Buttermilk Peach-Almond Cake

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup finely ground blanched almonds or almond flour
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 small peaches, peeled, pitted, quartered and each quarter cut into 4 slices (32 slices total, about 2 cups)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Preparation

1. 1. Place rack in middle of oven and preheat to 375°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with foil, allowing a 3-inch overhang on 2 sides. Butter foil and pan.
2. 2. In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. 3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter with 1 cup sugar until light, about 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl with a spatula and mix in ground almonds and almond extract. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. 4. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
5. 5. Spread batter evenly in pan; arrange peaches on top in 4 rows. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar and sliced almonds on top. Bake until cake is golden on top and a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Use foil handle to remove cake; serve at room temperature.