Southern Peach Crumb Cake is one of those treats folks dream about after a lazy Sunday lunch. Maybe you don’t have perfect baking skills, or maybe you’ve never tried a cake from scratch. Either way, this one’s easy and oh-so-forgiving. If you love peach desserts like me, you’ll want to bookmark this and maybe check out our simple guide for summer fruit desserts and a peach cobbler recipe for a bit of variety. Trust me, you’re about to impress yourself.
Southern Peach Crumb Cake 🍑✨
Description
Are you ready to elevate your dessert game with a dish that’s bursting with flavor, nostalgia, and just the right amount of crumbly goodness? Enter the Southern Peach Crumb Cake! This delightful cake is like a warm hug from your grandma on a sunny afternoon, perfect for impressing your family or treating yourself after a long day. With juicy peaches and a buttery crumble, this recipe is perfect for any occasion, and the best part? It’s super easy to whip up, even for the busiest bee in the hive!
Ingredients
- 1–1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish. This baby is going to bubble and ooze, and we don’t want it to cling to the pan like an overly clingy friend!
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This is your dry mixture, and it’s going to help the cake rise like a champ!
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. It should spill sunshine—if it doesn’t, you might need to whip a little longer!
- Add the Eggs: Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This is where the magic begins, trust me!
- Stir in Vanilla: Next, add the vanilla extract and stir to incorporate that lovely aroma. Seriously, if you could bottle this scent, you’d be rich!
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overdo it here; we want a tender crumb rather than a tough cake.
- Fold in the Peaches: Now, gently fold in those luscious diced peaches. It might feel like you’re hugging them before they go into the oven, and honestly, that’s okay!
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. That golden crust is going to be so tempting!
- Cool before Serving: Once out of the oven, let it cool for a bit before slicing. Remember, patience is a virtue, and your eager taste testers will thank you for the wait!
Notes
- Peachy Variations: Don’t have fresh peaches? No worries! You can use frozen peaches, just make sure to thaw and drain them first.
- Add a Twist: Feeling adventurous? Toss in some chopped nuts or a scoop of chocolate chips for added texture. Who says you have to follow the rules?
- Storage: This cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—if it lasts that long!
Why You’ll Love Southern Peach Crumb Cake
Let’s talk about flavor straight off the bat. This cake has the kind of buttery, crumbly topping that makes you weak in the knees. Imagine sweet, juicy peach slices tucked under a brown sugar crumble that’s just asking to be pinched sneaky-style before serving. Seriously. If you like ordinary coffee cake, wait till you meet this Southern Peach Crumb Cake cousin with its extra shot of sunshine.
Another reason to love it? It’s a one-bowl-wonder. No fancy mixers or gadgets. And cleanup? You’ll barely break a sweat. Since we all know life’s too short for complicated desserts, this cake fits right in with those easy homemade classics. Even picky eaters (like my nephew who, I swear, eats only four foods) seem to come around with a slice in front of them. The best part is, it feels like a taste of summer any time of year.
How To Make Southern Peach Crumb Cake
Alright, grab your apron. Here’s what you need: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, ripe peaches (fresh are best, but canned work if desperate), unsalted butter, eggs, baking powder, milk, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. If you want it extra special, a splash of vanilla extract and a squirt of lemon juice add some zing.
Start with your topping. Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and diced cold butter in a small bowl. Mush them up with your fingers till it gets crumbly. Don’t melt the butter; cold bits are what give the cake that special texture.
For the cake base, whisk your sugar and eggs until they look kind of fluffy, then toss in the dry stuff, alternating with milk. If your batter’s a little lumpy, don’t freak out — this is real food, not a food magazine spread. Pour that into a buttered pan, layer peach slices on top, and gently press them in. Spoon the crumb topping over everything. Bake at 350°F for 40–50 minutes. The house will smell like a five-star restaurant (maybe better). Toothpick comes out mostly clean? You’re done.
Cool if you can stand to wait. Nobody does, though.
Storage Options
Okay, say you managed to save some (unlikely in my house). Here’s how to make it last.
First, room temp works if it’s just one night. Cover tightly.
Fridge is better if you want the cake fresh for several days. It’ll last 4–5 days in an airtight container.
Freezing? Go for it. Wrap slices in foil, then plastic wrap. Thaw on the counter and zap for 10 seconds if you like it warm.
Never store with wet peaches on top. It’ll get soggy fast.
My aunt says she actually likes hers straight from the fridge, but I vote for warm, always.
Variations and Substitutions
Everybody in the South adds their spin, so mess around with it. Got nectarines instead of peaches? Works. No brown sugar? Use coconut sugar or just double up the white stuff. Want nuts? Pecans in the crumb topping are honestly legendary. Gluten allergy? Swap in your favorite gluten-free flour and hope for the best (I have, and it’s solid).
Sometimes, I sneak in a teaspoon of nutmeg or ginger for character. If peaches aren’t peak, a little extra sugar can help. Don’t sweat the small stuff — Southern Peach Crumb Cake is flexible. If it looks rustic, that means it’s homemade. People will eat every crumb anyway.
“I made this for our neighborhood cookout, and every single slice was gone in 15 minutes. One neighbor asked if I’d teach her how to make it… and I barely know what I’m doing in the kitchen!” —Angela W.
Grandma’s Peach Crumb Cake
You know how every family has their “secret” way? My grandma would always mix sour cream right into the batter for a softer crumb — it’s a genius move. She’d sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg, too, which I think makes it taste more nostalgic (if that’s even a thing).
Her other rule? Never skimp on peaches. If you’ve got a mountain of them, just shove extras into the batter. The cake holds plenty. And for breakfast, we serve it cold with coffee — totally a meal, don’t argue.
Beyond all that, this cake screams “home.” It’s a showstopper, not because it’s fancy, but because it’s classic. People remember those flavors.
Common Questions
Can I use frozen peaches?
Absolutely. Just thaw and pat dry first, or the cake will turn out watery.
Does it work as muffins?
Yep! Just drop spoonfuls in greased muffin tins and bake about 25 minutes or so.
What if I only have canned peaches?
Rinse off the syrup and let them dry out some. Works almost as well as fresh.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
For sure. Use a 9×13 pan and bump up the cook time a little.
Is it better warm or cold?
Tough question! I’m team warm, but leftovers from the fridge have a certain magic too.
Bring On the Peaches
That’s the scoop. Southern Peach Crumb Cake is approachable, crowd-pleasing, and honestly, worth the little bit of effort. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your go-to for family dinners or lazy Sunday afternoons. For more inspiration, check out this Southern peach crumb cake recipe with fresh peaches or see how That Oven Feelin does their own Southern Peach Crumb Cake twist. Whatever you do, bake with a heavy sprinkle of love and maybe a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling wild.
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