Grilled Peach Trifle with Lemon Buttermilk Cake

Layers of lemony sponge cake, a slight tang of buttermilk, with whipped cream, almonds and fresh grilled peaches! Wonderful flavours of summer!

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Baking time: 35 to 40 minutes

Cooling time: 2 hours

Grilling time: 4 to 6 minutes

Yield: 8 to 12 servings

Lemon Buttermilk Cake

1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar

½ cup (125 mL) butter, room temperature

1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla

2 eggs

1½ cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour

¼ tsp (1 mL) each, baking soda, baking powder and salt

6 tbsp (90 mL) buttermilk

1 lemon, zest finely grated and juiced (about 3 tbsp/45 mL)

Raspberry Syrup

2 cups (500 mL) frozen or fresh raspberries

½ cup (125 mL) each, granulated sugar and water

1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice

Almond Whipped Cream

1½ cups (375 mL) 35% whipping cream

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

¼ cup (60 mL) icing sugar

¾ tsp (3 mL) almond extract

½ tsp (2 mL) vanilla

4 to 6 freestone peaches, cut in half and pitted

1/3 cup (75 mL) toasted sliced almonds

Lemon Buttermilk Cake: Pre-heat oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly butter a 10-inch (25 cm) non- stick springform pan; line bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together sugar, butter and vanilla, until creamy and smooth. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time.

Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a small bowl. Reduce speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk until well mixed. Add lemon zest and juice; mix well.  Spread into the prepared pan; smooth top.

Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Carefully remove from pan and cool on rack completely.

Raspberry Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine raspberries, sugar, water and juice; bring to a simmer on high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes or until raspberries are completely broken down.  Strain through a fine meshed sieve, pressing on berries to extract juice. Discard seeds and refrigerate syrup to cool completely.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Place peaches cut side down on greased grill; grill covered for 3 to 4 minutes or until grill marks appear. Turn peaches over and grill 1 to 2 minutes longer. Cool to room temperature or up to 6 hours.

Almond Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, whip cream, icing sugar, and almond and vanilla extracts until stiff peaks form.

To assemble: On a serving platter, place cake. Cut a wafer thin horizontal slice off the top of the cake (and enjoy). Drizzle with ¾ cup (175 mL) of the raspberry syrup. Spread almond cream to the edges. Place grilled peach halves on top. Drizzle remaining raspberry syrup and sprinkle with almonds.  Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips: Prepare components of this recipe ahead and when ready to enjoy, whip cream and assemble.

The Lemon Buttermilk Cake keeps well for several days, wrapped well in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature or freeze for 3 to 4 weeks.

If fresh peaches are not available, substitute canned peach halves, well drained.

Nutritional Information

Per serving

Energy: 399 Calories

Protein: 5 g

Carbohydrate: 49 g

Fat: 21 g

Fibre: 2.9 g

Sodium: 101 mg

Top 5 nutrients provided by a serving of this recipe

Nutrient and % DV*

Calcium: 5% / 60 mg

Vitamin A: 21%

Folate: 20%

Vitamin E: 19%

Vitamin C: 19%

*Note: The daily value (DV) is established by Health Canada and corresponds to the daily quantity recommended for each nutrient. The percentage of the daily value (% DV) indicates the proportion of the nutrient provided by a serving of the recipe, in comparison with the quantity recommended.