Well folks it's that time of year (I believe its called summer) when fresh fruit is at its best and cheapest .Peaches are yet another example. My local supermarket is selling pannets of six Peaches for a £1 each, or buy 2 and get one free!

So you have loads of Peaches. What do you do with them all? If you have a large family then fine, if not most will go over ripe and end up in the bin. You could just try to eat them before they go off, if so make sure you have plenty of toilet tissue to hand! So just for a change why not try out my Peach Upside-down Cake recipe. This serves 4/6.

INGREDIENTS

For the Peaches
1½ pounds peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced ½ inch thick
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup sugar

For the Cake
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2½ cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup of milk

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 350º F, 180º C or Gas Mark 4

Place the peaches in a large bowl with the cinnamon and nutmeg. Then set aside.

In a medium size bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In another large bowl, cream together half the butter and the1½ cups of sugar. Mix until a pale yellow. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well together.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Add the milk and mix again until just combined. Set aside.

In a large cast iron dish (or other ovenproof dish) over medium heat, add the rest of the butter and ½ cup of sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon as the butter and sugar melts. Continue to stir until it caramelises and becomes a light brown syrup. Remove from heat.

Add the peaches to the dish and spread them out into one even layer. Pour the cake mixture evenly over the top of the peaches.
Place in oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

The cake will be golden brown and pull away from the edge of the dish when cooked.
Let it cool, then invert onto a large serving platter.