Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting

This Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting combines the sweet, juicy flavors of fresh peaches with a rich, caramelized brown sugar frosting that creates the perfect summer dessert. The tender, moist cake paired with the decadent frosting makes this recipe an absolute crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting delivers everything you want in a homemade dessert. The cake itself is incredibly moist thanks to the addition of sour cream, while diced peaches throughout provide bursts of natural sweetness and a delightful texture contrast. The brown sugar frosting is what truly sets this recipe apart – it’s rich, caramelized, and has a deeper flavor profile than traditional buttercream. The combination creates a dessert that tastes like summer in every bite, whether you’re serving it at a backyard barbecue, family gathering, or just treating yourself to something special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Peach Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup fresh or canned peaches, diced

For the Brown Sugar Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Cake:

1. Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
4. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract until well combined.
5. Alternate wet and dry ingredients: Add the flour mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix just until combined – don’t overmix.
6. Fold in peaches: Gently fold the diced peaches into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
7. Bake: Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and bake for 25-30 minutes (for round pans) or 35-40 minutes (for 9×13 pan), until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool completely: Let cake cool completely in pan before frosting.

Make the Brown Sugar Frosting:

9. Cook the base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add brown sugar. Stir constantly and cook for 2-3 minutes until mixture is bubbly and smooth.
10. Add milk: Slowly whisk in milk and continue cooking for another minute, stirring constantly.
11. Cool slightly: Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
12. Add powdered sugar: Gradually whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
13. Frost the cake: Once cake is completely cool, spread frosting evenly over the top.

Helpful Tips

Peach preparation: If using fresh peaches, make sure they’re ripe but still firm. Toss diced peaches lightly with a tablespoon of flour before folding into batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom.

Room temperature ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and sour cream are at room temperature for better mixing and a more tender cake texture.

Don’t overmix: Once you add the flour mixture, mix just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing can result in a tough cake.

Frosting consistency: The brown sugar frosting should be spreadable but not too thin. Work quickly once it’s made, as it will thicken as it cools.

Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus cooling time)
Servings: 12-16 pieces
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Notes

This Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting is best served at room temperature and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. The brown sugar frosting develops a slight crust on top while staying creamy underneath, creating a wonderful textural contrast. If fresh peaches aren’t available, canned peaches work perfectly – just make sure to drain them well and pat dry before dicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen peaches? Yes, but thaw and drain them thoroughly first. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before dicing and adding to the batter.

How do I know when the cake is done? Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

Can I make this cake ahead of time? Absolutely! The unfrosted cake can be made 1-2 days ahead and stored covered at room temperature. The frosted cake is best enjoyed within 2 days.

What if my frosting is too thick or thin? If too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time. If too thin, add powdered sugar ¼ cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Can I substitute the sour cream? You can substitute with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk for similar moisture and tang.

Storage Instructions

Store the frosted Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake actually improves after a day as the flavors develop and the moisture distributes evenly. For longer storage, wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before frosting and serving. The brown sugar frosting is best made fresh and doesn’t freeze well due to its texture.

Conclusion

This Peach Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting is the perfect celebration of summer’s bounty, transforming simple, fresh peaches into an extraordinary dessert. The moist, tender cake provides the ideal canvas for sweet peach pieces, while the rich brown sugar frosting adds a sophisticated caramelized flavor that elevates the entire dessert. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe delivers impressive results that will have everyone asking for seconds. The combination of fruity freshness and indulgent frosting makes this cake a memorable treat that captures the essence of homemade baking at its finest.