Saturday, May 24, 2014

A peachy cake and contest




Here's a  peachy idea and a comment contest from Victoria Abbott  (aka Mary Jane and Victoria Maffini)






A peachy little cake and a contest

We admit peaches are not in season here in this part of Canada yet.  None of our local fruit is.  We have to accept that. But for the Victoria Day weekend we had a little party outdoors with the grill and felt that a cake with some fruit would be just the ticket.  This little cake is a bit like a pound cake, a bit dense.  The lime syrup gives it some real zing.   

The peaches in our market seemed to be made of rock, so we used frozen peaches, just thawed, and blueberries.  Both times we made the cake (Mother’s Day and Victoria Day) it didn’t last long.  We look forward to trying it again in peach season.  It will be a regular at our table! 

You will need:


1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2/3 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
3 eggs at room temperature
3 tablespoons milk
Zest of two small limes
2 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp lime juice
3 tbsp icing sugar
3 peaches unpeeled, but sliced or 1 cup frozen peach slices and ½ cup fresh blueberries


Here's how to make it! 

 
Preheat the oven to 350 F

Butter an 8-in round pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.  

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

Cream butter with ¾ cup sugar at medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in milk, lime zest and vanilla. Reduce speed to lowest and beat in flour mix until just blended. 
 
Transfer batter to pan and smooth top.


Bake in center of oven 30 – 35 minutes until a tester comes out clean. 


Boil the lime juice with 2 tablespoons of sugar until sugar is dissolved.  Cool slightly. 



Let cake rest for about 15 minutes and transfer to a rack (remove parchment first) Brush top with the lime syrup. It may not take the whole amount. 


Cool completely. 

Whip the cream with the icing sugar (and a bit of vanilla if you like) until you have soft peaks.
Just before serving slather cream on cake.  Top with peaches and blueberries. Or you could use strawberries - lots of options! 





 Help us celebrate!





Something else we think is just peachy is the approaching release of The Wolfe Widow, book three in our book collector series.





 
    Pre-order it here!




 We're celebrating with a draw for this Wolfe Widow mug.  All you have to do is leave a comment here!
 




Walter the Pug looks great on the cover. He's a dead ringer for Peachy, seen here in her tutu, dressed to kill for the launch of The Sayers Swindle.











 Come over and friend Victoria Abbott on Facebook
www.facebook.com/BookCollectorMysteries   www.facebook.com/maryjane.maffini
Tell  her  you love the pug!
www.twitter.com/AbbottMysteries
www.pinterest.com/jbinghamkelly
and check out Mary Jane Maffini and Victoria Abbott

59 comments:

  1. That cake looks absolutely delicious. Save me a piece, I'm on my way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mark! Always glad to have you drop in.

      Cheers!

      Delete
  2. Ohhh it looks amazing. It's not peach season here in WNY either, but I think I'll be making this in the summer!

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    Replies
    1. Hope you like it! I think our climate's not all that different.

      Thanks for coming by.

      Hugs!

      Delete
  3. I wonder what would happen if you mixed some peaches with a little flour and added them to the batter. I make a peach pound cake like that. This would be smaller which would be better.

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  4. How fun. What a pretty cake and great giveaway. Going to tweet right now!

    Daryl / Avery

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  5. That cake looks so good. It shouldn't be too much longer until we get nice peaches in and I'm going to save this for then. It'll be the first thing I make with them.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Janet! It's always nice to hear from you,

      Hope it turns out well for you.

      Hugs,

      Delete
  6. I must copy this recipe. It looks delicious. There is nothing like a big peach from the Niagara fruit belt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Nancy! Can't wait until they here.

      Hugs,

      Delete
  7. I don't know which looks more lovely -- the peach cake or that charming blue dish that it's resting on! I've enjoyed both books in this series, and look forward to reading The Wolfe Widow.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Linda. I got the blue dish and some others the year we spent in England. I was missing my family and friends and sought solace in the antique fairs. Still have the souvenirs.

      XO

      Delete
  8. That cake would last all of 5 minutes at my house! Love that coffee mug!

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    Replies
    1. It didn't last long here either, Lynda! Glad you like it.,

      XOXO

      Delete
  9. The cake looks so yummy that I will be making this my next day off! Looking forward to the book. :)

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    Replies
    1. I can see myself drinking my coffee, eating that cake out of one of those cups! Cute!

      Delete
    2. I like that picture, Tonya! Fingers crossed.

      Hugs,

      Delete
  10. Looks good! Going to try it this summer

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  11. This looks lovely and easy to make. I will have to try it soon!

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  12. Yum, yum--I'm gaining weight just reading your blog. And now I'm craving fresh peaches and we don't get the good ones until late summer.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ours come in late summer too, Sue. I've been thinking about them ...

      Hugs.

      Delete
  13. I love the combo of recipes and cozies! And a pug on a mug!

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    Replies
    1. It is lots of fun, isn't it. Such nice ladies. So dangerous. Not the pug of course.

      Cheers,

      Delete
  14. Yummy cake, cute mug, count me in !

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  15. Delectable cake. Love your posts. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. The recipes and books are always a delightful way to begin my day. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you 'petite'!

      It is a great combo isn't it?

      Hugs,

      Delete
  17. We love peaches. We can help Canadian's celebrate Victoria Day with a cup of tea and a great piece of peach cake---blueberries aren't so bad either!!!! Ronnalord(at)msn(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ronna! We'll celebrate Memorial Day with you. Sometimes, it's the same day. More cakes, I say.

      Hugs,

      Delete
  18. I'm happy to see that Peachy has coordinated her harness and tutu colors! What a fashionista.
    And the cake sounds lovely.

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    Replies
    1. You always notice the important stuff, Libby. Thanks!

      XOXO

      Delete
  19. This sounds like a great little cake - will have to put it on my go to list for desserts. Anything with peaches, yum, and the I think the lime would add a little zing.

    Walter the Pug looks great on the cover, but I may be prejudiced by my association with our Pep the Pug! sallycootie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sally - there's something that draws pug people together. They are such great little dogs.

      Hugs!

      Delete
  20. The cake looks yummy. Love the mug and the dog. ---Rae
    rae725(at)aol(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming by, Rae! Fingers crossed.

      Cheers/

      Delete
  21. Beautiful cake. Frozen peaches are awesome (Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson used them offseason too)! Can't wait for the next book.

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  22. Thank you, Constant Reader. Love your name and hope you enjoy the Wolfe Widow too.

    Hugs.

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  23. Great recipe. This series sounds interesting.

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  24. I will definitely be making this YUMMO!!! Peaches are not here yet at my Farmers Markets in Pittsburgh, Pa but will definitely use the frozen. Thanks :)
    Mary
    Ladylotion@msn.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary! Don't you just love the Farmers Markets, whatever's in season,

      Cheers.

      Delete
  25. Love your books, but hate to eat peaches an any form except plain fresh peaches all alone. ;(

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    Replies
    1. I too have my love and hate rules for food, Liz. Thanks for coming by.

      Hugs!

      Delete
  26. Family had peach upside cake when visiting my aunt who had peach, cherry, Apple, and pecan trees. At home we tried peaches from grocery store; not as good. We went back to the traditional pineapple upside down cake unless Aunt come for a visit bringing peaches. Will have to try this and send your recipe to my cousin to make for my aunt. Thanks for the giveaway mug!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for coming by, Linda. Aunts bringing peaches sounds great.

      Good luck!

      Delete
  27. I have to try out this recipe for my husband's birthday! He is a big peach fan. Thanks!

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