Peach, Citrus and Honey Cake

Serves 8


1 pound/450 g ripe peaches (about 2 large), pitted and each cut into 8 wedges

1/4 cup/55 ml fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons/35 ml fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons/40 g orange blossom honey

1 tablespoon/15 g unsalted butter

For the cake:

Nonstick cooking spray

¾ cup/100 g all purpose flour

1 teaspoon/5 g baking powder

Pinch of salt

1½ sticks (¾ cup/170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature

¾ cup/150 g granulated sugar

2 tablespoons/5 g grated lemon peel

1 tablespoon/2 g grated lime peel

4 large eggs

Powdered sugar, for dusting

Heavy whipping cream, for drizzling

Method:

To prepare the peaches:



1. Stir all the ingredients in a heavy-based large saucepan over high heat for 5 minutes or until the peaches soften slightly and the juices thicken. Transfer the peach mixture to a baking sheet and cool completely.

To make the cake:



1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Spray a 9-inch/23-cm-diameter springform cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.



2. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, lemon peel and lime peel in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition before adding the next.



3. Add the flour mixture and mix just until blended. Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan. Arrange the peaches in a single layer atop the cake. The peaches will sink as the cake bakes, so it is not important that they be arranged decoratively atop the cake.



4. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300°F/150°C and continue baking for a further 1 hour or until a small metal skewer comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake and the cake is golden brown on top and beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan. Transfer the cake pan to a rack and cool for 30 minutes.

To serve:



1. Run a small sharp knife around the sides of the pan to loosen the cake from the pan. Remove the pan sides from the cake. Transfer the warm cake to a platter and dust with powdered sugar. Cut the cake into wedges and serve warm, drizzling the cream over each slice.