Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Summery Nectarine and Lime Cake

While I was shopping yesterday, I saw my favourite summer stone fruit - the Nectarine.  I love it's smooth skin - much nicer than that of it's hairy cousin the Peach, and I could quite happily sit down with a whole punnet and devour them all in the sunshine.  But it's raining outside so I decided to turn my lovely nectarines into a comforting cake with lime zest added for some brightness and acidity.  I know that my Mammy in Law will appreciate a generous slice of this for her after dinner treat, as will we.


As this cake bakes, the fruit sinks into the soft batter so when it comes out of the oven, the fruit is nowhere to be seen, which is a bit of a disappointment.  Fear not, just turn it upside down and there are the nectarines, all warm and snug and surrounded by sticky, luscious cake.

Summery Nectarine and Lime Cake
175g Butter, very soft
150g Caster Sugar
Zest of 1 Lime, finely grated
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 Eggs
120g Plain Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
3 tbsp Creme Fraiche
3 Nectarines, sliced

Preheat your oven to 160c/Gas Mark 3.  Grease and line a 9-inch (25cm) springform tin.


Beat the butter, sugar, lime zest and vanilla together for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well.  Feel free to give the bowl a little scrape with a spatula to make sure it's all well combined.


Now add the flour, baking powder and creme fraiche, folding through until mixed.


Pour the cake batter into your lined tin and level out.  Top with the sliced nectarines (I find it easier to run a knife around the nectarine so the slices fall off the stone, rather than trying to twist the fruit away - the fruit tends to get a bit battered this way).

Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.


Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 15 minutes.  Turn the cake onto a plate, base side up. Unpeel the baking paper to reveal the nectarines.  Dust with icing sugar and serve with lots of whipped cream or a dollop of creme fraiche.




4 comments:

  1. I have a punnet of nectarines in the fridge crying out to be eaten/used up. This will be perfect.

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  2. This looks amazing! Need to go and buy some nectarines!

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  3. Thanks guys. It looks very disappointing when it comes out of the oven because the fruit has vanished... but incredible when you turn it upside down. The Mammy in Law loved it!

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