Caramel Peach Upside Down Cake

This is a recipe that I found from the food network and doctored up a bit per the user's reviews. I think it turned out well -- not overly sweet, and with a nice, rustic texture thanks to the addition of the grits in place of some of the flour. I thought it was especially delicious served warm and topped with a little bit of ice cream or cool whip.

Caramel peaches:

2/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1 tsp allspice, optional

1 tablespoon water

3 large ripe peaches (about 1 pound)

Cake:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup *instant* grits

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.

Butter a 9-inch cake pan, line bottom with parchment paper and brush the paper with butter (or spraying with Pam works too)

Caramel peaches: Combine the sugar, corn syrup, allspice and water in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high, and continue to cook, without stirring, until the mixture becomes an amber caramel, about 5 minutes. Pour the caramel into the prepared pan and set aside to cool.

Halve and pit the peaches, but leave their skins on. Cut each half into 3 wedges.

Arrange the wedges in concentric circles in the pan.

Set aside while you make the cake batter.

Cake:
Whisk the flour, grits, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
Slowly mix the butter, vanilla and sugar in a large bowl with a hand-held electric mixer.

Increase the speed to high, and continue beating until the butter is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at time.
While mixing at a low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the sour cream in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Increase the speed to medium and mix briefly to make a smooth batter. Pour the batter over the peaches and smooth over.
Bake the cake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack, about 20 minutes.
Run a knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate and remove the parchment paper. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.