TWD: Nectarine Upside-Down Cake

This week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe featured a magnificent Nectarine Upside-Down Cake with a surprise oatmeal-almond streusel rippling throughout the center.  My husband could barely contain his excitement when I began baking this cake.  Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is one of his absolute favorite desserts, so he was more than happy to cater to Matthew's every whim and desire so I could work away in peace without having the toddler rummage through my cupboards.

I actually began working on this cake while simultaneously catching up on a couple episodes of Masterchef.  Such a silly show...but I do enjoy watching it.  The dramatic music was great motivation as I worked my way through this recipe.  Overall, the recipe was fun and simple to make.  As far as chiffon cakes go, this is one of the least fussy.  I toyed with the idea of substituting peaches for the nectarines, but the peaches were hard as rock when I decided to make the recipe, so I stuck with the nectarines.  

The only issue I had with this cake was that it definitely took about 15 minutes longer to bake than the recipe indicates.  Which was rather frustrating, because Paul wanted to sample a hot slice of cake and was already snoozing away in his armchair by the time the cake finally came out of the oven.  Once he passes out, he is gone for the night - mentally, emotionally, physically, and stomachly (yes, I am aware that's not a word).  However, as soon as the cake was cool enough, I shook him awake (a little violently, I'm afraid) and shoved a piece of this warm, ice cream covered dessert in his face.  He stared at it with a mild bit of confusion before realizing that this was the treat he had been looking forward to so much and then gingerly began to eat.  

As I mentioned, nothing fully wakes my husband up once he has fallen asleep in the evening.  However, his eyes immediately widened with pleasure as he ate his cake, all the while exclaiming:  "This is really good!"

It certainly is.  The chiffon cake is light and fluffy, yet sturdy enough to hold up the fruit and brown sugar sauce.  The streusel in the center is a delightful surprise that honestly was my favorite part of the whole dessert.  It is a must that this cake be served with ice cream!

If you would like to give the recipe a whirl (and you should!), head over to our host blogs for this week.  Do not let the diminishing supply of nectarines prevent you from utilizing pears or apples.  I am definitely going to try pears next time.