Brown Sugar Peach Cake Recipe

Heavenly Brown Sugar Peach Cake Recipe: Sweet Summer Bliss

Sweet brown sugar peach cake brings summer’s most delightful flavors into a luscious dessert that dances with natural warmth and comforting richness.

Ripe peaches reinvent ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary experience, infusing each slice with vibrant golden memories.

Southern kitchens understand the magic of combining tender fruit with caramelized sugar notes that whisper nostalgia.

Soft crumb and delicate fruit create a harmonious texture that melts deliciously on your tongue.

Fragrant spices weave through the cake, elevating simple ingredients into something truly remarkable.

Generous layers promise pure indulgence, blending rustic charm with sophisticated sweetness that feels both familiar and exciting.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this irresistible celebration of seasonal bounty.

Why Brown Sugar Peach Cake Is a Sweet Southern Classic

  • Savor Sweet Summer Simplicity: This brown sugar peach cake transforms basic ingredients into a mouthwatering dessert that captures the essence of fresh, ripe peaches with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Enjoy Effortless Elegance: The recipe uses a convenient cake mix as a base, allowing even novice bakers to create a stunning dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a professional bakery.
  • Celebrate Versatile Comfort: Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or casual family desserts, this cake offers a delightful blend of tender cake texture and rich brown sugar frosting that appeals to all ages and occasions.

What You Need to Make Peach Cake with a Hint of Caramel

Cake Base:
  • Yellow Cake Mix: Provides quick and consistent cake structure with reliable texture.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the cake's overall composition.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and tender crumb for the cake.
  • Peach Nectar: Infuses natural peach flavor and enhances cake's moistness.
  • Food Coloring (Optional): Creates visual appeal with soft peachy tone.
Fresh Fruit:
  • Fresh Peaches: Adds natural sweetness and fresh texture to the cake, best when ripe and juicy.
Frosting Components:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for caramel-like frosting.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides silky consistency and balances sweetness.
  • Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, molasses-like flavor with warm caramel notes.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
  • Confectioner's Sugar: Helps create smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.

How to Bake This Moist Cake with Fresh or Canned Peaches

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • Lightly spray 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray

Step 2: Mix Cake Batter

Ingredients:
  • Cake mix
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Peach nectar
  • Optional food coloring
  • Fresh peaches

Blend all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Gently fold in chopped peaches. Transfer batter to prepared baking pan.

Step 3: Bake Cake

Bake for approximately 28 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out with moist crumbs but no wet batter. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Step 4: Create Brown Sugar Frosting

Ingredients:
  • Butter
  • Heavy cream
  • Brown sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Confectioner's sugar

In a saucepan, combine butter, cream, and brown sugar. Bring to a rolling boil while stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and sifted confectioner’s sugar. Whisk until completely smooth and free of lumps.

Step 5: Frost And Finish Cake

Pour frosting evenly over cooled cake in one continuous motion. Allow frosting to set at room temperature or refrigerate. Slice and serve when frosting has hardened.

Tips for Soft Peaches and Caramelized Edges

  • Select Ripe Peaches: Choose fragrant, soft peaches that yield gently when pressed for maximum natural sweetness and flavor intensity.
  • Prevent Fruit Sinking: Lightly dust chopped peaches with flour before folding into batter to prevent them from settling at the bottom during baking.
  • Check Cake Doneness: Watch for golden edges and insert a toothpick near the center- moist crumbs are perfect, wet batter means more baking time is needed.
  • Smooth Frosting Technique: Pour the brown sugar frosting quickly and evenly in one smooth motion to create a flawless, glossy top layer.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for better cake texture and more even mixing results.

Storing and Reheating Peach Cake Without Drying It Out

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover Brown Sugar Peach Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for a delightful treat later.
  • Reheating: Thaw frozen cake slices in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore soft texture and enhance flavors.

What to Pair with a Slice of Peach Cake

  • Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop a cold, creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the warm brown sugar peach cake for a delightful temperature contrast that enhances the cake's sweet, fruity flavors.
  • Match with Peach Bellini: Complement the cake's peachy essence by serving a light, bubbly peach bellini cocktail that echoes the fruit's brightness and adds a sophisticated touch to dessert.
  • Serve with Cinnamon Tea: Brew a warm cup of cinnamon tea to highlight the cake's brown sugar notes and provide a cozy, comforting accompaniment that brings out the dessert's rich, homey qualities.
  • Enjoy with Whipped Mascarpone: Top the cake with a dollop of light, airy whipped mascarpone to add a luxurious, tangy element that balances the cake's sweetness and provides a creamy contrast.

Different Ways to Tweak the Flavor

  • Seasonal Berry Blast: Swap peaches with mixed summer berries like raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries for a vibrant fruit-packed version of the cake.
  • Tropical Paradise Cake: Replace peach nectar with mango nectar and add shredded coconut to the batter for a tropical-inspired dessert with exotic flavors.
  • Spiced Autumn Edition: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger into the cake mix to create a warm, cozy fall-inspired cake that celebrates seasonal spices.
  • Nutty Crunch Delight: Fold chopped pecans or almonds into the batter and sprinkle additional nuts on top of the frosting for added texture and rich nutty undertones.
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Brown Sugar Peach Cake Recipe

Brown Sugar Peach Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 43 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Brown sugar peach cake brings Southern charm to summer desserts with juicy peaches nestled in a rich, caramelized batter. Sweet layers of fruit and tender crumb promise a delightful slice of comfort you’ll savor until the last delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 15 ounces (425 grams) yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines)
  • 1 pound (454 grams) peeled and chopped peaches (about 34 peaches)
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) peach nectar or peach juice

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) vegetable oil
  • 1 drop orange food coloring (optional)

Frosting Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (220 grams) packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (300 grams) confectioner’s sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature and prepare a rectangular baking dish with a light coating of non-stick spray.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cake mix with liquid ingredients, creating a uniform, silky batter. Gently incorporate fresh peach chunks, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
  3. Transfer the fragrant batter into the prepared pan, ensuring an even surface for consistent baking.
  4. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake until a inserted toothpick reveals moist, tender crumbs without raw batter residue.
  5. Remove the cake and allow it to cool completely, providing ample time for the texture to settle and flavors to meld.
  6. For the luxurious topping, create a caramel-like glaze by melting butter with cream and rich brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
  7. Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, remove from heat and swiftly whisk in vanilla and powdered sugar until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.
  8. Carefully drizzle the warm frosting over the cooled cake, working quickly to ensure an even, seamless coating.
  9. Let the frosting set at room temperature or expedite the process by chilling in the refrigerator.
  10. When ready, slice the cake into generous portions and serve, revealing the tender peach-studded interior.

Notes

  • Elevate this dessert by using fresh, ripe peaches for maximum natural sweetness and vibrant flavor.
  • Ensure cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting and maintain a perfect glossy finish.
  • Brown sugar frosting sets quickly, so pour it immediately and evenly across the entire cake surface for consistent coverage.
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, helping create a tender and moist cake texture.
  • For best results, use a toothpick test to check cake doneness, looking for moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  • Optional food coloring can enhance the cake’s visual appeal, creating a soft peachy hue that matches the fruit’s essence.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 352
  • Sugar: 40 g
  • Sodium: 230 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 68 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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