Snuffbox Peach and Lemon Cake

The Snuffbox Peach and Lemon Cake is a fresh and aromatic summer dessert. Snuffbox peaches are a rather sweet and juicy variety of peach that is well suited to pastry making. Here’s how you can prepare it:

Ingredients

• 150-200 g of sugar (depending on the sweetness of the peaches and personal taste)
• 200 g of type 00 flour
• 100 g of soft butter
• 3 eggs
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 sachet of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 3-4 snuffbox peaches, depending on the size
• Icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Wash and slice the peaches, removing the pit.
3. In a bowl, cream the soft butter with the sugar until you have a frothy mixture.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating well each time.
5. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, mixing gently.
6. Sift the flour with the baking powder and a pinch of salt, then add to the mixture, stirring until you have a smooth dough.
7. Butter and flour a cake pan, pour the dough into it and level it well.
8. Arrange the peach slices on the top of the cake, creating a pattern of your choice.
9. Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let the cake cool before dusting with icing sugar, if desired.

Curiosity

The snuffbox peaches owe their name to their flat shape, which recalls that of ancient tobacco boxes. They are highly appreciated in pastry making for their intense aroma and firm consistency even after cooking.

This cake pairs well with a sweet and sparkling wine, like Moscato d’Asti, which complements the sweetness of the fruit and the freshness of the lemon.