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Ina Garten Peach Almond Torte

Ina Garten Peach Almond Torte

A sophisticated, buttery cake with a moist, dense crumb infused with almond and vanilla. Topped with concentric circles of fresh, juicy peaches and toasted almond slices, it balances the sweetness of summer fruit with a delicate nutty finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (65°F / 18°C)
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar, divided
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt, room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/4 cup almond meal (finely ground almond flour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 medium peaches, blanched, peeled, and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, raw

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F / 177°C and position a rack in the center for even heat distribution. Grease a 6-inch springform pan with butter and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper to ensure the torte releases perfectly.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes. Continue until the mixture is pale yellow, light, and noticeably fluffy, which builds the aeration needed for a tender crumb.
  3. Lower the mixer speed to medium-low and add the egg, mixing until fully incorporated. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure no butter pockets remain unmixed.
  4. Add the room-temperature Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the bowl. Mix on low speed just until combined; the mixture may look slightly curdled at this stage due to the moisture content, which is normal.
  5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, almond meal, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Whisking ensures the leavening agent is distributed evenly and removes any lumps from the almond meal.
  6. With the mixer on the lowest setting, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix only until the flour streaks disappear to avoid overdeveloping the gluten, which would result in a tough, rubbery torte.
  7. Prepare the peaches by scoring a small ‘X’ on the bottom of each and submerging them in boiling water for 45 seconds. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath, after which the skins will slip off easily before you slice them into uniform wedges.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and smooth the surface with an offset spatula. Arrange the peach wedges on top of the batter in a circular pattern, pressing them down very slightly so they nestle into the cake.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and the 2 tablespoons of sliced almonds evenly over the top of the fruit. This sugar will macerate the peaches slightly during baking and create a crisp, shimmering crust.
  10. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should slightly pull away from the sides of the pan when it is fully baked.
  11. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for at least 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edge to loosen the cake before opening the springform ring, then allow it to cool completely before serving to let the crumb set.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place a slice in a 300°F / 150°C oven for 5-8 minutes to restore the buttery texture. This torte does not freeze well due to the high moisture content of the fresh peaches.

Nutrition

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