- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be a little lumpy.
- Fold in the sliced peaches, then pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with brown sugar for that golden crust Mama Lu loved.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. While it bakes, start on your soup.
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
- Add diced onion and jalapeños to the pot. Sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add diced potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- Using an immersion blender, partially blend the soup to your preferred consistency, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Stir in cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and heavy cream until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return bacon to the pot and stir gently to combine. Keep the soup warm while the cake finishes baking.
- Once the cake is out of the oven, let it cool slightly before serving alongside a steaming bowl of spicy jalapeño popper soup.
I recall Mama Lu’s patience as she’d always tell me, “Good things take their time, but you don’t have to be in a rush to enjoy them.” This duo is just that — a little slow, a little steady, and worth every minute.