Recipe courtesy of Chef Michael Allemeier

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) 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
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.

Tip: This light and tangy lemon buttermilk cake is perfect for backyard barbecues – the cake can be made ahead of time and frozen, then topped with freshly grilled fruit when it's time for dessert.