Summertime's delicious bounty of fresh and juicy nectarines comes alive in this recipe for caramelized Nectarine Upside-Down Cake.

There is something so intoxicating about fresh, summertime nectarines. Hold one up to your nose and take a big, long sniff.
There, that's what summer is all about, and that's exactly how this nectarine upside-down cake tastes. Like summertime. In cake form.
Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Can this nectarine cake be made in advance, and can it be frozen?
- How long does this summer fruit cake to make from start to finish?
- Why this recipe for Nectarine Upside Down Cake works:
- The easy instructions:
- Additional nectarine or peach (they're interchangeable) recipes:
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list:
- Nectarines (peaches also work)
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Granulated Sugar
- Greek Yogurt
- Egg
- Milk
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Grated Nutmeg
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
Can this nectarine cake be made in advance, and can it be frozen?
YES! Here's my story and I'm sticking to it...
Once I baked and cooled the nectarine upside-down cake, I packed a few slices for my eldest son to take home, and then I packaged and froze a few slices to bring to my mom for my next visit to her house.
I brought my mom her slices just the other day, and this morning she told me how much she enjoyed this cake.
When I asked her how the texture was after it had been frozen and thawed, much to my delight, she said the texture was wonderful!
In review, I'm happy to report that this cake may be made in advance and frozen if needed.
However, for the best and freshest result, I recommend eating it as soon as possible after cooling...but I doubt that will be a problem. 😉
How long does this summer fruit cake to make from start to finish?
- Approximately 2 hours from start to eat.
- 10 minutes to prepare the caramelized nectarine "topping" (which is actually the bottom of the cake when baked).
- 10 minutes to prepare the cake batter.
- 50-60 minutes to bake.
- Cool. Invert. Cool. Garnish. Enjoy!
Why this recipe for Nectarine Upside Down Cake works:
- It's easy to make.
- It only takes a few ingredients.
- It's delicious.
- It's impressive looking.
- It will make you a rock star among your family and friends.
The easy instructions:
- Add melted butter and brown sugar into the bottom of a 9" round cake pan.
- Remove the stones from nectarines and cut the fruit into slices.
- Lay the nectarine slices in a decorative star pattern over the butter and brown sugar, making sure to fit in as many of the nectarine slices as possible.
- Sprinkle additional brown sugar and freshly grated nutmeg over the nectarine slices.
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
- In a second bowl cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add an egg, Greek yogurt, milk and vanilla to the creamed butter mixture.
- Slowly incorporate the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture until fully blended.
- Use a spatula to gently spoon the cake batter evenly over the nectarines in the prepared pan.
- Place the cake pan onto a baking sheet and bake the cake in a preheated 350-degree oven for approximately 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean after being inserted into the center of the cake.
- Cool the cake on a baking rack for 10 minutes
- After 10 minutes place a serving plate on top of the cake in the pan.
- Use baking mitts or pot holders to carefully invert (flip) the cake in the pan so the nectarines will now be the top of the cake.
- Once flipped, carefully remove the baking pan and allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Additional nectarine or peach (they're interchangeable) recipes:
This fresh Peach Crostata is similar to biting into a fresh ripe peach except it has a flaky piecrust shell, and it's best served warm and with a fork.
Refreshing Peach Basil Lemonade is the perfect combination of lightly sweet and lightly tart, and the basil adds an extra herbaceous fragrant note you'll enjoy!
What do you get when you take a classic dessert like bananas foster and swap out tree-ripened Georgia peaches? Peaches Foster, of course!! It's an easy yet elegant dessert that takes only about 15 minutes to make!
When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!
Printable Recipe Card
Nectarine Upside-Down Cake
Equipment
- hand mixer optional
- stand mixer optional
- nutmeg grater optional
Ingredients
- 3 nectarines stones removed and cut into slices (peaches may be used)
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 cup dark brown sugar divided
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1⅔ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup sugar granulated
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup yogurt Greek
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Whipped Cream optional as garnish
- Fresh Mint Sprigs optional as garnish
Tools and equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsuis)
- Add the melted butter into the cake pan.
- Evenly add 6 tablespoons of brown sugar to the pan.
- Add the nectarine slices in a star pattern on top of the brown sugar and butter, making sure to fit as many as possible.
- Sprinkle 2 additional tablespoons of brown sugar evenly over the nectarine slices, along with the freshly grated nutmeg. Set aside while preparing cake batter.
- In a large bowl, combine the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another large bowl (of a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add the egg, yogurt, milk, and vanilla and blend until combined.
- Slowly blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture (scraping the sides down on occasion) until a thick but creamy batter is formed.
- Use a spatula to spoon the cake batter gently and evenly over top of the nectarines in the cake pan.
- Place the cake pan onto a baking sheet and bake the cake in a preheated oven for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool the cake on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
- Place a serving plate on top of the cake (in the pan) and invert the cake pan, and plate, in one smooth motion so that the nectarine slices are now on top.
- Gently remove the cake pan from the cake and allow the cake to cool completely.
- Slice, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's luscious nectarine dessert cake as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!
Beth says
This recipe looks so delicious and tasty! Can't wait to give this a try! My son is going to love this!
Renée says
I'm sure he will, Beth. Enjoy!
Sydnie says
This recipe looks amazing! I am so excited to try it!
Renée says
I truly hope you do, Sydnie!
Thanks.
Me says
Do you use salted or unsalted butter?
Renée says
Hello, Livarnett.
I always used salted butter. I don't feel there is ever enough salt in butter to make any baked good "overly-salty."
That said, feel free to use unsalted butter if you'd prefer, but it's not necessary.
Thanks for your question!
Renee
Rebecca Hubbell says
Nectarines are one of m favorite fruits and I love finding new recipes to use them in! This is delicious!
Renée says
Awesome. Thanks, Rebecca!
Justine says
I love upside down cake! This one turned out amazing!
Renée says
Great news, Justine!
Lynn says
I think you meant an 9 inch pan!!! It's all over my oven and is a mess!
Renée says
Hi, Lynn.
The only thing I can do is admit to my error and apologize. If there was a way for me to come and clean your oven, I would.
I've since fixed the recipe. I'm sorry that happened. Please accept my sincere apology.
Renee
Carlee says
That looks wonderful! I've made nectarine sheet cakes, but I love the smaller size and upside down fun of this version. I am going to have to give it a try!
Roxana says
I love adding fruit to summer desserts and your upside-down cake looks amazing! Wish I had a slice right now!
Joanie @ ZagLeft says
I love upside-down fruity cakes but never would have thought of using nectarines. This looks heavenly!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
This sounds wonderful - pass me a plate, please!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
What a great treat with summer fresh fruit - love that you can freeze it too!
Stephanie says
Oh wow. This looks amazing!
Krista says
This turned out great! Looks yummy!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
You had me at "caramelized" and you closed the deal with "nectarines."