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+ servings

Blackberry Skillet Peach Cornbread with Brown Butter Icing

A moist skillet peach cornbread with blackberries and nutty brown butter icing. A summery California twist on a classic.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 490

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 188g, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal 60g
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 8 tablespoons; 113g, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar 200g
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk 160ml, room temperature
  • 1 medium ripe peach peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries 115g; do not thaw if frozen
  • optional coarse sugar for topping
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter 4 tablespoons; 56g, for the icing
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 180g
  • 3 tablespoons milk 45ml
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly butter a 10 to 12 inch oven-safe skillet. A 10 inch springform pan also works, but a 9 inch pan will be too small.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
  3. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar on high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the eggs and vanilla, then beat on medium-high until fully combined. Reduce the mixer to low, add the dry ingredients until just combined, and then slowly pour in the buttermilk. Stop the mixer as soon as the batter is smooth; do not overmix. Fold in the chopped peach and blackberries by hand. Spread the thick batter into the prepared skillet and sprinkle with coarse sugar and a few extra blackberries, if desired.
  4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. A thinner cake in a 12 inch skillet will often be done closer to 30 minutes.
  5. Set the skillet on a wire rack and let the cake cool slightly before icing and serving.
  6. Cut the icing butter into small pieces and melt it in a light colored skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the butter foams and then develops brown specks at the bottom with a nutty aroma, about 5 to 6 minutes, remove it from the heat immediately and cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth. If needed, add a little more sugar to thicken the icing or more milk to thin it out.
  7. Drizzle the brown butter icing over the warm cornbread, then slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Cover any leftover cake tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 6gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 410mgFiber: 2gSugar: 51g

Notes

Use ripe but firm peaches for the best texture and flavor; if fresh blackberries aren't in season, frozen berries work well and should be added straight from the freezer without thawing.
For a California twist, try swapping in a chopped white peach or adding a tiny pinch of Meyer lemon zest to the batter.
Make sure the butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before mixing so the batter stays smooth and bakes evenly.
The brown butter icing will set quickly as it cools, so whisk in the remaining ingredients soon after the butter finishes browning; add extra milk or powdered sugar to adjust the consistency.
Bake this in a well seasoned 10 to 12 inch cast iron skillet for the best crispy edge; a 10 inch springform pan is a good substitute, but a 9 inch pan may overflow.
Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheat slices briefly in the microwave before serving.

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