Description
This elegant peach cake combines a tender crumb flavored with real fruit puree and peach nectar with a silky, sunset-hued buttercream. Brightened by a hint of orange peel, this sophisticated dessert is a refreshing and memorable centerpiece for any birthday celebration.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup peach puree
- 1/2 cup peach nectar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Pink and orange gel food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the oven. Heat the oven to 350°F and grease three round cake pans, dusting them lightly with flour for easy release.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Create peach base. Blend peach slices into a smooth velvet puree and combine one cup of this with the peach nectar, vanilla, and orange peel in a small bowl.
- Cream butter mixture. Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy, then gradually add sugar, beating for two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Incorporate remaining ingredients. Add the eggs one at a time, then alternately mix in the flour mixture and peach liquid in three batches, stirring just until the flour streaks disappear.
- Bake the layers. Pour two cups of batter into each prepared pan and bake for twenty-five to thirty minutes, then cool in pans for ten minutes before transferring to wire racks.
- Assemble the cake. Beat butter and powdered sugar with reserved puree and vanilla to make the filling, then spread two-thirds of a cup between each cooled cake layer.
- Frost and decorate. Mix remaining frosting with gel colors and use a large star tip to pipe rosettes over the top and sides of the stacked cake.
Notes
- Ensure peach puree is thick and free of excess liquid to maintain the proper batter consistency.
- Always use room temperature ingredients to achieve the best emulsion and smoothest texture.
- Use the spoon-and-level method when measuring flour to avoid a dense or dry crumb.
- Chill the frosting briefly if it becomes too soft or soupy to ensure the rosettes hold their shape.
- Gel food coloring is preferred over liquid to avoid altering the moisture balance of the buttercream.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
