Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cake's soft, fluffy consistency.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, deep aromatic notes to complement peach and almond.
Almond Extract: Introduces nutty, sophisticated undertone that elevates dessert's complexity.
Grand Marnier: Infuses delicate citrus essence to brighten peach flavor profile.
For Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental structure builder for cake's tender crumb.
Baking Powder: Ensures proper cake rising and light, airy texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor depth.
For Topping and Garnish:
Fresh Peaches: Provide juicy, summer-like freshness and beautiful visual presentation.
Turbinado Sugar: Creates delightful caramelized crunch on cake surface.
Sliced Almonds: Add textural contrast and nutty, elegant finish.
Confectioners' Sugar: Provides elegant, light dusting for sophisticated presentation.
Gear You’ll Use for Ina Garten Peach Almond Torte
Electric mixer with paddle attachment: Essential for creaming butter and mixing batter smoothly.
8-inch springform pan: Perfect for easy cake removal and beautiful presentation.
Rubber spatula: Helps scrape bowl sides and spread batter evenly.
Small mixing bowl: Used for combining peaches and liqueur.
Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
Whisk: Combines flour, baking powder, and salt perfectly.
Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing center.
Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
Steps for Ina Garten Peach Almond Torte Baking
Sweet Peach Symphony
Oven Preparation Warm, inviting kitchen atmosphere starts with preheating the oven and preparing a cozy springform pan.
Peachy Marinade Fragrant peach wedges swimming in a splash of Grand Marnier, creating delightful flavor anticipation.
Butter Cloud Transformation Creamy butter and sugar dance together, becoming light and dreamy, whipping up excitement for the torte.
Flavor Infusion Gentle blend of vanilla and almond essence mingles with eggs, creating a silky smooth base that promises deliciousness.
Dry Ingredient Harmony Flour, baking powder, and salt whisper together, ready to join the magical mixture.
Batter Ballet Soft movements blend wet and dry ingredients into a smooth, velvety canvas waiting for peachy decoration.
Peachy Canvas Batter settles into the pan, creating a perfect stage for fruity performance.
Fruit Arrangement Peach wedges create beautiful concentric circles, turning the torte into an edible work of art.
Sparkle and Crunch Turbinado sugar and sliced almonds sprinkled like delicate jewelry, adding texture and glamour.
Golden Transformation Torte bakes until golden brown, filling the kitchen with irresistible aromas of summer and comfort.
Elegant Finale Gentle dusting of powdered sugar transforms the torte into a sophisticated dessert, ready to be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Flavor Add-Ins for Ina Garten Peach Almond Torte
Peach Almond Torte Tips
Choose fragrant, slightly soft peaches that yield gently when pressed for maximum flavor and sweetness.
Drain peaches completely after marinating to avoid excess liquid seeping into the cake batter.
Lightly toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch.
Swap peaches with nectarines, apricots, or plums for a delicious seasonal twist that keeps the torte exciting.
Prepare the torte a day in advance and store at room temperature, covered loosely with foil to maintain its tender texture.
Serving Tips for Ina Garten Peach Almond Torte
Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve this delightful torte alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance its rich, fruity flavors.
Elegant Brunch Centerpiece: Present the torte as a stunning dessert for weekend brunches, complementing it with a light mimosa or French press coffee to elevate the morning gathering.
Rustic Al Fresco Delight: Take this torte to outdoor picnics or garden parties, where its beautiful peach arrangement and golden crust will impress guests and blend perfectly with natural surroundings.
Perfect Afternoon Tea Treat: Slice the torte into delicate wedges and pair with Earl Grey tea, creating a sophisticated and indulgent afternoon refreshment that celebrates seasonal fruit and almond elegance.
How to Keep Ina Garten Peach Almond Torte Fresh Longer
Store Strategically: Keep the torte covered at room temperature for 2-3 days, protecting its soft texture and delicate almond flavor.
Refrigerate Wisely: When storing longer than 3 days, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness, but bring to room temperature before serving to restore optimal taste.
Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap the cooled torte tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Portion and Protect: Cut individual slices and separate with parchment paper when storing, preventing them from sticking together and maintaining the torte's delicate structure.
Ina Garten’s peach almond torte blends rustic French baking with summer’s sweetest fruits. Delicate almond cream and ripe peaches create a harmonious dessert that delights palates and celebrates seasonal bounty.
Ingredients
Scale
2 large peaches, 340g / ¾ pound, unpeeled, cut into 8–10 wedges
1 stick, 113g / ¼ pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 tbsps Grand Marnier
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp pure almond extract
¾ cup, 150g granulated sugar
1 cup, 125g all-purpose flour (plain flour)
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp kosher salt
2 tbsps turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw)
2 tbsps blanched, sliced almonds
confectioners’ sugar (icing sugar), for dusting
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F and thoroughly grease an 8-inch springform pan to ensure easy release.
Peach Marinade: Infuse peach wedges with Grand Marnier, allowing the fruit to absorb citrusy undertones while preparing the remaining components.
Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the torte.
Wet Ingredients: Blend vanilla and almond extracts into the creamed mixture, then incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring complete integration and smooth consistency.
Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, creating a uniform dry mixture that will provide structure to the torte.
Batter Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture on low speed, mixing until a cohesive batter forms without overworking the blend.
Pan Arrangement: Transfer batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly and arranging marinated peach wedges in attractive concentric circles.
Topping Application: Sprinkle turbinado sugar and sliced almonds across the torte, creating a rustic, textured exterior that will caramelize during baking.
Baking Process: Bake for 45-50 minutes, rotating midway through, until the surface turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, cool briefly on a wire rack, and dust with powdered sugar before serving warm or at room temperature for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
Marinate Mindfully: Soak peaches in Grand Marnier for enhanced flavor depth, but don’t overdo it – 15-20 minutes is perfect to prevent fruit from becoming too soggy.
Mix with Precision: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, which takes about 3-4 minutes, creating the torte’s signature light texture.
Flour Finesse: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps and ensure even baking, preventing unexpected dense spots in the final dessert.
Topping Technique: Arrange peach slices carefully in concentric circles, slightly overlapping, to create a visually stunning and evenly distributed fruit layer.
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Techniques in baking, pastry creation, and dessert presentation.
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Program: Diploma in Farm-to-Table Culinary Practices
Focus: Emphasis on utilizing locally sourced ingredients and understanding seasonal flavors.
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.
Sophia Rivera
Recipe Developer & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Education
Austin Community College
San Antonio Culinary Institute
Sophia’s passion for baking began in her family kitchen, where she spent hours experimenting with new recipes. With a background in baking and pastry arts, she loves making desserts that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Sophia is all about using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create treats that everyone will enjoy. When she’s not creating mouth-watering desserts, you can find her gardening, making new recipes, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon with her family.