Rustic Peachy Bliss: Ina Garten’s Fresh Peach Cake Recipe

Summer’s golden bounty reaches its peak with this delightful Ina Garten fresh peach cake that bursts with sweet, juicy flavors.

Ripe peaches dance through a tender, buttery batter, creating a dessert that whispers of lazy afternoon gatherings.

Each slice promises a delectable journey into seasonal comfort and pure culinary joy.

The cake light crumb and intense peach essence make it an irresistible treat for anyone who loves simple, elegant desserts.

Fragrant and moist, this recipe captures the very heart of summer’s most beloved fruit.

You’ll find yourself returning to this delightful cake again and again, savoring every luscious bite.

Let the first forkful transport you to sun-drenched orchards and moments of pure deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Ina Garten’s Fresh Peach Cake

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth texture and enhances cake's tenderness, selecting high-quality European-style butter for deeper flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, airy cake structure, choosing pure cane sugar for best results.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, selecting fresh, room-temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess, picking full-fat version for best cake consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor complexity, using pure vanilla for authentic taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cake's foundation, selecting unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Provide essential rising action, ensuring fresh, unexpired leavening agents.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, using fine sea salt.

• Fresh Peaches: Brings summer sweetness and juiciness, choosing ripe, fragrant peaches at peak season.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic notes, selecting high-quality ground cinnamon.
• Pecans: Provides delightful crunch and nutty depth, picking fresh, crisp pecans.

Gear You’ll Need for Fresh Peach Cake by Ina

• Electric mixer with paddle attachment: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing batter smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining wet ingredients and creaming butter.
• Separate mixing bowl: Used for sifting and mixing dry ingredients.
• Small bowl: Perfect for preparing cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• 9-inch square baking pan: Crucial for baking the cake.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Helps mix dry ingredients evenly.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing center.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly in the pan.
• Sharp knife: Useful for slicing peaches.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Peach Cake from Scratch

Peach Paradise Delight

• Oven Preparation Cozy Kitchen Setup

Warm up your kitchen sanctuary by setting the oven to a toasty temperature. Lovingly coat a square baking pan with a gentle butter embrace.

• Butter Sugar Love Dance

Whip together butter and sugar in a rhythmic mixer motion, creating a fluffy cloud of sweetness that transforms before your eyes.

• Liquid Gold Harmony

Gently introduce eggs, sour cream, and vanilla into the mixture, blending them into a silky smooth symphony of flavors.

• Dry Ingredient Whispers

Softly combine flour, rising agents, and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl, creating a delicate powder constellation.

• Cake Landscape Creation

Layer the batter with a artistic touch, nestling juicy peach slices throughout. Sprinkle a magical cinnamon-sugar dust between each layer for hidden bursts of sweetness.

• Nutty Crown

Scatter pecans across the top, adding a delightful crunch that will surprise and delight your taste buds.

• Baking Magic

Slide the pan into the warm oven, letting the cake transform for about 50 minutes. Listen for the subtle signals of doneness – a golden top and enticing aroma will guide you.

• Sweet Finale

Rescue your masterpiece from the oven, allowing it to cool just enough to capture the perfect moment of warm, comforting deliciousness.

Tips to Make Fresh Peach Cake Even Better

• Replace peaches with nectarines, plums, or apricots for a delightful seasonal twist that keeps the cake exciting and fresh.
• Experiment with different nuts like almonds, walnuts, or macadamia instead of pecans to add unique texture and flavor profiles to your cake.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the cake's delicious taste and tender crumb.
• Brush the warm cake with a light honey or rum glaze after baking to increase moisture and add an extra layer of sophisticated flavor complexity.

Serve Up Ina Garten Fresh Peach Cake with Flair

• Pair with Creamy Delight: Top each slice with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a heavenly contrast of warm cake and cold, smooth sweetness.
• Brunch Centerpiece: Serve alongside a light mimosa or fresh-squeezed orange juice during a weekend morning gathering with friends and family.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Slice and plate with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of fresh mint leaves for an elegant dessert that complements afternoon tea perfectly.
• Breakfast Indulgence: Enjoy a slice with a strong cup of coffee or cappuccino, transforming this cake into a delightful morning treat that feels like a special occasion.

Save Peach Cake Slices Like Ina Would

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the top with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain its delightful texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum freshness when you're ready to enjoy a sweet treat.
• Room Temperature Magic: Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days if you plan to consume it quickly. Place it on a cake stand with a loose cover to protect from dust while maintaining its perfect moisture.
• Revive and Enjoy: Gently warm refrigerated or frozen cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. This technique helps restore the cake's original soft and tender crumb.

Rustic Fresh Peach Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s fresh peach cake delivers summer sweetness with ripe, juicy peaches nestled in a tender, buttery crumb. Home bakers will savor each delectable slice of this classic dessert that celebrates seasonal produce.

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Ingredients

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• 3 peaches (large, ripe, peeled, pitted, and sliced)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs (extra-large, at room temperature)
• 1 cup sour cream (at room temperature)
• ¼ lb (1 stick) unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups sugar (divided)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup pecans (chopped)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 180°C / 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9-inch square baking pan to ensure effortless cake release.
2. Cream Butter Mixture: Whip butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the blend becomes light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the cake.
3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Gently fold eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, maintaining a silky, uniform consistency without overmixing.
4. Combine Dry Components: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together, creating a fine, well-integrated dry ingredient blend that ensures even cake texture.
5. Assemble Cake Base: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, minimizing stirring to preserve the batter’s delicate structure and prevent toughness.
6. Craft Cinnamon-Sugar Topping: Mix remaining sugar with ground cinnamon to create a fragrant, sweet layer that will enhance the cake’s overall flavor profile.
7. Layer and Sprinkle: Spread half the batter in the pan, arrange peach slices, and generously dust with two-thirds of the cinnamon-sugar mixture, creating a dynamic flavor landscape.
8. Final Assembly: Complete the cake by adding remaining batter, topping with additional peach slices, and sprinkling the final cinnamon-sugar and chopped pecans for a textural contrast.
9. Bake and Test: Place in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when the cake is perfectly baked.
10. Rest and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for 15-20 minutes, enabling flavor development and structural stability before presenting either warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently to maintain a light, tender texture and avoid tough, dense cake.
• Peach Selection Matters: Choose ripe, fragrant peaches at peak summer season for maximum flavor and sweetness.
• Precise Baking Time: Monitor cake closely during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning and ensure perfect moisture.
• Topping Distribution Technique: Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar evenly for consistent flavor and beautiful caramelized surface.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg