Sweet Southern Peach Crumb Cake Recipe That Tastes Like Sunshine

Summers in Georgia bring memories of my grandmother’s delectable southern peach crumb cake dancing across her weathered wooden kitchen counter.

Sweet local peaches burst with ripeness during peak season.

Soft, buttery cake layers meld perfectly with crisp, caramelized crumb topping.

Fragrant spices whisper hints of cinnamon and nutmeg throughout each delightful slice.

Baking this dessert feels like a warm embrace from cherished southern traditions.

Clusters of golden-brown crumbs promise pure comfort in every heavenly bite.

Why Southern Peach Crumb Cake Deserves a Spot on Your Table

• Versatile Dessert Delight: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats that bring everyone together with its irresistible fruity charm.
• Seasonal Fruit Celebration: Showcase fresh peaches in a mouthwatering dessert that transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular homemade cake with minimal kitchen effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Create a warm, inviting dessert that delivers rich flavors and a tender crumb, guaranteed to impress friends and family with its rustic southern appeal.

Ingredients for Southern Peach Crumb Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic pantry staple for baking.
• Sugar: Sweet and essential for cake texture.
• Butter: Rich and creamy foundation of the cake.
• Eggs: Binding agent for structure.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tangy flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Warm and aromatic flavor enhancer.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents for rise.
• Salt: Balances and enhances other flavors.

• Peaches: Juicy and sweet summer stone fruit.

• Brown Sugar: Deep, caramel-like sweetness.
• Flour: Helps create crumbly texture.
• Cinnamon: Warm and fragrant spice.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
• Butter: Helps bind crumb topping.

Baking the Southern Peach Crumb Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Setup

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F.

Grab a 9-inch round pan and give it a quick spray or butter coat to ensure nothing sticks.

This prevents any cake drama later!

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Sift them together until they’re best friends.

Step 3: Whip Up the Butter Mixture

• Sugar
• Softened butter

Beat these until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like texture.

The mixture should look light and dreamy.

Step 4: Introduce Wet Ingredients

• Vanilla extract
• Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry flour mixture and sour cream into the butter mixture.

Stir carefully – no aggressive mixing allowed!

Stop when everything looks just combined.

Step 6: Layer the Peaches

Pour the batter into your prepared pan.

Arrange fresh peach slices in a beautiful single layer across the top.

Step 7: Craft the Crumb Topping

• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Melted butter

Stir until the mixture creates delightful little clumps.

Step 8: Sprinkle the Topping

Generously scatter the crumb mixture over the peaches, covering them completely.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes.

You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean and the top looks golden brown.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Let the cake cool in the pan.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes this dessert absolutely irresistible!

Tips to Perfect Southern Peach Crumb Cake

• Choose fresh, fragrant peaches that yield slightly when gently pressed to ensure maximum sweetness and juicy texture in your cake.
• Lightly dust peach slices with a tablespoon of flour before arranging them on the batter to help them stay suspended and prevent sinking during baking.
• Mix crumb topping ingredients until they form large, irregular clumps for a crunchy, textured top that adds delightful contrast to the soft cake.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and sour cream to create a more even, tender cake texture that doesn't become too dense or dry.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, and use dairy-free butter and sour cream alternatives for a lactose-free adaptation.

How to Store and Enjoy Southern Peach Crumb Cake Later

• Store leftover peach crumb cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Wrap the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before refrigerating to protect the crumb topping from becoming soggy.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore the cake's original texture and warmth.
• For best taste and texture, consume the cake within 2 days and bring to room temperature before serving to enjoy the full flavor of peaches and crumb topping.

Southern Peach Crumb Cake Pairing Suggestions

• Pair Sweet Southern Peach Crumb Cake with Delightful Companions
• Savor Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream melts beautifully over warm cake, creating a luxurious contrast of temperatures and textures that highlights the cake's peachy sweetness.
• Complement with Chai Latte: Spicy, aromatic chai tea with its warm cinnamon and cardamom notes perfectly echoes the cake's crumb topping and enhances the dessert's Southern comfort flavors.
• Elevate with Bourbon Caramel Sauce: Rich, amber bourbon caramel drizzled over the cake adds depth and a sophisticated adult twist, bringing out the cake's deep caramelized brown sugar undertones.
• Refresh with Mint Iced Tea: Classic Southern mint iced tea provides a crisp, cool counterpoint to the cake's warm, rich flavors, offering a traditional and refreshing beverage pairing.

Southern Peach Crumb Cake Variations That Shine

• Gluten-Free Peach Crumb Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Peach Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and sour cream with dairy-free yogurt for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Peach Cake: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar and reduce the amount of brown sugar in the crumb topping to create a diabetic-friendly option.
• Almond Flour Peach Crumble: Swap traditional flour with almond flour for a nuttier flavor and lower-carb alternative that adds protein and healthy fats.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients to create the perfect texture for this Southern Peach Crumb Cake?

The secret lies in using softened butter, sour cream, and fresh peaches. These ingredients help create a moist, tender cake with a rich, creamy texture that melts in your mouth.

• How do I know if I'm mixing the batter correctly?

Avoid overmixing the batter. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, fold them together just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake instead of a light and fluffy texture.

• Can I use canned peaches instead of fresh ones?

While fresh peaches are recommended for the best flavor, you can use well-drained canned peaches as an alternative. Just make sure to pat them dry to prevent excess moisture in the cake.

• What makes the crumb topping so special in this recipe?

The combination of brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter creates a crispy, caramelized topping that adds a delightful crunch and extra layer of flavor to the cake.

Southern Peach Crumb Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern peach crumb cake delivers pure summer comfort with rustic charm. Layers of buttery cake and juicy peaches topped with crisp, cinnamon-spiced crumble invite you to savor a slice of Southern hospitality.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruit:

• 4 fresh peaches, sliced
• 1 15-ounces (425 grams) can of sliced peaches, drained

Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113 grams) butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream

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Instructions

1. Warm up the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center. Thoroughly coat a 9-inch round baking pan with butter and flour to guarantee easy cake release.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, creating a smooth, lump-free dry ingredient base.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and significantly increased in volume.
4. Incorporate vanilla extract and eggs into the butter mixture, adding eggs one at a time and mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure complete integration.
5. Gently fold the dry flour mixture and sour cream into the butter mixture, alternating between the two. Mix until just combined, being careful to avoid overmixing which can result in a tough cake texture.
6. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the surface. Carefully arrange fresh peach slices in a uniform layer atop the cake batter.
7. Craft the crumb topping by combining brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. Pour melted butter over the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture forms distinctive, irregular clumps.
8. Generously distribute the crumb topping across the peach-covered cake surface, ensuring even coverage.
9. Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and the topping turns a beautiful golden brown.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely within the pan, placed on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature or slightly warm, optionally accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Notes

• Softening butter at room temperature ensures smooth creaming and better cake texture.
• Use ripe, juicy peaches for maximum flavor and natural sweetness in the cake.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake – mix just until ingredients are combined.
• Dust peach slices with a little flour before placing them on the batter to prevent sinking during baking.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg