Ingredients
2 3/4
cups all-purpose flour
1
teaspoon baking powder
1
teaspoon baking soda
1/2
teaspoon salt
2 1/2
cups peach slices (canned or frozen and thawed, drained, or fresh)
2/3
cup peach nectar or juice
2
teaspoons vanilla
1
teaspoon grated orange peel
1
cup butter, softened
3/4
cup granulated sugar
3
eggs
3
cups butter, softened
12
cups powdered sugar
6
tablespoons reserved peach puree
1 1/2
teaspoons vanilla
1
to 2 drops pink gel food color
1
to 2 drops orange gel food color
Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms and sides of 3 (8- or 9-inch) round pans with shortening; lightly flour. In medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. Place peach slices in blender container. Cover; blend about 30 seconds or until smooth. Pour 1 cup pureed peaches into small bowl; stir in peach nectar, 2 teaspoons vanilla and orange peel. Reserve remaining puree for frosting.
In large bowl, beat 1 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and peach mixture, about half at a time, beating just until blended. Pour 2 cups batter into each pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 40 minutes.
For filling, in large bowl, beat 1 cup of the butter with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Beat in 4 cups of the powdered sugar on low speed, 1 cup at a time, until smooth. Beat in 2 tablespoons reserved peach puree and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Place one cake layer on cake plate, top side up. Spread 2/3 cup filling over top. Top with second layer, top side down; spread with 2/3 cup filling. Top with remaining layer, top side up. Thinly frost side and top of cake with remaining filling; set aside.
In large bowl, beat remaining 2 cups butter with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Beat in remaining 8 cups powdered sugar on low, about 1 cup at a time. Beat in 4 tablespoons reserved peach puree, 1 teaspoon vanilla and food color until blended and desired peach color.
Fill decorating bag fitted with large open star tip (1/2-inch opening). Starting about 1 1/2 inches from bottom edge of cake, make center of rosette flower by squeezing frosting in a tight circle. Continue making concentric circles around center, to make flower about 3 inches in diameter. Make flowers to cover side of cake, staggering up and down around cake. Make flowers on top of cake and fill in open spaces with wavy lines.
