Nothing says summer like a freshly baked strawberry peach cake. This delightfully light and fruity dessert combines two of the season’s sweetest treasures, strawberries and peaches, folded into a moist, tender cake base. With just a hint of vanilla and tangy sour cream, each bite bursts with balance and flavor, complemented by the airy texture of freshly whipped cream on top.
Perfect for brunch, afternoon tea, or a summer get-together, this cake is as visually appealing as it is delicious. The vibrant slices of fruit on top offer a naturally colorful presentation, and the soft crumb makes it impossible to resist. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this strawberry peach cake delivers that homemade charm with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ cup sour cream
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½ cup whole milk
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1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
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1 cup chopped fresh peaches
For the Topping:
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1 cup heavy whipping cream
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2 tbsp powdered sugar
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½ tsp vanilla extract
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Sliced strawberries and peaches for garnish
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
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Stir in sour cream and milk until well combined.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
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Fold in chopped strawberries and peaches.
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Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
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Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing.
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For the topping, beat the whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
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Spread the whipped cream over the cooled cake and garnish with fresh fruit slices.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Kcal: 310 kcal per slice | Servings: 8 servings
Strawberry Peach Cake: A Seasonal Delight Full of Sweet, Sunny Flavors
There’s something deeply nostalgic about fruit-filled cakes, especially when they include summer’s most iconic produce: strawberries and peaches. These juicy, sun-ripened fruits are not just beautiful and naturally sweet, they are also incredibly versatile. One of the best ways to celebrate their flavor is in a simple, yet elegant Strawberry Peach Cake. Whether you’re baking it for a backyard party, a Sunday brunch, or just as a treat for yourself, this cake brings seasonal freshness to the table with minimal fuss and all the wow factors.
In this article, we’ll dive into the delightful flavor combinations, the ingredients that make it shine, customization tips, pairing ideas, and what makes this cake so special among seasonal bakes. We’ll also talk about texture, storage tips, and some ideas for presentation.
Why Strawberry and Peach?
Strawberries and peaches are summer’s finest fruits, each bringing its own character to the dessert table. Strawberries are known for their vivid red hue, juicy flesh, and subtly tangy taste that balances well with sweet elements. Peaches, on the other hand, are softer and more aromatic, bringing a floral, mellow sweetness that complements the acidity of the berries.
When combined in a cake, they create a harmonious balance, neither fruit overpowering the other. Instead, they enhance one another, making the bite feel rounded, bright, and deeply satisfying. You get the richness of a buttery cake base, the burst of fruit in every forkful, and the lightness of whipped cream to tie it all together. It’s no wonder this pairing is a favorite in cobblers, pies, and now, cakes.
The Foundation: Moist Vanilla Cake
The backbone of this recipe is a rich, yet light vanilla cake. What sets this cake apart from others is the addition of sour cream. Sour cream contributes to a velvety texture and tender crumb without making the cake dense. Combined with whole milk, it provides just the right balance of fat and moisture, resulting in a soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
This base is also great at holding in chunks of fresh fruit without getting soggy. The flour-to-liquid ratio ensures that even juicy fruits like peaches and strawberries don’t sink to the bottom or release too much moisture during baking.
Fresh Ingredients Make All the Difference
Whenever you’re baking with fruit, it’s best to use fresh, in-season produce. Strawberries and peaches at their peak have the best flavor and natural sweetness, making it unnecessary to add a lot of sugar. If you don’t have access to fresh fruit, you can use frozen (thawed and drained), but the flavor won’t be as vibrant.
Key Tips for Choosing Fruit:
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Look for strawberries that are bright red with a shiny skin and fresh green tops.
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Peaches should give slightly to pressure and have a sweet aroma. Avoid ones with greenish hues or hard spots.
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Don’t over-chop the fruit, larger chunks give you better bites of flavor and help maintain cake texture.
A Light and Airy Topping
Instead of a dense frosting or sugary glaze, this cake is topped with freshly whipped cream. This not only keeps the overall flavor profile light, but also allows the fruit flavors to shine through.
Whipping cream with just a hint of powdered sugar and vanilla offers a sweet, airy contrast to the rich crumb of the cake. Garnishing with slices of strawberries and peaches makes the presentation both rustic and elegant, perfect for serving to guests.
Optional Additions:
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For extra dimension, consider adding lemon zest or almond extract to the whipped cream.
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A drizzle of honey or a sprinkling of crushed pistachios adds texture and visual appeal.
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If you want to make it a layered cake, double the recipe and add a middle layer of cream and fruit.
Texture and Flavor Notes
This cake checks all the boxes when it comes to a perfect summer dessert:
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Moist and tender – thanks to sour cream and milk
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Lightly sweet – not cloying, so the fruit remains the star
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Fruit-studded – pockets of juicy peach and strawberry in every slice
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Creamy top layer – the whipped topping adds a cloud-like softness
When you take a bite, you get layers of contrast: the dense crumb of the cake, the juicy burst of fruit, and the cool, airy whipped topping. It’s a sensory balance that feels indulgent, yet refreshing.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this Strawberry Peach Cake is how adaptable it is. Here are a few ways to change things up based on dietary needs, available ingredients, or personal preference:
Make it Gluten-Free:
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add a teaspoon if not already included.
Make it Dairy-Free:
Use plant-based butter, dairy-free yogurt in place of sour cream, and a nut or oat-based milk. Coconut cream can be whipped instead of dairy cream.
Make it Vegan:
In addition to the dairy-free swaps above, use flaxseed meal or applesauce as an egg replacement.
Add a Spice Twist:
A pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger can be added to the batter for extra warmth and complexity.
Other Fruit Substitutions:
Use raspberries, nectarines, or blueberries if peaches or strawberries aren’t available. A mix of stone fruits works beautifully.
How to Serve and Store
Serving Suggestions:
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Best served slightly chilled, especially if you live in a warm climate.
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Pair with a cup of tea or a light white wine for a delightful brunch or dessert moment.
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It also makes a stunning addition to a picnic or potluck table—just keep it cool until serving.
Storage Tips:
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Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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If making ahead, bake the cake the day before and add the whipped topping right before serving.
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Freezing the cake (without topping) is also an option. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Why You’ll Love This Cake
There are plenty of summer dessert recipes out there, but this one hits the sweet spot of ease, flavor, and presentation. It doesn’t require layers or complicated frostings. The ingredients are simple and affordable. And yet, it looks beautiful enough to serve at a special occasion.
Whether you’re making this for your family, for a garden party, or just to use up that basket of fruit on your counter, this Strawberry Peach Cake is bound to become a seasonal favorite.
Conclusion
In a world full of over-the-top desserts, sometimes the most memorable ones are those that lean into simplicity. This Strawberry Peach Cake is a reminder that when you start with great ingredients, like fresh strawberries, ripe peaches, and real cream, you don’t need much else to make something extraordinary.
It’s the kind of cake that looks like summer and tastes like a day in the sun. Moist, fruity, and effortlessly elegant, it’s perfect for any occasion or no occasion at all. So grab those fresh fruits while they’re still in season, and bake something that will have everyone asking for seconds.