Vanilla Poundcake with Peaches and Cinnamon Crumble

Oh my gosh......this is seriously Summer in a mason jar!

You absolutely need to make these for your next Summer picnic -- whether it's at a beach, park or your backyard.

Super important note:

YES, there are 3 components to prep and make, but each component is easy! If you're feeling overwhelmed, make the crumble 3 days before your picnic. Then make the peaches 2 days before your picnic. And then make the pound cake the day before your picnic.

Breaking down each component will save you a ton of time!

Then all you need to do the day of your picnic is assemble! EASY, PEASY AND YES YOU CAN DO IT!

And, nope, you don't need mason jars to serve these. Another fun way to serve them would be have a Poundcake Bar! Set out slices of pound cake, the peaches, crumble, ice cream and whipped cream and let your guests make their own! This is especially awesome if you have kids, because, they can make what they're actually going to eat!

If you can't find peaches, nectarines would also be delicious! Honestly, any fruit works.......so use what you have and what you love to eat!

For the BEST vanilla products: LOVE FROM NEW ZEALAND

For more Summer Picnic Fun, check out the latest episode of FOODIES ACROSS THE POND.

Ingredients

Pound Cake:
Butter, for greasing the tube pan
¼ cup demerara sugar
3 cups cake flour, sifted
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature (use Kerry Gold or European butter)
2 ½ cups granulated sugar
6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 cup heavy cream
Sautéed Peaches
4 peaches, sliced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
pinch of kosher salt
Oat Crumble
1 cup whole oats
1 cup pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of kosher salt
Optional additional toppings: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream

Instructions

For the pound cake:

I know this will seem totally counter intuitive, but DO NOT preheat the oven. Place a rack in the oven so the cake will sit in the center. Generously butter a 12-cup tube pan. Be sure it doesn't have a removable bottom. You can also use a bundt cake pan or two loaf pans (8½ x 4½ x 2½ inches). Whatever you use, it's super important to GENEROUSLY butter. Then sprinkle the pan with the demerara sugar, tilting the pan or pans to make an even coating of the sugar over the bottom and sides. Set aside the pan or pans.
To sift your cake flour (this will make your cake super light and fluffy!), put a sifter over a large bowl. Add the flour to the sifter and sift into the bowl.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 5 minutes. Keep beating until the mixture is light, yellow and fluffy. With the mixer on medium-low, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract and lemon zest. Put the mixer on low and add the flour mixture in thirds alternately with the cream. Begin and end with flour and scrape down the sides of the bowl to combine. If the mixture looks a little curdled, no worries! Increase the speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes. After you finish beating the batter should be very light and fluffy.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, use a spatula to smooth the top, and place in the cold oven. Turn the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 50 to 55 minutes. The pound cake is done when you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 30 minutes on a rack, and then carefully flip the cake out of pan onto the baking rack. Continue to cool.

For the peaches:

In a saucepan, add all the ingredients: peaches, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, butter and salt. Over medium heat sauté the mixture until the peaches start releasing their juices and start breaking down. Don't let the peaches turn into jam......when there are still large pieces of peaches, turn off the heat. Set aside to cool.

For the crumble:

In a food processor, combine oats, nuts (pecans or walnuts), brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and salt. Whiz and pulse several times until it resembles a crumb topping. Spread on a parchment lined sheet pan and bake at 375 degrees F for about 8 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool.

To assemble:

Divide pound cake between bowls or mason jars. Top with peaches and crumble. Optional additional toppings: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream. If you serve with vanilla ice cream I highly recommend warming up the peaches first!

Pound cake bar:

Cut pound cake into squares and place on a platter. Heat peaches and serve in a large bowl. Put crumble and additional toppings in individual bowls. Let your guests make their own!

Have you made this recipe?I'd love to know! Leave a comment or recipe rating and tag me @amenuforyou on social media!

Vanilla Poundcake with Peaches and Cinnamon Crumble

Super important note:

For the BEST vanilla products: LOVE FROM NEW ZEALAND

For more Summer Picnic Fun, check out the latest episode of FOODIES ACROSS THE POND.