Gluten-Free Peach Upside Down Cake (Dairy-Free)

Summertime Means Peach Season!

During the summer, we buy loads of peaches – from the farmers’ markets, the supermarkets, or anywhere they’re being sold.

Fresh, juicy and ripe with sweetness, summer peaches are perfect for enjoying on their own, made into a peach cobbler, peach crisp.

Or…you can also make this upside down peach cake (which is the perfect cake for your summer cookout).

What is Upside Down Cake?

And upside down cake is basically a cake that is made with a mixture of fruit and sugar at the bottom of the pan or skillet (the sugar will caramelize the fruit as it cooks), over which cake batter is poured and then baked.

The idea is that the cake is baked with the fruit layer at the bottom, but when ready, the cake is served with the fruit layer on top.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this gluten-free upside down peach cake recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Easy to Make: All you need to make this cake is to mix the peaches with a cinnamon sugar mixture, and prepare the batter by mixing the wet and dry ingredients together. Spread out the fruit and batter in separate layers and then bake!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this peach upside-down cake is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this gluten-free peach upside down cake recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Brown Sugar: I used dark brown sugar, but you can also use light brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and does not raise your blood sugar level).
• Cinnamon: I like flavoring the peaches with ground cinnamon, but if you aren’t a fan of cinnamon, feel free to leave it out instead.
• Sugar: I used white sugar, but you can also use cane sugar, light brown sugar or coconut sugar if you prefer. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and does not raise your blood sugar level).
• Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter (vegan butter) to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use coconut oil if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.
• Cream Cheese: I used dairy-free cream cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular cream cheese instead.
• Eggs: Eggs help to bind the ingredients together, so make sure to include them.
• Gluten-Free Flour: For this recipe, make sure to use a good-quality gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend (also known as gluten-free 1:1 flour that is a 1:1 substitute for normal wheat flour). If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular flour instead.
• Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours, and helps to bind the ingredients together, so much sure to add it in if your gluten-free blend doesn’t already include it.
• Baking Powder: Since baking powder is the only leavening agent that helps the batter to rise, so make sure you add it in. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free baking powder.
• Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor, but if you don’t enjoy the taste of vanilla feel free to leave it out.
• Almond Milk: I like using an unsweetened version of my homemade almond milk. You may also use other non-dairy milks (such as cashew milk, rice milk, tigernut milk, soy milk, coconut milk etc). Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use normal milk instead.
• Peaches: During the summer months, I highly recommend using fresh peaches which are abundant and easily accessible. However, feel free to use canned peaches if that’s what you have. Alternatively, you can also make this gluten-free upside down cake with other stone fruit (such as nectarines, apricots and plums).

How to Make Gluten-Free Peach Upside Down Cake (Step by Step):

1. Preheat and Grease

Preheat the oven to 360F and grease a deep 9”x13” baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

(TIP: If you want to be absolutely sure that the cake doesn’t stick to the bottom of the cake pan, you may also line the pan with parchment paper instead.)

2. Prepare Peaches and Place on Baking Pan

Wash the peaches and cut into slices. Transfer half of the peach slices to the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

3. Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon to get the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

4. Drizzle Butter and Cinnamon Sugar Over Peaches

Melt 4 tablespoons of dairy-free butter. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the melted butter over the peaches (the other 2 tablespoons are for the second layer of peaches).

Sprinkle half the amount of the brown sugar and cinnamon (the other half is for the second layer of peaches).

5. Beat Butter and Sugar

Beat the remaining soft dairy-free butter with sugar until combined.

6. Add Cream Cheese

Add the dairy-free cream cheese and beat for another minute on high speed.

7. Add Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, beating each time until combined.

8. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients

Whisk the gluten-free measure-for-measure flour, xanthan gum (if using), baking powder and salt until combined. Add the flour mixture to the bowl with wet ingredients in three steps.

9. Mix Until You Get a Thick Batter

The result of mixing should be a thick batter without lumps, which will slowly fall from a spoon.

10. Cover Peaches With Half of the Batter

Transfer half of the batter on top of the first layer peaches, using a spatula to spread it out evenly.

11. Prepare Second Layer of Peaches

Put the second half of the sliced peaches on the batter, top with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

12. Top Second Layer of Peaches with Batter

Cover the peaches with the remaining dough and flatten.

13. Bake Until Golden Brown

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until the top of the upside down peach cake is golden brown, and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

14. Cool Before Removing

Let the gluten-free upside-down peach cake cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack, then carefully invert the baking dish onto a plate or cutting board, and remove the baking pan – this way the caramelized peaches are on top.

15. Slice and Serve

Cut into pieces and serve alongside a cup of tea, milk or coffee.

(TIP: You can top this gluten-free peach coffee cake with syrup, glaze or dairy-free caramel, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want a more decadent dessert).

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Use Other Stone Fruit: During the summer months, I highly recommend using fresh peaches which are abundant and easily accessible. However, feel free to use canned peaches if that’s what you have. Alternatively, you can also make this gluten-free upside down cake with other stone fruit (such as nectarines, apricots and plums).
• Use Other Fruits: If you aren’t keen on stone fruit, you can also use your favorite fruits instead (such as pears, pineapple, or apples, etc).
• Bake a Round Pan: If you want, you can also use a round 9-inch cake pan instead of a rectangle cake pan as shown in the photos. You can also arrange the peach slices in a sunburst pattern for a beautiful presentation.
• Bake in Skillet: You may also bake this peach upside-down cake in a cast iron skillet if you prefer.
• Bake in Individual Portions: If you wish to make individual portions, feel free to bake this gluten-free upside down peach cake in individual ramekins instead.

Recipe FAQs:

Other Peach Recipes You’ll Enjoy:

• Easy Peach Cobbler (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Peach Crisp (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Peach, Arugula and Tomato Salad (Gluten-Free)
• Peach Walnut Yogurt Parfait (Gluten-Free)

Other Gluten Free Cakes to Bake:

• Lemon Blueberry Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Lemon Olive Oil Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Easy Blueberry Dump Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Banana Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)