Happy July! I’m back in action after taking a little me-time break while I was traveling here and there, and up to my ears with work. I must say, it does feel good to be back to baking.

I want to start by saying that it is absolutely wonderful having so many friends who live in other parts of the country, and other countries altogether. Having friends in so many places is heartwarming. The downside, however, is that when I bake cakes, Kenneth and I end up eating a whole lot of cake ourselves.

…Okay, is that a downside? Let’s pretend it is for our health’s sake.

I’m absolutely living for peach season but honestly, I don’t always love the texture. These peaches found their way into this moist, dense cake without being chunky or negatively affecting the texture. The peach cake body uses a peach purée that blends smoothly into the cake batter.

This spicy peach cake is covered in a thick layer of strawberry cream cheese icing. There is nothing I love more than a good cream cheese icing, and it creates a perfect balance of tart and sweetness in the cake overall.

It’s a perfect treat for a summer get together, or for eating entirely yourself over the course of a week because there are no judgements here.

Notes

– Kenneth took these gorgeous photos of this spicy peach cake. Thanks, Kenneth! 🙂

– I garnished the cake with some peaches tossed in brown sugar and cinnamon, warmed on the stove on low for about five minutes.

– Keep refrigerated if you’re not serving immediately.

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Spicy Peach Cake

by Megan Breukelman of Taste & Taste July-15-2018

A spicy peach cake for your next summer get-together.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup puréed peaches
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.2. Grease three 9″ round cake pans and lightly dust with flour.3. Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.4. In a separate bowl, beat together butter and sugars. Add one egg at a time and vanilla extract.5. Once combined, add dry ingredients to your egg mixture in small parts, alternating adding the dry ingredients and the peach purée.6. Mix well until a smooth, thick liquid batter.7. Divide batter between the three pans and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.8. Cool on a wire rack. Do not ice until fully cooled.9. Cut the caramelization off of the sides and bottoms of your cakes before icing.

Details

Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 20-25 mins Total time: 50-55 minutes Yield: 3 cake pans

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Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Icing

by Megan Breukelman of Taste & Taste July-15-2018

A strawberry cream cheese icing to coat your spicy peach cake.

Ingredients

• 4 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup strawberry purée (1/2 cup if you want a very strong strawberry flavor)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
Instructions
1. Purée 3 large strawberries with lemon juice to make about 1/2 cup of purée.2. Beat together cream cheese, ground ginger, confectioner’s sugar and butter.3. Once combined, add strawberry purée until smooth and thick icing.Optional: Add a drop of red or yellow food coloring when working with the icing for more “peachy” coloring.Tip: Coat your cake in a thin layer of icing and let chill for 30-60 minutes before coating with thick icing for an easier time spreading and less crumbs in your icing.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: N/A Total time: 10 minutes