Peach season is my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and cool in the morning. And the peaches. Mmm. The peaches are amazing. I grabbed a bucket of fresh local peaches at the farmers market and was inspired to make a fresh peach cake (or cupcakes). It didn't disappoint.
Fresh Peach Cake
2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
2 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t kosher salt
2/3 C butter (use REAL butter!)
1 3/4 C sugar
2 t vanilla
1/2 t almond extract
2 eggs
1 C milk
2 C peeled, diced peaches
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter and flour two 8" round cake pans and set aside.
1. peel and finely dice 2 cups of fresh peaches (2-3 large peaches) and set aside.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. If you don't have a sifter, you can mix them several times with a wire whisk.
3. In the bowl of your electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Until it is well combined.
4. With mixer on low speed, add vanilla and almond extracts.
5. With mixer on medium speed, add your eggs, one at a time, until well incorporate, scraping the sides of the bowl after each egg.
6. - 7. Add your sifted dry ingredients and your milk in small batches, alternating dry and milk, beginning and ending with dry. Mixing after each addition until combined.
8. Add diced peaches and mix on medium speed until well combined.
Divide batter evenly into cake pans and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If making cupcakes, fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake at 350 for 10 minutes for mini cupcakes, 15-18 minutes for full-sized cupcakes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Frost with Fresh Peach Buttercream and Top with Sliced Peaches. Enjoy!
Fresh Peach Buttercream
4 C powdered sugar
1 C (2 sticks) butter, lightly softened(again, use REAL butter)
1/2 t Vanilla
3 T pureed fresh peaches
In the bowl of your electric mixer, on medium speed, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until well combined. Scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. When it is combined, turn mixer to high and beat for 1 minute. With mixer on low speed, add vanilla extract and fresh peach puree and then turn to high and beat for about 30 more seconds.
