Sunday, April 21, 2013

SRC: Nectarine and Blueberry Cake



It's Secret Recipe Club time once again.  And like every other month, I was assigned the BEST blog!  Cookin' with Moxie is written by Jamie.  She is an Italian girl living in Boston and loves to be surrounded by food, family and friends.  She has such a fun personality and really lets it show through her writing.  Her excitement about her recipes shows too.  I had a really hard time deciding what to post today partly because Jamie is so passionate about her recipes and life in general.

I actually made several recipes this month and they were all big hits with my family.  And at my house, that's saying a lot because no matter how hard I try to make my kiddos not be picky, they still are.  And if you ever hear me saying they aren't, then I'm lying.  So it was a real treat for my entire family to find a blog full of such great recipes.  I tried the Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy, and the Lemony Cucumber Salad both of which were delicious.  And still on my "must try" list are Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bars and Avocado Fries with Cilantro Citrus Dipping Sauce (goodness that sounds good, and avocados are on sale this week!).

For this month's SRC, I made Nectarine and Blueberry Cake.  I have been so anxious for spring and summer to finally get here it's ridiculous.  And I've been looking for lighter more summery (is that even a word?) recipes.  This cake really fit that bill.  Now I realize there isn't a decent nectarine to be found anywhere in the northern hemisphere right now, and we won't even talk about the state of fresh blueberries from the grocery store.  So I had to resort to frozen fruit.  Which actually turned out really well.  I can only imagine how much better this will be in July or August when fresh fruit is available.

This cake doesn't have much in the way of spices, but that is totally okay.  The flavor of even frozen fruit really shined.  Then add the cream cheese frosting and it was amazing.  Thank you Jamie for your awesome blog!  I had such a great time snooping around and I'm your newest follower.

Tutti Mangia!

Nectarine and Blueberry Cake
Serves about 12

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large nectarines, coarsely chopped  (You can use frozen fruit.  Only thaw partially before chopping and mixing into the batter)
2 cups fresh blueberries  (You can use frozen berries, do not thaw before adding to batter.)
Garnishes: sliced nectarines, fresh blueberries, lemon rind

Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until the yolk disappears. Add vanilla, beating just until blended.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat batter at low speed just until blended. Gently fold in nectarines and blueberries. Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.

Spread or pipe the Cream Cheese Frosting evenly on top of cake. Garnish, if desired.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
4-5 cups powdered sugar 3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternately with milk, beginning and ending with powdered sugar. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in grated lemon rind and vanilla.

20 comments:

  1. Oh, this is such a lovely, summery cake! I love Jamie's blog, great pick!

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  2. As it is winter here and these ingredients will be in season, I can try this delicious sounding recipe :)

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  3. Beautiful celebration of these fruits! Awesome cake!

    I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog and would love for you to be a part of it -
    http://www.myhobbielobbie.com/2013/04/a-few-of-my-favorite-things-and-giveaway.html

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  4. Mmmmm....this sounds so good! And nice to know it can be made with frozen fruit, too!

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  5. What an awesome combination! I can't wait to try it, it sounds wonderful!

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  6. Perfect for the summer! Sounds refreshing!

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  7. Tonni: this cake is looking moist and beyond delish!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  8. Mmm I can just imagine how delicious nectarines are in cake! This looks so absolutely delicious, I actually hopped over here last night at 2am to check it out when I saw it on the blog hop. Yum!!
    -Lacy @ NYCityEats

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  9. It certainly has a summery feel (whether that's a word or not). And cream cheese....yum!

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  10. Look delicious I love blueberries and peaches!

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  11. These looks delicious! I want this cake right now! And, the cream cheese frosting is just the icing on the cake...literally ;)

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  12. I love blueberries! Your cake looks moist and delish!

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  13. Yum! Great SRC post. I did a stone fruit/berry combo too this month.

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  14. Mmmm...any cake with cream cheese frosting has me hooked immediately. Love the incorporation of fruit with it.

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  15. You are amazing and I'm so glad you liked that cake - I might have to make it again as soon as summer hits!

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  16. You are amazing and I'm so glad you liked the cake - I'll have to make it again as soon as summer hits!

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  17. C'mon Summer! Looks great and glad to be in Group C with you :)

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  18. This cake gives me hope that summer will be here soon (although spring is dragging its feet getting to Philly right now :) Will look forward to making this when nectarines and blueberries are everywhere :)

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  19. dude - i love cake and fruit. guaranteed, i will mow it until it's gone. which is why i won't make it when i'm the only one home. haha...

    i have a ton of fruit in the freezer and am looking forward to when fresh come into season. putting this on the list :)

    Happy SRC reveal from a group C member!!

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  20. Hi Toni, today I'm collecting cake recipes. Please drop me a line on ca4ole@gmail.com if you are ok with me linking to your post in my blog (Carole's Chatter). Cheers

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