Peach Crunch Cake

Saturday 26 January 2019


This is a recipe I was working on posting when I got the news earlier this week that my mother had passed away.  I couldn't quite bring myself to finish the post, so it has sat here all week in limbo waiting.  Today is the day of my mother's funeral.  I cannot be there which really breaks my heart.  I still can't quite bring myself to believe that she is gone  . . .


I've been trying to stay super busy all week so that I don't have to think about it all.  As soon as I stop and slow down, the tears come and my heart feels as if it is going to break in two. They tell me that with time this lessens, and the sadness is replaced with happy memories.  I hope that is true.


This was a dessert I prepared earlier this week when our friends Tina and Tony came to us for lunch.  Its a bit of a cheat really, as it uses only 5 ingredients, and those are all store cupboard ingredients . . .  things you are likely to always have in the house.


Tinned sliced peaches, a vanilla cake mix, butter, soft light brown sugar and chopped walnuts . . .  that's it!


You layer the ingredients in a baking dish, beginning with the undrained peaches . . . I used peaches in juice, but you could also use peaches in syrup.  It depends on how much sugar you want to ingest. 



After that you sprinkle the cake mix over top.  The original recipe used a yellow cake mix, but we don't get those over here.  We do get vanilla cake mix and that is what I used.  I am sure any cake mix would work.  Spice, lemon, anything but chocolate.


Over the cake mix you layer on slices of butter.  Just dab them here and there, trying to cover as much of the cake mix as you can.  I cut the butter very thinly.


You sprinkle the brown sugar over top of the butter slices  . . .  I push it through a sieve so that there are no lumps, but you don't have to do that if you don't want to.  I'm just pedantic like that.


I just try to sprinkle it over as evenly as I can  . . .


Finally, chopped walnuts are scattered over top  . . .  and then it is popped into the oven.


Where somehow, magically  . . .  some of the cake mix sinks into the peach juices thickening them into a sauce . . .


and the cake mix that doesn't sink works together with the butter, brown sugar and nuts to make a nutty crunchy topping.  It just works.  I don't know how, but it does. Its delicious.

Yield: 8

Peach Crunch Cake

prep time: 10 minscook time: 45 minstotal time: 55 mins
A bit of a cheat, but delicious nonetheless. Very simple to make and uses store cupboard ingredients.

ingredients:

  • 2 (215g) tins of sliced peaches in juice, undrained (24.5 ounces)
  • 1 (425g) vanilla cake mix (family size vanilla or yellow cake mix)
  • 125g butter, cut into 16 pieces (1/2 cup)
  • 200g soft light brown sugar (1 cup, packed)
  • 45g chopped walnuts
To serve (optional):
  • custard, pouring cream or vanilla ice cream

instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4.  Layer all the ingredients in a 13 by 9 inch baking dish (or 8 individual single serving dishes), beginning with the peaches. Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over top of the peaches.  Lay the butter slices over top of the cake.  Sprinkle on the brown sugar, evenly, then sprinkle with the chopped walnuts.  Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until golden brown and bubbling.  Serve hot or cold with custard, pouring cream, or vanilla ice cream.
Created using The Recipes Generator



I like to serve this warm with either vanilla ice cream on top or with pouring cream or custard.  Todd likes the custard. Tony wanted both cream and custard.  Tina took the cream.  Me  . . .  ice cream all the way.  I am such a North American.   Bon Appetit!



18 comments

  1. Having just found you, I'm so sorry that the first post I read is such a sad one for you. My own mother is very unwell so I feel for you.

    However, the peach crunch sounds delicious, and so easy to do.

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    1. Thank you Sooze. Our mother had been suffering from Vascular Dimentia for several years and was in a lot of pain. On the 15th they amputated on of her legs to try to prolong her life as the infection was so severe. She was doing really well, this really was quite unexpected, as we felt that we would have her with us for a while longer. Now we must make peace with what has happened. I don't think anyone quite is prepared to lose their mother, no matter how much you try. Thanks for your kind words and enjoy the dessert!xo

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  2. So very sorry for your loss-the heart ache will lessen but she will always be in your thoughts.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Jay. I am counting on it. xo

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  3. So sorry for your loss, must be all the harder as you are unable to go back for the funeral. Thinking of you Marie.

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    1. Thanks Eleanor. My family has done their best to include me so I am very blessed. I was able to be at the funeral via a video link. It was a great blessing for me. xo

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  4. So so sorry for your loss Marie. My Mum is 92 and is in England so I am always worrying about her. I'm so far away here in Wisconsin but I try to visit once a year. I will keep you in my prayers. Jo.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Jo. What a blessing that you are able to get back to see her as much as you do. xo

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  5. Marie, I am very sorry for your loss. She must've been an amazing lady because she truly has an amazing daughter. Your beloved mom will always be with you in the little ways that you do things, perhaps the way you hold a cup of tea, or tilt your head, or the the way you love beautiful flowers or you need to have something just so. These will all be things that she has given you. Those who live in our heart live forever, and love never dies. Blessings. Katy

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Katy. I love your thoughts on this, and they are so right. Bless. xo

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  6. Marie, I'm sorry to just be coming to this post now. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear of your mother's passing. I know it had to be difficult, being so far away. I send big hugs across the sea to help heal your aching heart.

    The recipe itself looks delicious. I bet she would have loved it. I'm pretty darned sure I will.

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    1. Thanks very much Jeanie. I don't think you can ever really be prepared for such a loss. I think we were all taken very much by surprise. We thought this latest operation had bought us some extra time with her. I think you will like this recipe for sure! xo

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  7. Oh Marie, my heart breaks for you.

    There’s a special place in all of our hearts for our mothers, just like there’s a special place in every mother’s heart for her children. I know that you will continue to carry her memory in that special place in your heart. She sounds like such an inspirational, warm and caring person. Just like her wonderful daughter. I am sorry for the loss of such a valuable person in your life. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. ♥ ((HUGS)) ♥

    I have made this over the weekend and it's truly delicious. I added a sprinkling of cinnamon just because, and our guests had seconds. Another winner - something that would make your mom proud.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Marie. Thank you also for the very beautiful card you sent. It is on my mantle. My brother read to me all the cards they have gotten at my sister's/mom's now and they are truly lovely. It is nice to be remembered. I am really pleased your guests enjoyed the dessert! Love. xoxo

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  8. Marie, I’m very sorry to read you lost your Mother. No matter the age or circumstances of her death it’s always hard to loose your Mom. She will remain with you always Marie. Sending you sympathy and hugs.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Elaine, I am still struggling with it. I don't know if I will ever come completely to terms with her loss. I just miss her very much. Thank you. xoxo

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