This Soft and Tender Peach Cake is a truly summery treat—moist, fragrant, with bright peach flavor in every bite. John Kanell from Preppy Kitchen shares this simple recipe on TikTok, and it’s perfect for beginner bakers or anyone who wants a gorgeous dessert with minimal fuss . Think of it as an elevated sheet cake that works beautifully for backyard dinners, brunch spreads, or just a cozy dessert at home.
Why This Cake Works
- Uses fresh peaches folded into a buttery batter
- No mixer needed—whisk by hand and pour into a baking pan
- Bakes in under 45 minutes with a soft crumb and golden top
- Scales up or down easily in 8×8 or 9×13 pans
- Perfect served warm or room temperature—with ice cream or whipped cream
Ingredients Overview
Fruit Layer
- 3–4 ripe peaches (about 500g), peeled and cut into ½‑inch pieces
Cake Batter
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour (160g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (75g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120ml) plain yogurt (or sour cream)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
Topping (Optional Crunch)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Equipment Needed
- Oven
- 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square baking pan
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Whisk or fork
- Spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cooling rack
Prep & Baking Time
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Bake: 40–45 minutes
- Cooling: 15 minutes
- Total: ~1 hour
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Peaches
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter your baking pan or line it with parchment.
- Peel and dice peaches into uniform ½-inch pieces—peeling helps ensure a soft texture in the cake layer.
- Set aside while you prepare the batter.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Set aside.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, milk, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Slowly whisk in the melted butter until the mixture is well blended. Batter will be slightly thick.
4. Assemble the Cake
- Gently stir dry ingredients into the wet batter in thirds, stopping when just combined.
- Fold in the fresh peach pieces carefully, preserving their shape.
- Spread batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- If desired, sprinkle the 2 tablespoons sugar-cinnamon mix evenly over the top for a crisp crust.
5. Bake Until Golden
- Bake in the center of your oven for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are fine).
- Cake will be golden on top and fragrant.
6. Cool & Serve
- Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack for 15 minutes to set.
- Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
- Optional: top with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips & Variations
- Use a mixture of white and yellow peaches, or add nectarines, for color and flavor contrast.
- Gently pat peach pieces dry before folding into batter to prevent soggy texture.
- For a deeper flavor, add ½ teaspoon ground ginger or cardamom.
- Turn this into a sheet cake by baking in a 9×13 pan; bake for 30–35 minutes only.
- Make it gluten-free by swapping flour with an equal amount of 1:1 gluten-free blend.
- Omit sugar topping to reduce sweetness or for a softer crust.
Storage & Serving Suggestions
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 8–10 minutes, or warm in the microwave.
- Freeze cooled slices in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat.
Serving Presentation Ideas
- Serve squares in ramekins with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle of peach syrup from the cake.
- Add fresh mint leaves or a dusting of cinnamon for color.
- Display on a wooden board or cake stand with fresh peach slices around the tray—Pinterest perfect!
Final Thoughts
Preppy Kitchen’s Soft Peach Cake brings summer flavor to the table with simplicity and elegance. With minimal steps and pantry-friendly ingredients, this cake is ideal for bakers of all levels. It’s moist, tender, and full of peach goodness—great for brunch, dessert, or gifting.
