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Crumble cake with peaches and vanilla. Prepare the ingredients before mixing, then use the method below to keep the texture tender and the flavors evenly distributed. The cut face shows the texture to look for when the cake has cooled.
Before you start
Weigh ingredients rather than packing flour into a cup. Keep flour, fat and liquid quantities unchanged on the first attempt: extra fruit or flour changes the texture. Prepare the listed pan; a much smaller tin can overflow and a wider one changes baking time. Keep the flavor additions separate until the instructed stage.
Preparation: 25 min. Cooking: about 50 min.
The displayed preparation and cooking times exclude rising, cooling and refrigeration. Allow the full waiting times in the instructions before serving.
Ingredients
Cake batter
- 120 g unsalted butter, softened
- 140 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 200 g all-purpose wheat flour
- 8 g baking powder
- 2 g fine salt
- 100 g plain full-fat yogurt
Crumble topping
- 80 g all-purpose wheat flour
- 40 g granulated sugar
- 50 g cold unsalted butter, cubed
Flavor ingredients
- 300 g peaches, pitted, prepared weight
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- Heat the oven to 175°C (345°F), conventional heat. Line the base of 24 cm round cake tin with baking parchment and lightly grease the sides.
- Wash the fruit and dry it thoroughly. Cut apples and pears into thin slices, stone fruit into small wedges; leave berries whole. Weigh the fruit after peeling, coring or pitting. Drain canned pineapple thoroughly. Keep zest, spices and nuts separate from the fruit.
- Beat the softened butter and sugar for 3 minutes until paler and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition and scraping the bowl. Use the amounts from the cake batter group, not the topping.
- Mix the flour, baking powder and salt separately. Stir into the butter mixture in two additions, alternating with the listed milk or yogurt. Stop as soon as the flour disappears; do not beat the finished batter.
- Fold zest, spices or vanilla into the batter. Spread half the batter in the tin, scatter half the fruit, then repeat. Sprinkle any listed almonds over the top. Keep the fruit distributed rather than in one wet mound.
- Use the separate crumble quantities. Rub the 50 g butter into 80 g flour and 40 g sugar with your fingertips until rough crumbs form. Scatter over the assembled fruit cake; do not press the crumbs into the batter.
- Bake on the middle rack for 45–58 minutes. Check the cake, not a piece of fruit, with a skewer: it should come out without wet batter. The center should feel set. If the top darkens early, cover loosely with foil and continue baking.
- Let the cake rest in its tin for 15 minutes, then carefully remove it and cool on a rack for at least 60 minutes before slicing. A warm cake tears more easily. Do not cover until completely cool.
Serving and slicing
Cut into 12 portions after the required cooling or chilling. A clean knife gives a clearer cut; wipe it between portions. Serve as it is so the listed flavors remain distinct. Extra sauces, decorations and substitutions are not included in the measured recipe.
Storage
Once cool, store covered in the refrigerator at 4°C or below and use within 3 days. Refrigerate cream, cheesecake and fruit cakes promptly; do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Do not cover hot cake, which traps condensation. Cream cakes should remain chilled until serving.
Summary
Cut into 12 portions after the required cooling or chilling. A clean knife gives a clearer cut; wipe it between portions. Serve as it is so the listed flavors remain distinct. Extra sauces, decorations and substitutions are not included in the measured recipe.
FAQs
- Which pan should I use?
24 cm round cake tin
Weigh ingredients rather than packing flour into a cup. Keep flour, fat and liquid quantities unchanged on the first attempt: extra fruit or flour changes the texture. Prepare the listed pan; a much smaller tin can overflow and a wider one changes baking time. Keep the flavor additions separate until the instructed stage.
- Does the timing include cooling?
Preparation: 25 min. Cooking: about 50 min.
The displayed preparation and cooking times exclude rising, cooling and refrigeration. Allow the full waiting times in the instructions before serving.
- How should I store the cake?
Once cool, store covered in the refrigerator at 4°C or below and use within 3 days. Refrigerate cream, cheesecake and fruit cakes promptly; do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Do not cover hot cake, which traps condensation. Cream cakes should remain chilled until serving.
