My absolute favorite time of year is spring. The weather is perfect here in NC, and every week there's a new flower ready to bloom. I just love to see colorful blossoms!
A few years ago, my husband wanted to plant a new tree in the yard to replace one that had died. My only request was that he come home with something that flowers in the spring. I wasn't too picky because I love all the flowering trees--redbuds, cherry trees, crab apples, dogwoods, even Bradford pear trees. My husband, being practical as ever, came home with a peach tree the size of a twig that looked half dead. I'm pretty sure he found it on the clearance rack.
The first year, we got no flowers and no peaches. The second year, we got a few pathetic blossoms, and a handful of inedible peaches as small and hard as golf balls. The next year wasn't much better. I was unimpressed to say the least.
But this spring, the whole tree was covered with tiny but beautiful blossoms, and soon after, peaches! We waited impatiently while they grew from hard, green knobs to large, peachy globes. Much to my delight, the first one I picked was soft, juicy, and totally delicious! Right away, I started browsing peach recipes. This one looked the best, so I couldn't resist making it first. It turned out just as amazing as it looks, and it is great for breakfast, dessert, or anytime snacking!
Crunchy Peach Coffee Cake
Prep time: 20 min Bake time: 45 min
Serves 20
BATTER:
4 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)
1 1/3 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
4 cups peaches, peeled and diced (about 6 peaches)
STREUSEL TOPPING:
1 1/3 cups baking mix
1 1/3 cups brown sugar, packed
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, chilled, diced
GLAZE:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbs milk or cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13” glass baking dish. (This barely fit in my pan after baking, so use as tall of a dish as possible!)
In a large bowl, mix batter ingredients: baking mix, milk, sugar and eggs. Stir just until smooth.
In another large bowl, mix streusel ingredients: baking mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or fork.
Spread half of the batter into the prepared baking dish. Top with half the peaches. Sprinkle half the streusel topping over the peaches. Repeat layers. Sprinkle pecans or walnuts over top.
Bake at 350° for 40-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake completely.
In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients: powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake.
