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Irresistible Peaches and Cream Spice Cake: A Summer Dessert Masterpiece

This spice cake boasts a vibrant fresh peach filling, crowned with a light and airy whipped cream cheese frosting, and elegantly garnished with even more fresh peaches.

Insomnia, while often frustrating, occasionally sparks unexpected culinary adventures. There are nights when my mind races, churning through ideas at a hundred miles an hour, particularly when planning a special event. Such was the case when I began organizing my Mother-in-law’s birthday dinner. As my thoughts wandered through potential menu items, one ingredient kept coming to mind, dominating my dessert fantasies: peaches!

These weren’t just any peaches. They were the glorious, sun-ripened peaches from my dear friend Betsy’s yard. I can genuinely say that no peach I’ve ever bought from a grocery store can compare to the exquisite flavor and juiciness of these homegrown gems. They are truly in a league of their own, and their peak season arrival perfectly coincided with Marie’s birthday celebration.

The Sweet Dilemma: Pie or Cake?

My Mother-in-law, Marie, has a deep and abiding love for peach pie. Without fail, whenever I ask her what kind of pie she’d like me to bring to a gathering, her answer is always “peach!” So, the decision to make a delicious peach pie for her birthday was an easy one. But with typically twenty or more family members gathering for these celebrations, a single pie, no matter how cherished, simply wouldn’t be enough to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. I knew I needed another show-stopping dessert, something equally celebratory and peach-centric, but with its own unique appeal. The question lingered: peach pie… and what else?

Last year, I had the pleasure of canning ginger peaches, a process I thoroughly enjoyed but, to my dismay, never got around to sharing on my blog. The memory of those warmly spiced peaches sparked an idea. “Hmm, what about a spice cake?” I wondered. The rich, inviting aroma of spices felt like the perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of fresh peaches. It was a combination that promised comfort and sophistication. But to truly elevate this cake, it needed a final, creamy touch.

Embracing a Classic: Peaches and Cream

As I contemplated what other flavors harmonize beautifully with peaches, an old family memory provided the perfect inspiration. My son, Spencer, often recounts fond stories of enjoying “peaches and cream” at his great-grandma’s house – Marie’s Mother-in-law. The simple, timeless elegance of that combination instantly resonated. Cream it was! This realization solidified my vision for the ultimate birthday cake: a delightful Peaches and Cream Spice Cake.

I envisioned a moist, aromatic spice cake, layered with a luscious, homemade peach filling, and then generously adorned with a light and fluffy whipped cream cheese frosting. To truly make it a feast for the eyes as well as the palate, I decided that a garnish of fresh peach slices would add the perfect final touch of beauty and flavor. This cake wasn’t just a dessert; it was a tribute to family, tradition, and the unparalleled joy of seasonal ingredients.

Assembling Your Masterpiece: The Peaches and Cream Spice Cake

Now, I’m thrilled to share exactly how I brought this vision to life. You’ll be delighted to discover that despite its impressive appearance and rich flavor profile, this Peaches and Cream Spice Cake is surprisingly easy to make. The recipe thoughtfully combines the convenience of a good quality spice cake mix for the base with homemade elements that truly make it shine. This balance ensures a delicious result without unnecessary complexity, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.

We’ll walk through creating each delightful component: the perfectly spiced cake layers, the sweet and tangy peach filling, and the velvety whipped cream cheese frosting. Each element plays a crucial role in building a cake that is greater than the sum of its parts. The interplay of warm spices, bright fruit, and cool cream creates a dessert that is both comforting and sophisticated, ideal for special occasions or simply elevating an ordinary day. Get ready to bake a cake that will undoubtedly become a cherished family favorite!

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Print Recipe

Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

This spice cake has a fresh peach filling and is topped with whipped cream cheese frosting and garnished with more fresh peaches.

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Cuisine:
American

Keyword:
Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

Servings:

1
cake

Calories:

4027
kcal

Author:
An Affair from the Heart

Cook Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 box spice cake baked according to box instructions for a layer cake.

For the Peach Filling:

3 T cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
3 T lemon juice
1 1/2 cup peaches mashed
1 c boiling water
1 T butter
2 t lemon zest
a couple of drops of pink food coloring optional

For the Whipped Cream Frosting:

1 – 8 oz package of cream cheese softened
1/2 c granulated sugar
1 t vanilla extract
1/2 t almond extract
2 c heavy whipping cream

Instructions

Prepare layer cake according to box instructions, cool.
Prepare the filling: In a double boiler over water, add sugar, salt and cornstarch. Top off with boiling water and stir until thick and there are no lumps. Add butter, lemon zest and juice. Mix thoroughly. Add peaches add optional food coloring. Stir. Place in refrigerator to cool.
To Prepare the Frosting: In your standing mixer with whisk attachment whip together cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add extracts and slowly add cream. Whip continually, occasionally stopping beater to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, until frosting forms peaks. Place in refrigerator while you assemble the cake.
To assemble the cake: When cake is cool, place bottom layer on your plate. Top with peach filling, saving a little bit to fill in sides. Top off with second layer. Fill in the gaps in the sides of the filling. (It looks like a giant hamburger!! 😉 ) Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with fresh peaches. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

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Pro Tips for a Flawless Peaches & Cream Spice Cake

Achieving a truly spectacular Peaches and Cream Spice Cake is easier than you think with a few expert tips. These simple guidelines will help you navigate the baking and assembly process, ensuring your dessert is not only beautiful but also incredibly delicious:

Select Peak Season Peaches: The flavor of your peach filling and garnish hinges on the quality of your fruit. Opt for peaches that are deeply fragrant, yield slightly to gentle pressure, and have vibrant coloring. Fresh, ripe peaches are non-negotiable for the best taste.
Ensure Cake Layers are Fully Cooled: Patience is key here! Attempting to fill or frost cake layers that are still warm will cause your frosting to melt and your filling to become runny, leading to a potentially messy outcome. Allow your cake layers to cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding.
Mindful Frosting Preparation: When whipping the cream cheese and especially when incorporating the heavy cream, avoid overmixing. Over-whipped cream can become grainy or even curdle. Stop mixing as soon as firm peaks form, for that perfectly light and fluffy texture.
Chill Your Equipment for Frosting: For optimal results with your whipped cream cheese frosting, place your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before you start whipping the heavy cream. This extra chill helps the cream whip up faster and maintain its beautiful, stable peaks.
Customize Sweetness: Before assembling, taste both your peach filling and your frosting. If your peaches are exceptionally sweet, you might consider slightly reducing the sugar in the filling. Adjust the sweetness level of the frosting to suit your personal preference.
Allow Filling to Set: It’s crucial to give the peach filling ample time to cool and thicken in the refrigerator. This critical step prevents the filling from oozing out between your cake layers once assembled, ensuring a clean and stable cake structure.

Sharing the Joy: Serving Your Special Cake

Once your Peaches and Cream Spice Cake is beautifully assembled, frosted, and adorned with those inviting fresh peach slices, it’s ready for its grand unveiling! For Marie’s birthday, we added a flourish of candles, an optional but highly recommended touch for any celebratory occasion. There’s an undeniable warmth and personal satisfaction that comes from presenting a homemade cake, especially one crafted with such care, to those you cherish most.

Whether it’s for a special birthday, a festive holiday gathering, or simply a weekend treat to brighten your family’s day, this cake promises to bring smiles all around. It pairs beautifully with a steaming mug of coffee, a delicate cup of tea, or even a chilled glass of sparkling wine for a touch of elegance. And remember, as part of Marie’s spread, we also delighted guests with a delicious Whiskey Peach Pie, a perfect complement for any true peach enthusiast!

Happy Birthday, Marie! Your heartfelt love for peaches truly sparked the creation of a culinary delight that we’ll undoubtedly be enjoying for many years to come.

The exquisite combination of warm spices, the juicy sweetness of fresh peaches, and the luxurious creaminess of the frosting culminates in a dessert that is both deeply comforting and elegantly refreshing. This Peaches and Cream Spice Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the best of seasonal produce and to create joyful memories around the family table. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this recipe and experience its delightful flavors for yourself. It’s truly an affair for the heart, from my kitchen to yours!