Blue Masa Peach Bake

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This Blue Masa Peach Bake brings together the earthy flavor of blue cornmeal with the sweetness of juicy peaches. The cornbread topping bakes up golden and tender, soaking in the fruit’s juices for the perfect balance of savory and sweet. It’s a comforting dessert that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Best served warm with extra peaches or a scoop of ice cream.

Ingredients

Peach Cobbler Filling

• 4 ripe peaches (sliced)

• 4 Tbsp butter

• 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar

• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar

• 2 Tbsp cornstarch

• Cinnamon, to taste

For the Cornbread

• ¾ cup blue masa cornmeal

• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk

• 1 cup neutral oil or 10 Tbsp melted butter

• ¾ cup sugar

• ½ lemon, juiced and zested

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)

• 2 Tbsp butter (for pan)

• 4–5 cups cooked peaches (fresh or canned, lightly sweetened)

Instructions

Prepare the Peach Filling

1. Cook the peaches: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add the chopped peaches, both sugars, cinnamon, salt, cornstarch, lemon juice, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.

2. Simmer: Stir to combine, cover, and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, until the peaches release their juices and thicken slightly.

Prepare the cornbread

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook the cornmeal: In a saucepan, heat the buttermilk over medium heat until warm. Slowly whisk in cornmeal, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.

3. Make lemon sugar: Combine lemon zest with sugar and mix well.

4. Mix wet ingredients: In a bowl, whisk the lemon-sugar mixture with oil or melted butter. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well. Stir in vanilla.

5. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

6. Add dry and cornmeal: Gently fold the flour mixture and cooled cornmeal into the wet ingredients, ¼ cup at a time, until smooth.

7. Prepare the pan: Coat a baking dish with 2 Tbsp butter. Spread cooked peaches evenly across the bottom.

8. Top with batter: Spoon batter over peaches and smooth with a spatula.

9. Bake: Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and set.

10. Cool & serve: Let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm with extra peaches or a scoop of ice cream.

Serving Suggestion

Serve warm with ice cream. For a unique twist, try pairing it with corn ice cream to complement the blue masa cornbread and peaches.

Nutrition Facts (per serving; 1 square)

• Calories: 356 kcal

• Protein: 4 g

• Carbohydrates: 36 g

• Total Fat: 22 g

  • Saturated Fat: 3 g

• Cholesterol: 29 mg

• Dietary Fiber: 2.6 g

• Sodium: 184 mg

• Potassium: 273 mg

• Vitamin A: 267 IU

• Vitamin C: 8.5 mg

• Calcium: 88 mg

• Iron: 0.9 mg