One of my favorite things to bake in the summer is this nectarine tea cake. It’s a great way to use stone fruit that I have on the counter. There are so many ways you can go with in this cake. You can use nectarines, peaches, plums or apricots. In the fall I make it with sliced apples and cinnamon.
It is important to use fruit that is not too ripe or the cake will turn out soggy. Firm ripe is the best here where the fruit has just a little give when you press it with your finger. Flavorings like vanilla, lemon zest, and nutmeg gives the cake a delicate flavor. You can use any 8-inch, round or square baking dish, or springform pan. When using a round springform pan, make sure you butter the pan, line it with parchment, and butter the parchment.
Make the Cake
First, let the butter, eggs, and half and half sit on the counter for at least thirty minutes to bring it to room temperature. Next, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, butter the baking dish well and set it aside. Take 2 tablespoons of sugar (out of the 1 cup of sugar) and mix it with the ground nutmeg in a small bowl. Set this mixture aside for the topping.
You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer to mix the batter. Beat the butter and remaining sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the sides with a silicone spatula and beat again to mix. On low speed, stir in the flour, baking powder, vanilla, lemon zest, salt, and half and half. Scrape the sides and mix again. Spread the batter evenly into the buttered baking dish or pan. Arrange fruit slices on top of the batter. I used a square baking dish, so I lined up the fruit as in picture below, making sure the slices touch each other. As the batter rises, the fruit slices will separate a bit. If you are using a round springform pan, arrange the fruit in a spiral pattern. Bake the cake in the oven for 45 minutes or when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Because every oven is different, check with a toothpick at 40 minutes. When the cake is ready, transfer it to a wire rack to cool. Dust it lightly with powdered sugar on top.
Take advantage of the stone fruits we have in season now and make this summer cake. It’s perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
Nectarine Tea Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar divided
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened + more to butter pan
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- ¼ cup half & half at room temperature
- 2 nectarines sliced 1/4 inch thick
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp lemon zest packed
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Let butter, eggs, half and half sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, set aside 2 tablespoons (from the 1 cup) of the sugar and mix it with the ground nutmeg for the topping. Butter an 8-inch round or square baking dish or cake pan.
- Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and remaining sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat together after each addition. Scrape the sides and mix again. Add the half and half, vanilla, lemon zest, baking powder and flour then mix together until well combined. Scrape the sides and mix again.
- Pour the batter into the buttered baking dish. Gently swirl it around to evenly spread the batter.
- Arrange nectarine slices on top of the batter. Sprinkle the sugar and nutmeg mixture on top of fruit slices. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted on the center comes out clean. When it's ready, transfer the cake on a wire rack. Dust the cake lightly with powdered sugar on top. Let cake cool for a few minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.