Name: The Lane Cake Recipe
Total time: 935 min
Ingredients: CAKE LAYERS:; 2 1/4 cups sugar; 1 1/4 cups butter [softened]; 8 large egg whites, at room temperature; 3 cups all-purpose soft-wheat flour (such as White Lily); 4 teaspoons baking powder; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; Shortening; PEACH FILLING:; Boiling water; 8 ounces dried peach halves; 1/2 cup butter [melted]; 1 cup sugar; 8 large egg yolks; 3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut; 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans; 1/2 cup bourbon; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; PEACH SCHNAPPS FROSTING:; 2 large egg whites; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 1/2 cup peach schnapps; 2 teaspoons light corn syrup; 1/8 teaspoon table salt

The Lane Cake Recipe

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More than 100 years ago, Emma Rylander Lane of Clayton, Alabama entered the annual baking competeition at the county fair in Columbus, Georgia. She took first prize. The cake came to be known as The Lane Cake, and gained literary fame in 1960 when it was featured in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. In March 1966, Southern Living featured the cake in its second issue. Here, it stands with a peachy makeover and an unforgettable meringue frosting.

By Southern Living Editors

Updated on April 4, 2018

Hands On Time:

1 hrs 30 mins

Total Time:

15 hrs 35 mins

Yield:

12 to 16 servings

Ingredients

CAKE LAYERS:
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups butter [softened]
8 large egg whites, at room temperature
3 cups all-purpose soft-wheat flour (such as White Lily)
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Shortening
PEACH FILLING:
Boiling water
8 ounces dried peach halves
1/2 cup butter [melted]
1 cup sugar
8 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/2 cup bourbon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
PEACH SCHNAPPS FROSTING:
2 large egg whites
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup peach schnapps
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon table salt

Directions

Prepare Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°. Beat first 2 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add 8 egg whites, 2 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift together flour and baking powder; gradually add to butter mixture alternately with 1 cup water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract. Spoon batter into 4 greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round shiny cake pans (about 1 3/4 cups batter in each pan).
Bake at 350° for 14 to 16 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).
Prepare Filling: Pour boiling water to cover over dried peach halves in a medium bowl; let stand 30 minutes. Drain well, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces. (After plumping and dicing, you should have about 2 cups peaches.)
Whisk together melted butter and next 2 ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, and stir in diced peaches, coconut, and next 3 ingredients. Cool completely (about 30 minutes).
Spread filling between cake layers (a little over 1 cup per layer). Cover cake with plastic wrap, and chill 12 hours.
Prepare Frosting: Pour water to a depth of 1 1/2 inches into a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk together 2 egg whites, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and next 3 ingredients in a heatproof bowl; place bowl over boiling water. Beat egg white mixture at medium-high speed with a handheld electric mixer 12 to 15 minutes or until stiff glossy peaks form and frosting is spreading consistency. Remove from heat, and spread immediately over top and sides of cake.