Gluten-free, peach-cornmeal upside-down cake

This recipe is one of those that feels so special you want to save it for an occasion, but really, it's great anytime.

The original recipe wasn't gluten-free, but has so little flour in it that it was an easy gluten-free makeover. One of the things I really like here is that you start the cake in a cast-iron skillet, and then just transfer to the oven for final baking.

Enjoy!



Gluten-free, peach-cornmeal upside-down cake (adapted from Martha Stewart Living)

1 stick butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
3 peaches, cut into 3/4-inch wedges
1 c. yellow cornmeal
3/4 c. brown rice flour (you can use any flour that you usually bake with)
1 t. baking powder
2 t. chopped fresh lavender
1 1/4 t. coarse salt
3 large eggs
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. whipping cream, plus more for topping if desired

Preheat over to 350-degrees (F). Melt 2 T. butter in a 10" cast-iron skillet using pastry brush to coat sides. Sprinkle with 1/4 c. sugar and cook until bubbly and golden brown. Arrange peaches as shown on top of sugar. Reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes or so until peaches soften. Remove from heat.

Beat remaining butter and sugar with mixer on high until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla and cream. Whisk remaining dry ingredients together and then add to butter mixture.

Drop large spoonfuls of batter over peaces and spread. Bake until golden brown and a tester comes out clean (about 20-25 minutes). Let stand 10 minutes and then run a knife around the edge of cake. Quickly invert cake onto a cutting board. Let cool before serving. I like it with fresh whipped cream with just a touch of vanilla and sugar added.

Applesauce cake a 3-year-old can make

When Anna and I want to bake something yummy for snack time, this is one of our staples. It's super easy, not too sweet, and works nicely for breakfast (it's actually quite healthy) but disguises itself as a “treat”.

As with most things I bake, I modified the original recipe to include whole wheat flour, and I dramatically cut back on the sugar.

After it's cooled, you can make it a little sweeter, and a little more fun, by dusting with powdered sugar. And don't think this cake is only good if you have kids — it's perfect for that 3 p.m. pick me up with a cup of coffee.

And no, Anna did not clone herself! That other head-banded beauty is Anna's friend, Emma — because applesauce cake is best when shared!

Enjoy!

Applesauce Cake (modified from FamilyFun, September 2007)

1 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup white flour
1 t baking soda
3/4 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t cloves
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg plus 1 yolk
1 t vanilla
1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Mix dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add in eggs and sugar. Add applesauce and dry ingredients and mix (with a spoon, not the beaters). Bake at 350 in a 9-inch, sprayed (or buttered) cake pan for 35-45 minutes (the time can really vary — you want it to be firm but not too hard.) Let cool for an hour if you can stand the wait — then dust with powdered sugar (or not) at enjoy!