm-weather fix here in our nation’s capital. It’s plenty hot here, and there’ s fruit. So there you have it.
This cake is pretty easy to make with no mixer required. And you don’t have to peel the nectarines, nor do they have to be ripe. So really, there’s no excuse for you not to jump on this bandwagon now, especially because it’s a delicious place to be.
Some upside-down cakes are made partly in a skillet, but I didn’t go that route because not everyone has skillets they can put into the oven. Can you tell I’m terrified of fire, even on behalf of everyone else? Instead, melted butter and brown sugar are mixed in the bottom of a cake pan, topped with the sliced fruit, and then covered in batter. Yes, my kids helped me with this one. It’s that simple.
And it’s a fantastic company dessert. I rarely have dinner gatherings these days, but I had one the night I made this, and it went over very well. Especially with vanilla ice cream on top. People had seconds. I had thirds after everyone left!
There’s some amazing fruit around this time of year, but if it disappoints, stop eating it and turn it into cake. It’ll make a great picnic dessert, and everyone will be so impressed! You can use their compliments to hold you over until your next tropical vacation. Hope it’s soon!
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Summer’s over. I’ve finally accepted it. But I’m not quite ready to let go.
You see, summer comes with wonderful desserts. And ice cream. Have I mentioned ice cream?
This past week, I made a fantastic poke cake. It was so delicious. And the photos were a complete #epicfail. So instead of hanging my head in shame, I’m going to share my favorites with you from this past summer!
Summer is birthday season in my house. Birthdays pop up one after the other, and with them, a parade of cakes. As the resident cake baker, that makes me pretty busy.
I’m all about easy baking, but there’s no way to cheat a layer cake. Steps have to be followed. Still, making it as easy as possible is ideal, and this chocolate cake is three things: incredible, simple, and gluten-free.
If you’re a doubter, you need to try this. I served this cake at my daughter’s birthday party to a group of people who either openly or covertly believe that gluten-free baking is crap. This cake proved them all wrong.
My baby is two! I can’t believe it. And I know that’s something everyone says, but really, my youngest is tiny. She’s very small for her age and always has been, so I am a little shocked every time I realize how old she’s getting.
Despite her smallness, my daughter can really eat. Every day when I get home from work, she looks at me and says, full of hope, “Want chocolate.” And you know what? I give it to her. Because I totally understand her, and because she’s cute. And because she’ll throw a mean tantrum if I don’t. That’s good parenting in action, people.
So for her birthday, I took the most intense chocolate cake recipe I could think of and made cupcakes out of it. Minnie Mouse cupcakes, to be exact. Because the only thing my daughter loves as much as chocolate is Minnie Mouse.
I’ve been wanting to make an upside down cake with something other than pineapple. This one looks so good! I can’t believe I’ve never had a nectarine… 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Marshmallow Whipped Cream
Never? But you live in CA, land of the best produce!! Dorothy, gotta change that up now. I’m for serious. 🙂
I love that you made an upside down cake with nectarines! I love pineapple upside down cake, but nectarines sound so much better. I’d bet this wouldn’t last long around me 🙂
Danielle recently posted…Mango Guacamole
It didn’t around me, Danielle! And there was no chocolate in it. Crazy!
Nectarines are one of my favourites too. And I’m with you on preferring to bake with chocolate and peanut butter rather than fruit. I’d rather just eat my fruit. But I DO have a less than stellar batch of peaches right now so I just may have to do some baking! 🙂 This cake looks delicious!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Curried Chicken Salad
Thanks, Stacey! Give it a shot. It’s not hard at all!
Mir!!! you need to bake with fruit more often!! I love this cake!!! and “he kept sipping and sipping, and then he suggested we have a baby.” I almost spit out my water because I swear this is how my second niece was conceived. . only it was Hawaii and mai tai’s. . 🙂 and hey, you know what? Don’t sweat the traveling. . go when you’re ready and when the kids are a little older. . but it is possible. . I used to travel a ton with my girls SOLO b/c I would take them back and forth to Texas to see their grandparents. . it wasn’t easy sometimes but it’s doable. . and on the hard flights, there was always some kind soul who helped me (instead of giving me dirty looks if one of the girls was crying). and if you’re able to travel with Kenny, it would seriously be a piece of white nectarine upside down cake. 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Grilled Eggplant Bun Burger + A Giveaway!
That’s how so many babies are conceived, I’m betting. We should all swear off the drink in our childbearing years. I give you MAD props for travelling alone with your girls. I just cannot. Total wimp. And those strangers who give dirty looks should have a special circle in hell. Kind strangers are so much better!
I love upside down cake, but I have never tried with Nectarine yet. This one looks so inviting. And now after seeing this, I can’t resist more. SO I will be making this very soon! Thanks for this lovely share:)
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Strawberry Masala Chaas (Spiced Strawberry Buttermilk)
My pleasure, Anu! Nectarines are the best, really. I feel strongly about this. 🙂
This cake looks gorgeous, Mir! Nectarines are such an underrated fruit in my opinion. I’m loving that you made an upside down cake with this fruit. It looks so moist and flavorful. Delish!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Quinoa Caprese Salad
Thanks, Gayle! Nectarines are SO underrated. You speak truth!
I totally feel you. Why bake with fruit when you can bake with chocolate and peanut butter haha. But, a fruit cake like this one can really hit the spot.
I used to make pineapple upside down cake with my grandma, but I haven’t had it with nectarines before.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Feta, Avocado and Roasted Red Pepper Sandwich by Dannii
Every now and then we can do it, Dannii! But yep, PB and chocolate most of the time is my way.
Hi Mir,
I’ve been on the hunt for something to bake with peaches or nectarines (that isn’t a pie) and this looks like the answer! I can’t wait to try it 🙂
Ali recently posted…Blue and White Delight
I’m so glad, Ali! I hope it turns out well for you! Let me know if you have any questions!
I’m the same as you regarding fruit in my dessert but this looks like something I’d love! White nectarine upside-down cake just sounds so good!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun recently posted…Cheesecake Stuffed Dark Chocolate Cake
It worked great, Sam! As a fellow non-fruit dessert person, I’d recommend this one!
Pineapple upside down cake reminds me of my Grandmother, while I adore her and the woman CAN bake a mean cake- it has never been one of my favorites. So I totally “dig” what you are saying. Now this deliciousness you have going on here? Different story, for sure. I can’t wait to give it a try! Cheers and thanks for sharing!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Blueberry & Whipped Mint Mascarpone Crostini {with Almonds & Honey}
Thanks, Cheyanne! My grandmother also baked some really good things that weren’t necessarily my fave. So now I get to do it my own way! Hope you enjoy doing the same thing!
Baking with fruit is awesome because of its natural sweetness! I love white nectarines and this cake looks delicious 🙂
Pretty much, Medha! I’m glad we agree. 🙂
Beautiful cake Mir! Nectarines are my favourite too – but I’m always torn between the white and yellow fleshed ones. I’ve never tried using nectarines in an upside down cake before, but it sounds like a great idea, this looks really delicious!
Harriet Emily recently posted…ILLUSTRATION: CUPCAKES
The yellow ones are tarter, and therefore not as big in my world. I like the sweet stuff, Harriet Emily!
Pineapple upside down cake is one of my favorite cakes, actually I love fruit-y desserts! so want to grab a piece of this nectarine cake right now!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake
I’m glad you like the pineapple kind, Manali! After all, it’s popular for a reason. I just need to switch it up sometimes!
I rarely have success with baked fruit desserts, but this is something I would like to try! Looks delicious Mir!
mira recently posted…Grilling With a Twist with Morningstar Farms – Roasted Garlic And Quinoa Burgers
You’ll have success with this one, Mira. I promise!
Hi Mir! I’m always finishing up the fruits before they have the chance to end up in bakes, unless they are ripening so fast that I can’t finish them in time (which is hardly the case haha). This nectarine cake looks amazing! We see a lot of stone fruits at the market here too and I’m gonna stock up this weekend, hopefully some will end up in a delicious cake like yours!
Jasline (Foodie Baker) recently posted…Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)
Thanks, Jasline! I have the opposite problem. I’m slow eating everything, and fruits/veggies are no exception. My husband jokes that it takes me months to get through a box of chocolate!
Nectarines are probably my favorite summer fruit. Love that you made an upside down cake with them!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Chocolate Zucchini Sheet Cake And White Lily’s New Premium Flours
Thanks, Christin! They’re my absolute favorite. What is better than a sweet nectarine?
I made an upside down nectarine cake once, and it was amazing. Yours looks super tasty!!
Also, I totally agree with you. I could never get on board with pineapple upside down cakes..
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness recently posted…Inside Out Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’m so glad I’m not alone, Cathleen! I dunno. They just never did it for me!
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