
Brown sugar peach cake recipe
Hi everyone! It’s Sadia, and I’m posting one of my all-time favorite bakes — my brown sugar peach cake recipe. The first time I baked it: it was a sunny summer day, peaches were perfectly ripe, and the house smelled incredible. Sultan couldn’t help but steal bites right out of the pan! There’s something magical about a cake that tastes like sunshine on a plate. I’m so excited to pass this joy onto you!

Recipe Origin or Background
Peach cakes are old family traditions, especially below the Mason Dixon line where peaches are about to be gold. I used a classic Southern peach cake as my inspiration and gave it a twist by using brown sugar in place of white sugar. That one little substitution provides the caramelization depth and molasses kiss that makes this brown sugar peach cake recipe the best you’ll ever eat!
Why I Love This Recipe
Seriously, what’s not to love? It’s moist, packed with juicy peaches, and packed with deep warm brown sugar flavor. And it’s simple enough for a laid-back Sunday bake but elegant enough to wow at summer parties. The best part? It’s even better the next day (if it lasts that long!).
What Makes It Special
The trick is the brown sugar. It melts into the batter and gives you a tender crumb and some toffee flavor. And peaches caramelize ever so slightly when they’re baking, so you end up with tiny jammy pockets in each slice. It’s just gorgeous balance of sweet, fruity, and buttery — heaven on earth!
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9-inch square pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
Secret Tips to Make It Perfect
- Use ripe but firm peaches – too soft and they’ll turn mushy.
- Don’t overmix the batter – gentle folding keeps the cake fluffy.
- Line your pan with parchment – it guarantees easy release and no sticking.
- Sprinkle a little extra brown sugar on top before baking for a gorgeous, slightly crisp top layer!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using canned peaches without draining well– Excess liquid = soggy cake.
- Overbaking– Keep a close eye around the 35-minute mark; the center should be just set.
- Skipping the parchment paper– Trust me, it saves so much hassle!
Ingredient Swaps & Customizations
- Swap peaches for nectarines or plums if you like.
- Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch.
- Sprinkle cinnamon into the batter for cozy fall vibes.
- Make it dairy-free by using plant-based butter and milk!
(If you need help adjusting ingredients, my Recipe Converter tool can help too!)
FAQs
Can I use frozen peaches?
Yes! Thaw and pat them dry thoroughly to avoid extra moisture.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — it works beautifully.
How do I store this cake?
Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.
Can I double the recipe?
Sure can! Just bake in a 9×13-inch pan and adjust baking time (about 45–50 minutes).
Conclusion
If you’re craving something sweet, nostalgic, and loaded with fruity goodness, this brown sugar peach cake recipe is it. Whether you bake it for yourself, your family, or a gathering, I promise you’ll have people asking for the recipe. So grab those peaches while they’re perfect, and let’s get baking!
And hey — when you try it, come back and let me know how it turned out. Happy baking, friends!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Fruits
- 2 cups peeled and diced fresh peaches
Directions
- Prep Work
- Step 1Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients
- Step 2In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Wet Ingredients
- Step 3In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, beating well after each addition.
- Combine
- Step 4Add dry ingredients to the wet, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Gently fold in diced peaches.
- Bake
- Step 5Pour batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle a little extra brown sugar over the top. Bake for 32–38 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve
- Step 6Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!