October 15, 2007

PEACH AND COCONUT CAKE


A delicious cake with Peach and coconut, is my contribution "a fruit a month aka AFAM" which is launched by Maheswari of "Beyond the usual" blog. This month's guest is our dear Mansi from "Fun and Food" blog and her choice of fruit is "Peach". Thanks for hosting Mansi!:))




Original recipe for this Baltimore Peach cake is from The Urbanite Magazine's food section and then I found a blog who already baked this cake with little variation which I liked and adapted the easy cake crust method and jam idea from this "Too many Chefs" blog.
Then I added my own variation of vanilla and coconut to this recipe as well, which is why I didn't name it "Baltimore" cake! I bet they don't use coconut in their authentic Baltimore Peach cake, don't want to mess with the originals now, do I?:D
Unlike the other traditional cakes, this recipe is more like a German Kuchen (cake), with a thinner Yeast raised base with fruit topping and somewhat tangier than sweet.
If you want to bake exactly like the original recipe, check out the Urbanite magazine. Whichever recipe you choose, I am sure you can't go wrong!:))

Peach and Coconut cake:

Peach-Coconut Cake
A slice anyone?

Peach-Coconut Cake

This is how I made my Peach and Coconut cake with the help of the above two sites, adding my own little touch!

You need:
1 3/4 cups All purpose plain flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 Package(1/4oz) active dry yeast,

1/2 tsp Vanilla essence (my addition)
3 tbsp butter, softened
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup warm water, temp. betn 115F-125F (any colder or hotter, yeast won't rise!)

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2-3 tbsp Raspberry Preserve or any fruit preserve you have or like
1 1/2 cups peaches (or 2 ripe peaches), peeled and sliced or 1(16oz) can,drained
1/2 cup sweetened coconut(my addition)

For glaze:
2 tablespoons sugar,1/4 cup Orange juice, 1 tsp butter. Microwave these for 2-4 mins or until you get a thickish syrup.

1 8" or 9" round or square non-stick cake pan, sprayed with oil on the bottom and the sides.
A sheet of foil to cover the top while baking.

Click on the image to see larger collage of the step by step photos:


How to bake the cake:
1. Add the first four dry ingredients to a mixer with a paddle hook to mix well for a minute.
2. Then add Vanilla, butter, Egg, mix for a minute and then add hot water slowly. Mix until you get a sticky mass like thick batter. If it's too thin,add 2-3 tbsp or so of plain flour but not too much.
3. Pour it out into the prepared baking pan, with wet fingers spread the batter/dough to all the corners of the pan gently.
4. Mix the Raspberry or any fruit preserve or Jam, and spread on the dough roughly, sprinkle Cinnamon on top.
5. Arrange the Peaches as you like on the preserve, press them a little and sprinkle coconut on top.
6. Cover and let it rise for an hour in a warm place. After an hour,you will see the unbaked cake risen and ready to go in the oven.
7. Preheat the oven to 400F. Slide in the pan, place a foil on top to prevent the coconut from burning and bake for 25-30mins.
8. When done, cool for 10 mins and transfer it to a cooling rack.Brush the glaze on top. When cooled, keep it covered in a cake stand.
9. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Makes a great breakfast with coffee since it's not very sweet. Keep it in fridge for few hrs for the best taste.

Note: If you don't like the tanginess of Orange glaze, skip it. Just sprinkle some sugar on top as soon as the cake comes out of the oven for a sweet taste!

That's it! It may not look as beautiful as the other two cakes in those sites but hey, who is complaining!! It was tangy with Orange glaze, not too sweet (Just the way I like it!) and delicious!:))

61 comments:

Raaga said...

looks lovely Ashakka

FH said...

Hi Raaga, you got here first this time! Enjoy, it's easy recipe!:))
I had a very busy weekend, couldn't open the blog at all except Sat morning for 5 mins. But had a great time driving 100 miles to a town just to eat and shop in Indian restaurant and store.I bought lot of Indian spices and veggies, time for LOT of cooking today!:))

Padmaja said...

hey peaches and coconut cake, wow, love your step by step photos!!!
i am in a dilemma of what to make for the event, hope i don't miss the deadline

Anonymous said...

so i got here third :) - i think the cake looks awesome - someday when i own a convection i'll try all these recipes and post verdicts on the yum blog - watch out :D

Laavanya said...

That looks lovely and such delicious layers of flavors...

FH said...

Padmaja, I have thought for a long time too for this, surfed for hrs! You will come up with something!:))

Haha!! Looking forward to all those Lakshmi, bake on lady!:)
Hope your amma is doing well. Hugs.

Thank you Lavanya. I like all my dessert with lot less sugar. This fits fine for me!:))

KayKat said...

I love the series of pictures! And you just reminded about the event, thanks :)

Padma said...

Love the photo collage, Asha! you are incredible, I am sure that must have tasted heavenly, thanks for indulging us in such delicious recipes!

sunita said...

Simply adore peaches...am drooling over your cake.

Rina said...

Looks real yummy combo and wonderful presentation. Nice Entry. I really want to try this one.

Richa said...

hey, that sounds like one lovely combo :) cake looks very good!

TBC said...

I'll take a slice of that:-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Asha
Peach and coconut cake looks delicious.

shalini

Finla said...

Asha the combination is great.
Well as you asked anyone want a slice I am in. Can i have 2, because there is someone else standing next to me and drooling with me.

Sig said...

Peach and coconut, oh wow, what a combo, I am drooling here...

bee said...

look yummy. coconut is a nice addition.

musical said...

Looks really yummy, Ashakka. And such a lovely combo!

FH said...

Hi Kay, glad I reminded you of this event, more Peaches are coming Mansi's way!:))

It did Padma. I always love dessert with lot less sugar!:))

Try it Sunita, it's easy too. Not much cake but more Peaches!:))

FH said...

Rina, thanks. Do try. You will have this in 2 hrs considering the Yeast rising time, enjoy!:)

Coconut makes everything yummy Richa!:))

Go ahead, make my day tbc!:D

FH said...

Thank you Shalini!:)

LOL! F, wish I could serve you both with a dollop of cream on top!

Sig, bake girl. I don't see you baking much, do I? This is easy peasy. Great with Strawberries too!:)

FH said...

Yes Bee, sweet coconut and tangy Peaches, great together!:))

Thanks Musie. Are you going to bake this or what?:D

Kribha said...

The combination sounds heavenly. Looks lovely as usual. Step by step pics are good. And, I'll take that slice for me. It's not enough, but I'll manage.

sra said...

Looks lovely, tho' I don't much like coconut in cake.

Apple said...

Yummy combo and that collage looks great Asha.... so rich n delicious Cake...Nice Entry

Manasi said...

Wow!! looks great! hmmm.. wonder how it will turn out with apple?

FH said...

Haha!! Kribha, one slice is not enough for me too!! Enjoy:))

sra, we get sweetened coconut here which has a great taste and very flavorful with sugar already added unlike fresh grated Coconut.Fresh coconut may not taste as good though, you have to add more sugar.I add sweetened coconut to most sweett I make!:D

FH said...

Thank you Apple. It was easy to make too, it just takes some time because we have let it rise for an hr. Try it!:))

Manasi, like Peach, Apples are also little tangy. So the cake will taste great with Apple too. Try it. Little crunch in the apple tastes good to than mushy Peaches!:))

Mansi said...

Asha, I have no words to say how delicious this looks...and if the pic is so inviting, I wonder how the cake would ahve tasted yaar...btw, I didn't get any cake...didn't u say u sent it to Me??? which address did you mail it to??:)D

Pravs said...

cake looks so delicious and beautiful. Coconut in the cake is a good one.

Rajitha said...

mm...yummy! i love the way you have arranged those photos..i have never been able to step-by-step directions...too lazy i spoze!

Tee said...

mmm...of course i want a slice! :) looks amazing!

Neelam said...

Ofcourse...I want a piece from that delicious looking cake!

TheCooker said...

Interesting combination! The cake looks really good.

Sona - quick picks/pick quicks said...

me ..mee...meee...Asha, a slice for me !!!..but, is there anything left behind by now?

Anonymous said...

looks so yummy Ashakka. Can I take a piece from it?

FH said...

Thank you Mansi. It's easy to bake, try it. I wish I could send you the whole cake but I sent you a photo and URL of virtual cake for your round up!:D

Thank you Pravs. Coconut makes everything taste good!:))

FH said...

Rajitha, collage is the easiest way instead of publishing multiple photos! Enjoy the cake:))

Take it away Tee, it's all your's!:D

You too grab one Neelam!!:)

FH said...

Tank you TC, enjoy and make it this weekend:))

LOL! Not really KS, it's all gone!!:D

Sure Lakshmi. Grab one or two slices if you can!:D

Bhawna said...

Asha, cake looks absolutely delicious.

Latha Narasimhan said...

Peaches are looking lovely! Your cake is nice too!:)) If I happen to get peaches, I would eat them as it is! :D

Suganya said...

Nobody could have done a better job in giving such a detailed description, Asha. I don't know how you find the patience to record each and every step :D... Not me! Smirking pumpkin looks awesome.

FH said...

Thank you Bhawna, hope you try girl!:))

Haha!! Latha, Me too!! Same with all the fruits in fact! But got to make something for these events, no choice!:D
Hope you do get some Peaches there, may be in Nilgiris. I don't remember seeing any Peaches when I was there!:))

FH said...

Suganya, I keep my camera on the kitchen counter and as I proceed with baking, I will take few pics of each step. No big deal.Then I have to choose a few, clean a bit and collage!! Done!!;D
I am a great organizer, comes naturally. Hope you bake this girl, any fruit will do. Enjoy!:)

Shella said...

Asha - the cake looks sumptous. Perfect!! Thanks for the recipe.

Latha Narasimhan said...

This comment is a for suganyas reply!:)) Asha dear anyone can make out how organised you are and how you blog passionately!:)) We get to know so much about the bloggers from their posts.
I have not included many names in my blogroll recently. I was just searching your blog. I thought I will cut and paste from your blog!:)) chumma joking!
See I have to peep into your blogs everyday!:))

FH said...

Thanks Shella. I saw your ginger bread too, looks yum!:))

Latha, peek all you want girl!:))
Yeah, I think you are like me too. You have managed home, kids, a hobby, and blog!! You are great at it as well. I just don't get tired, keep on doing something or the other unless I have severe flu!:D
So nice to see your son Latha, he loves birds. I read Lakhmi's and how you take him bird santuaries!:)
Got to take Tushar to Dentist today(braces) and Trisha's school for a meeting, busy day!:)

USHA said...

Hi Ashaji,


Cake looks awesome...wow i loved the colour alot...hmmm...appears juicy...tempts alor.

FH said...

Thank you Usha. With Peach slices in there, it is moist and juicy!:))

Mona said...

That looks so yummylicious. I love peaches & the orange cake ... well it takes the cake :D

FH said...

You know, you gave me an idea of Orange cake!!:D
Yeah, they are a great combo, tastes great!:))

KellytheCulinarian said...

What beautiful entries! I don't know if my breakfast spring rolls can compete with that.

FH said...

Thank you Kelly!
You have to got to enter your entry anyway, you never know! Participating is half the fun! Enjoy:))

Latha Narasimhan said...

Do try mysoorpak using the measurements in my recipe dear! In final stages watch for honey comb like formation. then your mysoor pak can never go wrong. Lakshmi says you are the best baker she has come across!:)) She has bookmarked many of your recipes to try. I too surely want to try your coconut stuffed buns. :))

FH said...

HeHe!! Lakshmi should buy a oven as soon as possible, or she will go crazy!:D
I will use the measurement exactly as you have written this time. Since we don't need that much of sweets, I will cut recipe in to half and do the as your's.Thanks for the trick,I hope I can do it on time. I still have make more ghee, I am almost running out.Tushar like to eat ghee with his dinner!:))
Still have time for Diwali, so no hurry. I just baked a cake for Halloween, a scary one!:D

Pooja Na(i)rayan said...

I read the recipe and u know what made me notice all the more. The way u said u added ur little touchL. I am bad follower of recipes. I am always tempted to add my touch and I believe my cooking unique because of that. Anyone who has courage to mess up what is right to make another right is my kinda gal. Will try this.

Grihini said...

Asha, u'll make me add on pounds by giving such lovely recipes.. :)

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Yes, please! And one for my husband too if you can spare it! ;)

FH said...

Mocha, you are right! It's always fun to add our own touch no matter how great the recipe is!:))
That's why I didn't use Baltimore in there!:

HeHe!! Thanks G! This doesn't have much butter or sugar, so you are fine with this bread!:))

Wish I could ship the whole thing for you Susan!!:)))

Anonymous said...

wonderful meme,ans i loved ur cake too.

FH said...

Thank you Ramya. Have a great weekend. Happy Dasara!:))

Julie said...

That looks so beautiful and delicious! I've never tried peach and coconut together, but I'd like to after reading this post.