Do you think it means I’m weird because I get excited about seasonal fruits and recipes for things like Peach & Almond Shortcake? Maybe I’m just a serious foodie, or maybe I’m just a big fan of the great outdoors and all that nature has to offer. Could be all these things are true … but weird is a good guess.
Shortcakes are fun and easy to pull together, usually eggless and more like a biscuit than cake. The ingredients are simple and the batter very forgiving. That’s why I felt free to experiment, once again, with almond paste. Almonds and peaches are perfect together so I thought I might bring the almond flavor to the front of this sweet biscuit-like cake.
Topped with sliced almonds and sprinkled with coarse sugar, this cake can’t get much easier.
Baked until golden brown, this moist cake is ready to soak up loads of peach syrup without falling apart. The peach and almond flavors are both dominant so nothing is lost by bringing them together.
To serve a crowd, slice the cake in half horizontally and place the sugared peaches between the layers and on top. To serve a few of your favorite people, slice into wedges and top with peaches and sweetened cream.
Drizzle with more peach syrup and serve!
Don’t forget your PIN!
- Shortcake:
- 2¼ cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 ounces unsalted chilled butter, cut into small pieces (1 stick)
- 3.5 ounces almond paste, frozen, then grated using the large-hole side of a box grater
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 egg mixed with 1 teaspoon cold water for brushing on top of shortcake
- Coarse sugar for topping
- sliced almonds for topping
- Sweetened whipped cream for serving if desired
- Peaches:
- 4-5 sliced peaches (peeled or unpeeled) about 4 heaping cups
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 1½ tablespoons)
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Add the chilled butter pieces to the flour and mix using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
- Add the grated almond paste and blend using a spatula or fork.
- Mix the almond extract with the buttermilk and pour into the flour mixture. Gently fold together just until combined, do not over mix.
- Spoon the mixture into a greased 8” springform pan (use an 8 or 9 inch cake pan if desired - carefully watch the baking time if using a 9” pan). Brush the shortcake with the egg wash then sprinkle with coarse sugar and almonds.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes then remove from the pan and continuing cooling on a wire rack.
- While the cake is cooling combine the peaches, sugar and lemon juice and let stand at room temperature.
- Serve the shortcake sliced into wedges topped with the sliced peaches, peach syrup and sweetened whipped cream if desired.
We’re heading out on the long drive to Georgia to attend a memorial service for my father-in-law who passed away Sunday. Albert was 92 years old and in pretty good health until the last year or so. I’ll be off-the-grid for a few days but will catch up on my blog reading and commenting next week! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by and don’t forget to call your parents if you can!
Tricia
Looks so good. Peach/almond sounds like a tasty combo, thanks for sharing
What a pretty and perfect summer dessert. It looks so good and I think it should be pretty easy to prepare. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Nancy – I love summer fruits and peaches are a favorite. Thanks for commenting!
So sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I hope the memorial service goes well.
And I feel the same way as you about seasonal fruit – it just doesn’t get any better than that.
Thank you Beth. The memorial service was very nice and my husband did the eulogy. It was hard and the drive was grueling – 1,200 miles with a three year old! Actually he did great and we enjoyed lots of FaceTime with our daughter too. Love seasonal fruits and will miss them so much when winter arrives 🙂
I absolutely love cakes like this that aren’t smothered in heavy frosting. A little whipped cream and fruit is all I need. This is a wonderful recipe for all of those delicious peaches at the markets right now. I love this, Tricia!
Thanks Susan – I wish I could eat peaches at every meal!
You’re just like me when it comes to fresh produce Tricia. I get super excited when new seasonal fruits and veggies appear at the market. Maybe that does make us a little weird but who cares? Love everything about this wonderful looking shortcake!
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law. It’s hard to lose a parent, no matter how old they are. Hope things go well this weekend and it’s a sweet time with family.
Thanks Chris. I am going to miss all these wonderful fruits and vegetables and especially tomatoes when the cold weather comes!
Oh I’ve gotten excited about fresh fruits too–mostly because I want to use them in desserts! 😛 This looks like the perfect way to do just that, love the almond + peach combo 🙂
I hear you June and I completely understand. Fresh fruit pies are always first in my mind! Have a lovely weekend!
Magical shortcake Tricia.
So sorry to hear about your F-I-L – sending much love your way.
🙂 Mandy xo
Thank you so much Mandy. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
I love shortcake in every form. Sorry to hear about your father in law. Please accept my condolences. Have a safe trip and eat some good food along the way.
Thank you Abbe. I am afraid we are eating way too much on this trip! Family and food just seem to go together. Have a lovely weekend!
SO SORRY to hear about your Father-in-Law! HOPE your trip is safe! Will be thinking of you & praying for you!
This dessert looks SO GOOD!!! NO, you are NOT “weird” for wanting to use seasonal fruits! 😉 LOL It’s actually, VERY SMART! 😉
Thanks Becky. We are here in Georgia enjoying time with family. The peach shortcake is a real treat! Love our seasonal fruits and vegetables!
Tricia I’m so sorry about your Father in Law. Even a life well-leaved is a sad passing. This gorgeous cake is a wonderful tribute as Georgia does love it’s peaches! Everything about this is so homey and inviting. Big hug to you my friend!
Thank you Toni. That is so true. It will be a celebration of life for sure. We sure love our peaches! Have a great weekend.
So sorry about your father in-law Tricia! Take care!
Thank you very much. It is going to be a celebration of life for sure.
Hi Tricia, I think that your both a foodie and a nature lover. I also think that you are a fabulous baker, love the way you celebrate each season with your food. This looks amazing!
Thanks Cheri – you are such a sweetie! Hope you have a wonderful weekend
Hand me a jar of that peach syrup and I’ll be a happy camper! This looks spectacular, your photos are so bright and sunny, I want to step right in…
Peach syrup is pure heaven! Thank you so much Sue 🙂
I am mesmerized by that biscuit-like batter. What a great spin on the usual shortcake. And you know I am behind any kind of almond/almond paste cakes so this is a sure winner. That base is so ideal for your gorgeous peaches. What a treat.
So sorry about your father-in-law, Tricia. You guys take care.
I knew you enjoy this one Monica! We do share a love of all things almond, almond and almond! Thank you 🙂
Beautiful and a perfect use for summer peaches! Safe travels 🙂
Thank you Jennifer – we love our summer peaches!
Absolutely heavenly! I just bought 2 kilos of peaches and this recipe comes just in time. Thanks for sharing, Tricia.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with Angie – I know your peaches will be featured in a wonderful treat! Have a great weekend.