This easy recipe for fresh peach cake is a wonderful way to showcase sweet peaches when theyโre in season. Soft and tender with a creamy crumb, and featuring 2 layers of juicy peaches for extra peach flavor in every bite, this cake needs no topping or decorating (though a dusting of powdered sugar is always welcome). Itโs the perfect treat to enjoy on a porch swing with a glass of iced teaโor wherever you find summertime bliss.
One reader, Shelby, commented: โFeeling happy eating this. Itโs lightly sweetened, which is nice because the juicy peaches make up for the rest of the sugar. The crumb is so tender and melts in your mouth. Love the cinnamon in the centerโthat is a must! And you can smell the almond extract beautifully mingling with everything else. All of these flavors go so well together. โ โ โ โ โ โ
This simple yet impressive fresh peach cake is the perfect quick & easy dessert to make when peaches are in season, whether you picked them straight from a treeโฆ or from a roadside farm standโฆ or from the grocery store when they were on sale. I love peach pie, but sometimes you need a simple dessert recipe that can be ready to eat in the next couple of hours. This peach cake is just the thing!
(Peach crisp and peach cobbler are both wonderful options as well, of course. Especially if you happen to have vanilla ice cream in your freezer.)
Everything Youโll Love About This Fresh Peach Cake
- Super moist, tender, soft cake with juicy cinnamon-spiced peaches
- Great way to showcase fresh peaches during peak peach season
- Quick & easyโno mixer required, no separate topping to make, and you donโt even have to peel the peaches!
- All the flavors you love in peach pie (with less time & effort)
- Not overly sweet, so the fruitโs natural sweetness shines
- Greek yogurt makes for a creamy-like crumb, just like it does in lemon berry yogurt cake
- You could use dairy-free yogurt to make this a dairy-free recipe
- Donโt have to wait hours for it to cool completely before eating
- Transport and serve right from the baking pan
And as a welcome bonus, thereโs no complicated decorating required. Just give it a shimmy-shake of confectionersโ sugar over the top before servingโthis peach cake is a natural beauty!
Key Ingredients You Need & Why
- Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base for this cakeโs structure.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: With so many wet ingredients, we need both baking powder and soda to help lift this cake so itโs not heavy and flat.
- Salt: For its flavor-enhancing superpowers.
- Oil: Using oil instead of butter in cakes makes for a supremely moist crumb. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or melted coconut oil hereโbakerโs choice.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is the sweetener for this cake. You donโt need a lot, because the peaches are already sweet on their own.
- Eggs: Eggs provide structure, stability, and richness.
- Vanilla & Almond Extracts: Youโll love the flavor this combo provides. Itโs the same duo used to flavor classic sugar cookies.
- Greek Yogurt: Youโll notice that I use yogurt or sour cream in a lot of my cake recipes, like this grapefruit Greek yogurt cake. Both bring a slight tang (very mild) and brilliantly creamy moisture. I tested this cake with nonfat and low-fat Greek yogurt, regular yogurt, and sour creamโall were excellent. Greek yogurt added a little more tang and structure, though. You could also use a dairy-free yogurt to make this cake dairy free.
- Lemon Zest & Juice:ย Lemon brightens everything up, and adds some fresh flavor. Taste testers said the cake was lacking without it.
- Peaches: You need about 2 cups of sliced fresh peaches (peeling them first is optional). See the FAQs below for more information on the best type of peaches to use.
- Cinnamon: Totally optional.
Overview: How to Make Fresh Peach Cake
The cake is layered with peaches. Half batter, half peaches, remaining batter, remaining peaches.
Thereโs no mixer required for this recipe. Whisk the batter together, and then toss the peach slices with a little sugar to help them release some juices.
Then I like to toss HALF of the sugared peaches in cinnamon, so the fruit slices in the center of the cake mingle with creamy cinnamon swirls (similar to this peach quick bread). The other half of the peaches (without cinnamon) create the top layer of the cake. Again, the cinnamon is optional. You can simply toss ALL of the peaches with the cinnamon, or leave it out entirely.
Hereโs the creamy batter, and center layer of cinnamon-sugar peaches:
As you can see, the cake is brimming with fresh peaches. A 9-inch springform pan (what you use for cheesecake) is ideal for this one-layer cake.
Hereโs the cake before and after baking:
And while this natural beauty needs no extra embellishments, I like to sift a little dusting of confectionersโ sugar over the top just before serving. And, of course, whipped cream is always a welcome adornment.
Recipe Testing
Iโm happy to share my testing process with anyone interested in how this cake came to life! Todayโs peach cake is an almost-halved version of my lemon berry yogurt cake and a very slightly scaled-up version of this cherry buckle. I wanted to use oil instead of butter to keep the crumb light and moist.
It doesnโt seem like thereโs a lot of flour in the recipe, and youโre rightโthereโs not! I tested the cake with more, but it made the cake a little tough and heavy. Yogurt is a heavy ingredient, and more flour didnโt necessarily help.
In terms of flavor, lemon juice and almond extract are key. Taste testers felt the entire cake was lacking without these additions.
You can use any variety of peachesโyellow, white, or even doughnut peachesโbut you want slightly firm (not hard) peaches with no soft spots. Your best bet is to purchase or pick about 4 firm peaches, then let them sit in a paper bag for 1โ2 days to ripen. Some may have soft spots after this time, so that is why I suggest buying a couple more than you actually need. Eat any overly soft peaches or use them in peach muffins.
Fresh peaches are the best option for this fresh peach cake. If you must use frozen peach slices, thaw and then blot them dry before using.
Sure! This is a great cake for other fruits and flavors. Instead of peaches, try nectarines, apricots, plums, pears, apples, or even halved cherries.
The recipe is designed for a 9-inch springform pan, the same type used for lemon cheesecake, but you could also use a 10-inch cast iron skillet that I also use for this blackberry peach skillet cornmeal cake and frittata. A 9-inch or 10-inch square baking pan work too. I also have a recipe for a peach Bundt cake, and a peach quick bread if you want to try those instead.
Fresh Peach Cake
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: serves 8-10
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This easy recipe for fresh peach cake is a wonderful way to showcase sweet peaches when theyโre in season. Soft and tender with a creamy crumb, and featuring 2 layers of juicy peaches for extra peach flavor in every bite, this cake needs no topping or decorating (though a dusting of powdered sugar is always welcome). A mixer is not required for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flourย (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (120ml) oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or melted coconut oil)
- 2/3 cup (133g) granulated sugar, plus 1 Tablespoon for the peaches
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup (180g) plain Greek yogurt, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cups (about 300โ320g) sliced fresh peaches (peeled or unpeeled; about 3 peaches)
- optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- optional: confectionersโ sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (177ยฐC) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together until combined. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, 2/3 cup (133g) sugar, eggs, yogurt, vanilla and almond extracts, lemon juice, and lemon zest together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Batter is creamy and slightly thick. You will have just over 3 cups of batter.
- In a medium bowl, toss the peach slices with 1 Tablespoon of sugar to coat. Divide in half, moving half of the peaches to another bowl. Add cinnamon to one half of the peaches and gently stir to coat. The cinnamon is optional. You could also toss ALL of the peaches in the cinnamon; I like to toss only half so the center of the cake has plenty of cinnamon swirls.
- Pour and spread half the batter (just eyeball it) into the prepared pan. Place the cinnamon-sugared peaches in an even layer on top. Spread the remaining batter on top of the cinnamon peach layer. Place remaining sugared peaches on top.
- Bake for 50โ55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Around the 30-minute mark, loosely tent with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
- Remove the cake from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing, or cool completely. Dust with confectionersโ sugar, if desired, before serving.
- Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you topped with a dusting of confectionersโ sugar, note that the sugar will melt and disappear into the cake after a few hours.
Notes
- Freezing Instructions: Cover baked and cooled cake tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature before serving.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Vegetable/Fruit Peeler | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Citrus Juicer & Zester | 9-inch Springform Pan | Cooling Rack | Sieve (for dusting confectionersโ sugar)
- Can I Make This in a Different Pan? The recipe is designed for a 9-inch springform pan, but you could also use a 10-inch cast iron skillet. A 9-inch or 10-inch square baking pan work too. I also have a recipe for a peach Bundt cake, and a peach quick bread if you want to try those instead.
- Yogurt: I tested this cake with nonfat and low-fat Greek yogurt, regular yogurt, and sour creamโall were excellent. Greek yogurt added a little more tang and structure, though. You could also use a dairy-free yogurt to make this cake dairy free.
- Peaches: Fresh peaches are the best option for this fresh peach cake. If you must use frozen peach slices, thaw and then blot them dry before using. Canned peaches would be fine in a pinch, but the texture is much better with fresh. If using canned, be sure to drain and blot dry first.
Reader Comments and Reviews
Turned out delicious! I also added blueberries and baked it in a regular cake pan because I donโt have a springform. Still came out amazing!
I had fresh peaches that I needed to use and I thought this recipe came out great. I would use more more peaches next time, and I would love to learn how to make it gluten-free.
I love this recipe and have made it several times this season. I have trouble getting it done in the center. Could be my oven? finally baked it on a pre heated pizza stone. Turned out great.
Hi Tim, it could be that your oven isnโt quite as hot as it reads. Every oven can be a bit different, so yours may take just a few minutes longer to finish baking through. Weโre glad this is a favorite for you!
Has anyone used more peaches for this cake? If yes, how much more and how did it turn out?
Yes, I used 380-400grams of peaches (about2.5 peaches) and it turned out great!
What oil is best for this cake ~ olive oil or vegetable oil?
You can certainly use olive oil here, Colleen, but it will change the flavor of the cake. Olive oil, vegetable oil, or melted coconut oil could all be used โ go with your preference!
I used avocado oil and it turned out beautiful!
I realized I had bought plain low-fat yogurt and not greek, are there any tweaks I should make? I noticed the notes say it could work, but wondering if there is anything that could be added in to help structure it as greek would.
Greek yogurt adds a little more tang and structure, but you can use low-fat plain yogurt with no changes to the recipe. The cake was delicious with every yogurt variation we tested.
Loved this cake! Itโs perfect as a light dessert or a simple snacking cake to keep on the counter (it didnโt last long in our house). I wasnโt sure how it would turn out since the crust gets pretty dark in the springform pan while baking, but the inside was perfectly moist, light, and spongy. A new summer staple for sure!
Can you use applesauce instead of oil?
Hi Patti, oil really is best here for a supremely moist cake. Applesauce could leave the cake with a rubbery texture.
following up my previous comment, and what about a regular round pan?, ie, not springform, would that work? perhaps with parchment?
Hi Ash, a 9-inch round baking pan is too small for this recipe, but a 9- or 10-inch square pan will work.
hi, if i make this in a 9 inch square pan, would it turn out alright? do i need to change the baking time, and would greasing be okay or do i need to use parchment
Hi Ash, yes, a 9-inch square pan is fine for this recipe. Weโre unsure of the exact baking timeโuse a toothpick to test for doneness. You can either grease the pan or line with parchment. Enjoy the cake!
thankyou! will a regular nine inch round pan work too? (not springform)
Hi Ash, a 9-inch round cake pan is a little too small for the amount of batter this cake makes.