Peach Upside-Down Cake III

Recipe View Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). (5 minutes)

Recipe View Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Score the stem end of each peach with an 'X'. Gently place the peaches in the boiling water for approximately 1 minute, or until the skins begin to soften. Immediately transfer the peaches to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Once cool enough to handle, peel the peaches. Halve and pit them. (10 minutes)

Recipe View In a 9-inch cast-iron skillet, combine 1/3 cup of the sugar with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sugar begins to melt and caramelize slightly. Be careful not to burn the sugar. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Arrange the peach halves, cut-side up, in a single layer in the skillet, packing them tightly. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside. (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a large bowl, using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon butter with the canola oil until light and combined. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Add the egg, beating until smooth, then beat in the vanilla and almond extracts. (2 minutes)

Recipe View With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the buttermilk and the reserved flour mixture, alternating between the two, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just incorporated. Do not overmix. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Spoon the batter evenly over the peaches in the skillet, gently spreading it to cover the fruit. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester (or toothpick) inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (25 minutes)

Recipe View Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for 3 to 4 minutes. (4 minutes)

Recipe View Carefully loosen the edges of the cake from the skillet with a knife. Place a serving plate over the skillet and invert the cake onto the plate. (2 minutes)

Recipe View If any of the peaches stick to the skillet, gently remove them with a knife and arrange them back onto the cake. Serve warm or at room temperature. (2 minutes)