Sunday, August 14, 2011

Peach Birthday Cake and a Blogiversary Giveaway!


This week, Espresso and Cream turns two! When I started this blog, I had very few expectations of what it would become and was excited when a few others besides my mom started reading my posts. Two years later, more people than I could imagine visit each day. You guys, the amazing readers of Espresso and Cream, knock my socks off with your comments, e-mails, and Twitter conversations.

So to say thank you for making this site what it is, I want to do a special birthday giveaway to one lucky reader! Since I've been posting so many ice cream recipes lately, I though it only appropriate to give away a KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment or a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker (the winner gets to choose which one they want). To enter, leave a comment below telling me your favorite type of ice cream between now and Tuesday, August 16, at 10 p.m. I will announce the winner on Wednesday morning.

Oh, and I also made you cake. An unbelievably moist, flavorful cake from Melissa Gray's charming cake cookbook, All Cakes Considered. Melissa, who is a bit of a cake-baking legend at National Public Radio where she works, stumbled upon this recipe for peach cake with cream cheese frosting in a local church cookbook. Yet another reminder of the culinary treasures that are right in front of us.

This little gem is incredibly simple and bursting with flavor, thanks to chopped canned peaches. Although fresh peaches are perfectly acceptable, Melissa notes that the canned variety yielded more favorable results. Since the dishwasher was full, I thought I would make this cake with a whisk and bowl instead of hauling out the mixer. Turns out, you can make this cake the old fashioned way just fine, too.

Joey and I have been gushing over this cake for the past two days. I actually think it might be getting better as the days go by, something that seems to happen with most fruit-based quick breads and cakes. Although I made the cake with three six-inch layer pans, the original recipe calls for a 10-inch tube pan, and I can imagine two 8-inch layers would be a suitable fit, too.

Peach Birthday Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe from All Cakes Considered

Ingredients
For the cake
*3 large eggs, beaten
*1 3/4 cups sugar
*1 cup vegetable oil
*2 cups all-purpose flour
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon baking soda
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*2 cups sliced peaches, preferably canned
*1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

For the frosting
*4 ounces cream cheese, softened
*4 tablespoons butter, softened
*1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*2 cups confectioners' sugar
*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions
*Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease three six inch round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
*In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the eggs, sugar and oil. Mix on medium speed until just blended. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt baking soda and cinnamon. Add to the egg mixture and beat until just combined. The batter will be sticky.
*With a spatula and/or wooden spoon, fold in the peaches and nuts.
*Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until the cake tests done.
*Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then unmold onto a cake rack. Allow to cool completely.

*Meanwhile, make the frosting. With the mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and cinnamon. Beat until smooth. Apply the frosting to the cooled cake.

Happy Baking!

Madison

147 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! My favorite ice cream is Banana Fosters. :)

Ninja Sandwich said...

Happy blog birthday! My favorite type of icecream is mint chocolate chip. I've tried eating other flavors, but I always wish that I had gone with the same old standby.

Janssen said...

Cinnamon Roll by Ben and Jerry makes me want to die of happiness.

Sarah said...

Happy blog anniversary! Coffee ice cream is the best!

That cake looks delicious!

Taylor said...

Happy Blogiversary!! I am a happy girl with any ice cream that involves peanut butter and chocolate!

Anonymous said...

mint chocolate chip
- amy marantino
tigger27_27 at hotmail dot com

Suzanne Himmler said...

Salted Caramel Gelato!

Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray said...

Yay, happy blog-birthday to you! Thanks for such a sweet giveaway. :)

I am a huge ice cream fan, so picking just one flavor is really, really hard! I think I'd have to say that Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream from Ben & Jerry's has stolen my heart right now--those fudge-covered cone pieces are just awesome. Mm!

Melissa said...

Cookies and cream, but if I had this ice cream maker I would make peanut butter cookies and cream.....and so much more!

Katie said...

Gotta go with cookie dough! Classic, delicious.

Sarah said...

Happy Blog Birthday!

I love me some ice cream! My favorite is Jeni's Queen City Cayenne (it's a spicy chocolate), with a close second being Graeters Black Raspberry Chip. Or, you know, plain old soft serve with sprinkles. I love it all.

Jeni's just came out with a new book! I can't wait to get it and make my own ice cream.

Anonymous said...

Happy blog birthday! My favorite ice cream is local and called 'Just Ask' -- white chocolate ice cream w/ peanut butter and oreo mixed in. Holy yum!

E said...

I love chocolate peanut butter! Happy blogversary!!!

Kate Titus said...

Ben & Jerry's Phish Food is amazing.

BP said...

Oooohhh! Favorite type of icecream is the one you enjoy with family and friends and eat on a warm (not sizzling) summer day. Thank you so much, and happy blogversary!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Happy Blog Birthday! My favorite ice cream is mocha chocolate chip. SO GOOD.

lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

Brindi said...

Happy Anniversary! yay!!!! my favorite ice cream is Elvis (peanut butter and banana).

Marilyn said...

Happy Birthday!

Wow! This is an incredible birthday give-away. Shouldn't we be giving Espresso and Cream a gift instead of you giving us a gift?

I love Blue Bunny (of course) Bunny Tracks!

Anonymous said...

Chocolate peanut butter

kayla said...

congratulations on an amazing blog! although seasonal, my favorite ice cream flavor is pumpkin!

rachbarnes said...

Chocolate peanut butter! Congrats on your blogiversary! Your blog gives me inspiration to be a better blogger!

Terri said...

Ok, I am going to be boring here, but I just love vanilla ice cream... and when I was a little girl my Grandma would put canned cherry pie filling on top. It was delicious!! Also the convenience store in Beresford, SD has the best vanilla soft serve ever!

kristen said...

Happy Blog Birthday!

My favorite ice cream is Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby!! :]

WendyinKK said...

My favourite is an old fashioned local favourite,
Sweetcorn sherbet :)

Ginger said...

My favourite is Chunky Monkey (but not specifically the B&J stuff). I LOVE bananas in things, and throw in some crunchy walnuts and rich dark chocolate bits.... heaven!

Tammy Burks said...

My favorite is my homemade cream cheese ice cream http://skiptomyewe.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-homemade-ice-cream.html

Melissa @IWasBornToCook said...

Congratulations! CAke batter is definitely one of my favorites!

Meg said...

My favorite type of ice cream is definitely cookie dough! Delicious!

Unknown said...

My current favourite is cinnamon ice cream. Though I'm fickle and it will change tomorrow. :o)

amanda mac said...

Strawberry has always been a favorite... but Oreo is a very close second :)

Congrats on your blogiversary!

Sonnet said...

Congrats on the anniversary and amazing blog! I'd have to say strawberry basil is my fave, followed closely by salted caramel!

Krisla said...

pralines and cream! also any other flavor:)

Anonymous said...

I love pumpkin ice cream from a local farm, but I think my absolute favorite would be a combination of creamy black raspberry ice cream swirled with goat cheese and with soft brownie chunks as well. YUM :)
~Alexandra aderosa@charter.net

Lauren at Keep It Sweet said...

I need to make this cake immediately! The other day I had the most unbelievable oreo peanut butter ice cream and I was in love.

Abby said...

congrats! and i love chocolate hazelnut ice cream...tastes just like nutella!

Laura said...

Congratulations! I will have to go with Peanut Butter Chocolate ice cream.

Laura said...

I was the above post (peanut butter chocolate) but I realized I typed the wrong Url. Oops! Please delete above comment. :)

Hooi Soon (@MemoriesTChest) said...

My favourite is green tea ice cream!

Meagan said...

Rocky Road is my favorite ice cream :)

The Blue-Eyed Bakers said...

HURRAH! Happy bday blog! We'd of course adore that amazing prize...so we can make as much homemade snickers ice cream as humanly possible!

Randi Lynne said...

Coffee toffee!!!

Ali A. said...

I am pretty traditional and love good ole vanilla. The toppings are what spice it up and change with my mood.

Kelsey said...

Coffee ice cream with chocolate chips!

Lisa said...

Heaps of Love! Which is vanilla with brownie bits, cookie dough bits, caramel, pretzels, and walnuts.

Christine Roberts said...

homemade any flavor! but the best ice cream i've ever had was homemade vanilla served with warm, fresh homemade apple pie. An elderly gentlemen who was a friend of my parents made it for me and my siblings when we were little. we felt so special, and it was delicious! i will never forget it!

Andrea said...

I love white turtle, which is white chocolate ice cream with pecans and caramel. so tasty!

Megan H said...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough!

Michelle said...

Depends on my mood, but I've been loving honey lavender ice cream lately.

Rachel M. said...

Happy Blogiversary!

So excited about this giveaway!

Anywho, I love cookies and cream or mint chocolate chip. Yum!

Taran said...

ooooo do I love ice cream!!!!!

I put a clasic spin on cookie do and go with Chocolate ice cream with cookie dough!! Delicious!

Happy 2nd Birthday Espresso and Cream!

Anonymous said...

Definitely mint chocolate chip!!

Stacey said...

Congrats on the success of your blog! I wish you many more years to come :) My favorite ice cream would definitely have to be Caribou Coffee Java Chunk by Kemps.

Cindy @The Flipping Couple said...

Happy blogiversary! My favorite kind of coffee....probably a toss up between coffee and cookies n' cream. I should probably try making my own and mixing them for a little piece of heaven on earth. : )

Jamie said...

Hi! Happy blogiversary- I love strawberry ice cream yumm!!

The Swinger Days said...

Mint Chip (Blue Bunny brand of course)

Susan said...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Jessica said...

Mint chocolate chip!

Ashton said...

Mmmm, nothing is better than homemade peach ice cream!

Joanna said...

YUM! Normally I would say chocolate ice cream with chocolate chunks and hot fudge sauce on top (what? I like chocolate!) but lately I've been craving fresh peach ice cream.

Happy two years!

Andrea said...

Happy blogiversary! Any ice cream with chocolate is good in my book!

Ashley said...

I love mint chocolate chip ice cream.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Lisa E said...

Coffee Ice Cream!

Lily said...

I've always wanted to make homemade ice cream, but all the recipes require an ice cream maker!

My favorite ice cream would have to be cookies and cream!

Tiffany G said...

My favorite is Coffee Ice Cream with heath bits!

Jessica said...

So exciting! My 30th birthday is on Saturday and my mom got me a KitchenAid mixer as my gift and I'd love this attachment!! My favorite is mint chocolate chip!

em culver said...

oh i've always wanted to treat myself to one of these! my favorite ice cream would have to be graeter's (in cincinnati, ohio) chocolate chocolate chip!

Teresa said...

My absolute favorite flavor of ice cream is Half Baked by Ben and Jerrys! So good!

jpetroroy said...

I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream :)

Kristin said...

My favorites are coffee and mint chip. However, my new other half doesn't like either very much so I'll have to say plain vanilla topped with with a little peanut butter. :-)

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! I am dying to own an ice cream maker - I mean, I live in Florida! :) My first flavor to try out would be Chocolate Peanut Butter. Heavenly!

Anonymous said...

I love coffee ice cream and now that I'm pregnant and it's summertime, I just can't seem to get enough!

mbmckelvey@gmail.com

Esther said...

That cake looks delicious! Happy Blogiversary!! My favorite ice cream is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia.

fawnfatale said...

A very happy blogiversary to you! I so enjoy your blog and I'm so happy that I stumbled upon it; it's so inspiring.

I would have to say that Grasshopper Pie ice cream is the tastes and most wonderful treat on a hot summer day. Mint goat-milk ice cream with Oreo and Double Chocolate Milano pieces: absolute heaven. Plus, it's super fun to make :)

Shannon said...

Strawberry icecream with fresh strawberries! Delish! Happy Blogiversary!!!!

Sondra Frank said...

Lately I've been into Amy's Red Velvet Cake by Stone Ridge Creamery. It has cream cheese frosting swirls, yum-o!

Heather said...

My current favorites are blueberry cheesecake and salted caramel gelato!

Laura said...

I honestly can't think of an ice cream I don't like. Butter pecan is my favorite though!

Jenna Z said...

Wow, I just made ice cream yesterday!! And it was so tasty. It consisted of 1 1/2 scoops chocolate whey protein powder, 1 cup skim milk and 1 Tbsp peanut butter, blended in the blender and then popped into the ice cream maker. SO GOOD!

Jordan said...

Happy blog birthday! My favorite ice cream is definitely salted caramel - yum!

Kelly said...

Happy blog bday! My favorite ice cream is anything drowning in chocolate!!!

stephreyn85 said...

Speaking of peaches, I love the homemade peach ice cream my best friend's mom makes...it was my favorite in high school and when I visit home she always has a gallon ready for me!!

Emily said...

Happy Anniversary! I just finished eating a bowl of Cookies and Cream ice cream... definitely my favorite! :)

Kristel said...

Happy Anniversary! My favorite kind of ice creams is one I just had on a trip to Utah- Moab Mub which I'd like to try and recreate if said ice cream maker makes it to my kitchen :)

Anonymous said...

My favorite kind of ice cream is cookies and cream, and I would looooove to make it at home. Thanks, Madison!

Ashli said...

My favorite ice cream is Mexican Chocolate! I've only found it in one creamery in San Francisco but it's worth the visit.

Amy @ Elephant Eats said...

My favorite ice cream flavor is Chocolate Peanut Butter (in particular the one from Baskin Robbins!). Rich chocolate ice cream with giant hunks of peanut butter...YUM!

Bebe said...

My favorite ice cream is Graeters Coconut Chocolate Chip...so good!

sue said...

Mint Oreo Cookie!

Amanda O. said...

Happy Anniversary Espresso and Cream! Oh, and I LOVE homemade strawberry ice cream.

Anonymous said...

hAppY twO yEarS! My favorite...Dairy Dandy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cyclone- with real cookie dough! Y.U.M! :)

Heather said...

Just got back from Italy and my new favorite is Ferraro Rocher gelato. I miss it so much!

Carla RC said...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough! Yum!!

Anonymous said...

Graeters' Mocha Chocolate Chip ice cream is my favorite! Though I do love just about any coffee ice cream :)

mb said...

Definitely Rocky Road!

Happy blogiversary! What a delicious cake to celebrate with. :)

Natalie said...

if i win this giveaway can you just send me that CAKE? holy delicious! i can't get enough of peaches lately...we made peach cobbler last night and next time i must try this!

congrats on the blogiversary--i absolutely love espresso and cream!

natalie b said...

happy anniversary!! strawberry :)

Neena said...

Happy two years! I love chocolate ice cream best of all!

Jenny said...

happy blogiversary! gotta say my fave is dark chocolate :)

Suzeq22knits said...

Kemps Chocolate and Marshmallow! It reminds me of being a kid! Happy Blogiversary!

Liz said...

Mine is definitely chocolate! Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary!

I make a strawberry creme fraiche ice cream that is out of this world! That one is my favorite with lots of other flavor following closely behind!

Aili said...

Chocolate Peanut Butter!!

SarahErickson said...

Kurt and I made mint Oreo ice cream and loved it!

Chelsy Ethridge said...

My favorite ice cream is Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla, I add fresh raspberries, walnuts, and a little bit of milk to make it icy! MANGIA!

Brandy said...

Heavenly Hash from Publix is my favorite! Yum
Happy Two year Blogiversary :)

helen said...

Oh Happy Birthday to Espresso & Cream :)

My favorite ice cream would have to be mint chocolate chip, although coffee is a very close second!

AuntieSaucey said...

Starbucks Coffee Almond Fudge, but sadly, it has been discontinued. :) Maybe if I had my own ice cream maker.... ;) The thing that sets it apart from other Coffee Almond Fudge ice creams was that it had CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS! YUM!!! :)

P.S. LOVE your blog. I also got married this summer <3

Lynette said...

I love soft serve ice cream with hot fudge topping & peanuts. Happy 2nd Blogiversary!! Lynette

Brittany said...

I'm a southern girl, so it can't get much better than Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla!

Alex Meyer said...

Happy Blogiversary! Ben & Jerry's Half Baked Frozen Yogurt is SO GOOD. My fav, for sure!

Unknown said...

Raspberry chocolate chip from Sebastian Joe's!!

Suze said...

I have to stick with good old cookies and cream. If I'm feeling super frisky that day I made add sprinkles...

Rose said...

Congrats! Cherry and dark chocolate are to DIE for!!

Pam said...

Congrats on turning two!!! My favorite ice cream is cantaloupe!!! So creamy and sweet!

Kate R said...

Happy Blogiversary! I think my new favorite is Orange ice cream w/ dark chocolate chips-

Jessica Darling said...

I LOVE reading your blog! Congrats!

My current favorite flavor is Ciao Bella's Blood Orange Sorbet mixed with a little bit of their Belgian Chocolate Gelato! LOVE!

Ever since you started posting about your KitchenAid attachment I've been SO tempted to buy one for myself! You're a trendsetter!

Taylor said...

Happy Happy! My current frozen obsession is dark chocolate ice cream with sea salt and caramel swirl. Yum!

Missy Hofmeyer said...

Congrats on 2 years of your blog!! I have enjoyed reading it for over a year now! I have many favorite ice creams, but try to indulge too much! I do love Pecan Praline.

Jenny V said...

OH...EMMM..GEEE I love me some ice cream these days! being pregnant has made me want some every single day! My favorite is Strawberry!

Simone said...

Congrats on your blogiversary! It sounds a bit dull, but I can't live without vanilla!

Rebecca said...

Congratulations on the anniversary, I always get coffee with chocolate sprinkles!

MR said...

Reese's Cream! And congrats!

Colleen @ Miss Petite Sweets said...

Happy Blogiversary! You blog was one of the first ones I started reading every day :) And there is no better ice cream than chocolate chip cookie dough

Lauren said...

Anything with Chocolate!

Anonymous said...

cinnamon ice cream for sure!!


blueblanket@hotmail.com

Beckyb said...

What a fun giveaway - one our family would LOVE!!! :) Our favorite ice cream is vanilla - I think we need to break out a bit!!

Have a fun celebrating that blogiversary!! We are glad you are here since we LOVE your recipes!

Courtney Hughes said...

My favorite ice cream is Ben and Jerry's Half Baked......wow. Amazing.

Jenny Olson said...

Happy Anniversary Madison! My favorite is Pistachio! :)Yum!!

Angela Bomgaars said...

My favorite ice cream is the homemade vanilla ice cream we make at the Bomgaars family Christmas :)

Emily B. said...

This is definitely a tough one! I would probably have to say homemade vanilla ice cream is my favorite...on top of a warm gooey brownie! :) Congrats on two years, I enjoy reading your blog!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! So glad for your blog. Favorite ice cream would be a toss up between mint chocolate chip or cake batter...but in all seriousness- I'm not sure you can go wrong with the stuff!

Melissa (misslissy@aol.com) said...

Happy Anniversary! So glad for your blog. Favorite ice cream would be a toss up between mint chocolate chip or cake batter...but in all seriousness- I'm not sure you can go wrong with the stuff!

Jane said...

Love your blog! As for ice cream....I'm pretty plain. I love black raspberry or vanilla soft serve.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Since I was a little girl turning the crank on the icecream machine, my favorite type of icecream has always been homemade! The best flavor is always vanilla that way you can add whatever you want to make it a delicious treat for that moment, and everyone enjoying it can have their favorite too! Lisa

Diane said...

I LOVE your blog! Happy Blogiversary! I love vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries on top....mmmmm! ~Diane T.

Brynn said...

Hap-Hap-Happy Blogiversary! Favorite type of ice cream... um... all of them! My dad used to make homemade ice cream when I was a kid and the best was Strawberry... but I've got a couple new favorites as well. Central Market (in Texas) makes a Horchata flavored gelato that is pretty much amazing... and in this ridiculous heat... totally hits the spot! Overall... I can't turn down a Whitey's chocolate malt (located in the Quad Cities). So simple, so delicious!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! Picking a favorite ice cream is so hard - I love almost all of them! I think my favorite is strawberry cheesecake.
Jill Ritz

Kristen @ Chocolate Covered Kristen said...

Happy Blog Bday! I don't think I can pick a true favorite, but I love a really good quality Coffee or Vanilla that I can jazz up with toppings :-)

Misty said...

My favorite ice cream flavor of all time is cinnamon!

Angela said...

Happy blogiversary! You deserve a fantastic day. It's hard to decide....but totally mint chocolate chip. It's the perfect combo!

LauraC said...

Congratulations on such a great blog! I love reading it and trying out the recipes :) There is a local ice cream shop that makes almond joy ice cream - it's delicious!

Amy G. said...

I've loved Salted Caramel Ice cream this summer! Fun fact - don't melt caramel candies and then pour the caramel over ice cream- it will harden almost immediately and ruin everything!

Beth said...

Congratulations!! My favorite ice cream is coffee oreo or anything with peanut butter and chocolate!

Katie said...

I just found your blog today, and it's awesome! My favorite kind of ice cream is vanilla- it's so versatile!

Kelly said...

My favorite is Homemade vanilla with Crushed Oreo's mixed in!

Ashley said...

Thank you for two years of wonderful reading! I always enjoy your posts...trying new recipes is one of my favorite hobbies! I don't believe I've ever met an ice cream I didn't like, but my favorite would probably be oatmeal cookie batter with dark chocolate pieces. Mmmm... :D

Amanda Thompson said...

Happy 2nd Blogiversary!! My favorite ice cream is Coffee Chip!

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