Peach Kuchen Recipe

Sweets are my favorite thing in the world and I've always loved to bake. It's so satisfying to make something with your own two hands that makes the lucky taster say, "Yuuuuummmmmm..." and roll their eyes in bliss.

I was chatting with a friend about springform pans and remembered a great recipe that I haven't made for a few years. It is so easy to make, looks beautiful and tastes fantastic. Kuchen is the German word for cake and this particular version is a very pie-like pastry. The one special piece of equipment you need is a 9" springform pan, which is a 2-piece pan where the side snaps shut and the bottom is removable. The silver you can see underneath the kuchen in the photo is the bottom of the pan. It's a great dessert to make for company ... if you decide to share!

Peach Kuchen

serves 8


2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
8 peach halves, canned (29 oz. can, drained) or fresh
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 egg yolks
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9" round springform pan.

Put flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together into mixing bowl. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter to consistency of cornmeal. Sprinkle mixture into prepared pan and press into place against sides and bottom with knuckles.

Place peaches, cut side down, over dough. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over peach halves. Bake for 15 minutes.

Combine egg yolks and cream in small bowl; pour over peaches and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes, or until browned. Cool in pan. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.

*****

And in the category of You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks, one thing I'd never made before in all my many baking years is soufflé. Not withstanding how utterly amazing it looks all steamy and puffed up right out of the oven, it even sounds intimidating. Slap on your beret and say it with me in your best snooty French accent: "Soooooooflaaaaaay!" 

Well, I took the Soufflé Workshop at Sur La Table recently ~ So Much Fun ~ and, people, I no longer fear the soufflé. 

In fact, the very next evening, I made lemon soufflé with raspberry cream for my hubby of 28+ years and he said to me, "If we weren't already married, I would propose to you right now." Now that's what I'm talking about!

Happy baking!

Gadgets & Tools I Love: Toastabags

Whether in the craft room or kitchen, I Love-Love-Love any gadget or tool that makes life easier, a.k.a., more fun!

Working at Sur La Table, I'm fortunate to learn about many great kitchen products and I've heard customers rave about these Toastabags too many times not to try them.

Here is a Ham and Swiss plated fresh out of the Toastabag, all melty and toasted ... 

Awesome!

You can adjust the setting on your toaster for level of brownness. This one was done all the way on high.

Best part is the bags are washable and reusable up to 50 times. A package of 3 runs $8.95 so $3 per bag. 

No grill pan or skillet to clean and they can even go in the dishwasher. I just hand-wash and prop 'em open on the drying mat to drain ... easy-peasy. If your kid can use a toaster, they become Chef Grilled Cheese! And have you ever toasted a PBJ? Good stuff!

Please know that I am not being compensated for this product, but I do like to share products I love and this one is definitely a keeper in our house!