Sweet Cornmeal Cakes with Peaches and Cream

Tender, sweet cornmeal cakes are baked in a muffin tin and topped with syrupy fresh peaches and homemade whipped cream in Peach Shortcakes, a summery dessert that is great for a crowd.

By some mystery of time and aging, it’s so hard to get kids excited about fruit desserts but adults seem to love them. I only had eyes for chocolate desserts as a kid, but summer-loving grown-up Jess is all about the fresh fruit. Every summer I buy so many blueberries and blackberries for cobbler, tons of strawberries for shortcakes, and this year boatloads of peaches for this new favorite. I’d love to tell you that one of these desserts successfully converted my kids to the fruit-dessert camp, but it wouldn’t be true. But I’m definitely a fan.

We added a small amount of bourbon to the whipped cream in this dessert – bourbon goes so well with peaches. However, feel free to skip it if the kids in your life want to eat this one!

What Makes This Recipe Special 

This recipe is a peach-centric twist on strawberry shortcake. Instead of strawberries, it uses peaches. Instead of classic biscuit-style shortcakes, it uses lightly sweetened corn muffins. Corn, peaches, and bourbon – their flavors work incredibly well together. But what really makes this dish extra special is the homemade whipped cream. Don’t skip it!

How to Pick Ripe Peaches

Be sure you get nice ripe peaches for this recipe. When combined with sugar, they will release flavor, creating a sweet peach syrup that soaks into the cornmeal cakes. 

Look for peaches that are very fragrant and have a small amount of give when you squeeze them.

Tips for Making Peach Shortcakes

I like a combination of sliced peaches and finely chopped peaches for these cakes. The finely chopped peaches create more syrup, but I love a few bites of whole peach slices. Any shape will work just fine. I strongly recommend peeling the peaches first. They’ll release more juice that way.

More Fruit Desserts

• Raspberry Almond Snack Cake
• Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Sugar Chips
• Mango Pudding
• Homemade Strawberry Syrup
• No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie

Favorite Tools

• Nonstick Muffin Tin
• 6-inch Global Knife
• Cutting Board
• Anchor 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Stand or Handheld Mixer

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Sweet Cornmeal Cakes with Peaches and Cream

Tender, sweet cornmeal cakes are baked in a muffin tin and topped with syrupy fresh peaches and homemade whipped cream in this summery dessert that is great for a crowd.

The subtle flavor of bourbon in the whipped cream goes very well with sweet peaches, but feel free to skip it if you prefer (or if serving this dessert to kids).

To adjust the servings in this recipe, click on the number next to servings.

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time16 mins

Total Time46 mins

Course: Dessert

Keyword: easy dessert recipe, fruit dessert, peach, summer, summer dessert

Servings: 12

Calories: 339kcal

Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

Cost: $7.00

Equipment

• Muffin Tin
• Mixing Bowls
• Knife
• Cutting Board
• Stand or Handheld Mixer

Ingredients

Cornmeal Cakes:

• 3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour (95g)
• 1 1/4 cups Yellow Cornmeal, finely ground (210g)
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 8 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup Sugar (100g)
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 cup Light Buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp Demerara Sugar, for topping (optional)

Peach Topping:

• 6 large Peaches (see note)
• 1/4 cup Sugar

Bourbon Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup Heavy / Whipping Cream, very cold
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 2 tsp Bourbon (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F / 177°C.
• Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Prepare peaches: While the oven is heating, peel and chop peaches. Combine with 1/4 cup sugar and stir well. Set aside.
• Make shortcakes: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• Melt butter until hot (in the microwave or on the stove). Whisk white sugar into melted butter. Add eggs until fully incorporated and frothy. Whisk in buttermilk until smooth.
• Pour liquids over dry ingredients and gently fold together. Do not overmix (it’s okay if some small lumps remain).
• Spoon cornmeal batter into prepared muffin tin. Sprinkle with Demerara sugar (if using). Bake until a tester comes out clean, 14 to 16 minutes.
• Make whipped cream: Combine cream, 1 Tbsp sugar, and bourbon. Use a standing mixer or hand mixer to beat on high until the cream is thick and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Slice each shortcake in half and spoon mashed peaches and syrup over the bottom half, pressing down a bit with a spoon to help the syrup to soak in. Top with a few of the larger peach slices and whipped cream. Place top half of the shortcake on top and serve.

Notes

Peaches - I like a combination of sliced peaches and finely chopped peaches. The finely chopped peaches create more syrup, but I love a few bites of whole peach slices. Use whichever shape you’d like.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 257mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

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