Every year I buy Mr NQN a fruit basket for Christmas. It’s always the fruit that he never buys himself and when I went on a shopping expedition for this year’s basket I came across these donut peaches. I had heard about this gorgeous breed, originally from China that was sweeter and juicier than regular peaches and with a much smaller, easy to remove seed. These white peaches looked good and when I asked if they were sweet, they cut off a slice for me. I tasted it and it was incredibly sweet and juicy and peachy I was convinced that they’d given me a peach soaked in syrup.
I greedily bought a bag of them and took them home intending to give them to Mr NQN on Christmas Day but in my excitement I couldn’t help telling him about them. It went something like this:
NQN: “Do you want your present now?”
Mr NQN: “No, not really.”
NQN: “But aren’t you curious about what fruit is in your fruit basket?”
Mr NQN: “No, not really”
NQN: “Why not?”
Mr NQN: “Because it’s a Christmas present”
NQN: “Yes but it’s almost Christmas”
Mr NQN: “It’s Christmas tomorrow”
NQN: (blurts out) “Well… I bought you some donut peaches!”
You see I couldn’t really contain myself as I do sometimes get excited around food that’s particularly exciting so I ruined the surprise (although I am a very good secret keeper I promise). I decided that they were just too pretty not to blog about so I sought inspiration in my fridge. I had 3/4 of a 250g tub of sour cream that needed to be used and the friendly people at Breville had given me their latest mixer, a Breville Professional BEM800 Wizz Planetary mixer so I decided to kill two birds by making a cupcake using sour cream. I decided to base the cupcake itself on the Jam Donut cupcakes I had made earlier this year just to upp the donut content so that it wasn’t just the peach that was donutty.
Oooh purrty!
What was a complete bonus was the fascination Mr NQN had with the new piece of machinery. For starters, he liked the look of it in all industrial stainless steel (perhaps my Pink Kitchenaid frightened him off with the colour). He was interested in the “planetary mixing action” which he wanted to see in action. Comparing the two I saw there were a lot more features like a count down and count up timer which is very useful, pause and a temperature overload cut off. There were also 4 speed settings depending on how much mixing you want to do: aerating/whipping; creaming/beating; light mixing and folding/kneading. It came with the same heads as the Kitchenaid and Breville had also given me a head much like my much used Beaterblade and an ultra flexible clear spatula..
A Christmas present from Mr NQN, Babushka measuring cups
I gave him all the mixing duties as that was the only thing he was interested in and we made the Sour Cream & Donut Peach Cupcakes. It was easy to use and seemed sturdier than my Kitchenaid. We both thought that they had taken the Kitchenaid and seen where it needed improving and made the necessary changes to give it more features and a more solid look although the mixer itself is lighter. Mr NQN’s only complaint? The mixing was over before he knew it and in truth the recipe below doesn’t really even need a mixer, it was just the excitement of using a new toy. We also both thought that the tilt head button wasn’t quite as intuitive or easy to maneuveur as the Kitchenaid although once you get the hang on of it it’s easy and works well, it’s more with the first use (and I never read manuals). Could I finally be in a his and hers mixer situation? Would I prefer the Breville to the Kitchenaid? Only time can tell…
The cupcake was lovely and soft inside courtesy of the sweet peach and sour cream. I dusted it with icing sugar but of course if you really want to carry through the donut experience, you could use regular white sugar mixed with cinnamon stuck on with a light brushing of peach jam.
So tell me Dear Reader, how do you get your significant other to cook in the kitchen?
Sour Cream & Donut Peach Cupcakes
Makes 10
Ingredients
- 300g (2 cups) self-raising flour
- 3/4 cup caster sugar
- 80ml (1/3 cup) vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 175ml/6 fl oz sour cream
- 2-3 donut peaches, diced
- 2 tablespoons icing sugar
- a little ground cinnamon to shake on top
- 1/2 donut peach sliced to decorate
- 1/3 cup milk
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a cupcake tray.
2. Sift the flour into a medium bowl, then add a pinch of salt and the caster sugar. In a jug, combine the vegetable oil, egg, sour cream, milk and whisk. Add the wet mixture and the peach pieces to the dry mixture and stir to only just combine. It will be thick and puffy so you will need to spoon it into the cases. Fill until 3/4 full or 7/8 full. I realise it sounds bizarre but I asked Mr NQN to fill it 7/8 full which was perfect for the domed look.
See the teeny pip-easy to remove too 
3. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
My beloved Glinda LG oven
4. Sift icing sugar on top and shake a little ground cinnamon. Top with some pieces of fresh peach if desired.
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66 Comments | Add your own
ooooooooohhhh!! m loving those pretty donut peach cup cakes!!! giving a fruit basket as a Christmas present is a great idea!! hehe i should try giving it next time
rili the peaches look juicy and delicious!! m loving the gorgeous pictures!!
Donut peaches are just about the most adorable thing ever (and so delicious!). Your cupcakes sound like the perfect use for them! Haha, I love your conversation with Mr NQN about his gift, I tend to get a little over-zealous and excited myself (lol, I can’t keep a gift secret to save my life!). I hope you and Mr NQN had a fabulous Christmas, Lorraine!
PS I absolutely LOVE the babushka measuring cups!
HOw lovely. I’ve seen those peaches before in my travels but can’t remember where. Well, here in England they are no longer in season, but next time i see them, I’m going to snap them up.
I do the same exact thing with MrP. when it comes to presents. I just get to excited to keep stuff to myself.
Gorgeous cupcakes, yummy!
*kisses* HH
Oven & mixer envy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohhh the cupcakes look so good – seems perfect for breakfast or snacking.
those look lovely. i’ve never heard of those type of peaches before. I’m very intrigued to try them though. o__o;
My significant other learned how to make jelly for the first time this Christmas, so I’m having to take the slow and gentle approach. On the other hand, he’s delighted jelly is so easy and now wants to make it all the time.
They look so delicious! Love the presentation, lush!
Wow, I’d forgotten about the jam donut muffins – I made those a few times they were so gorgeous. These look really nice too, and I’ve heard good things about these donut peaches. HMMM yum.
Nice cupcakes, gorgeous mixer and pretty cups!
Cheers,
Rosa
I love peaches! What a fabulous recipe. And your photos are beautiful!
(great measuring cups!)
Lorraine, I love those little fruits. So gorgeous. Peaches are my favourites and I would adore biting into something as sweet as these sound. I like the idea of the cupcakes you made. I don’t bake with fruit enough. It’s terrible.
How do I get my significant other to cook in the kitchen? Easy. I simply stand near the entrance, and like an usher in a theatre, dip my back down slightly, and move my arm out to the side, to indicate the way. Seriously, I got kicked out of my own kitchen early in the relationship. Mr Mélanger is a superb cook. I tried signing him up for the first Master Chef but he wasn’t having a bar of it. Mum calls him Jamie Oliver. Big downside though. Major waistline issues!
“regular white sugar mixed with cinnamon stuck on with a light brushing of peach jam…”
um, yes please! that’d just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back…but in a good way.
Oh, I love this. And I happen to have sour cream and peaches (admittedly not donut peaches!) at the moment, hehe.
R always cooks when I’m on call, as it’s way too late for me to do it by the time I get home. It’s so nice to come home to ready cooked food!
Significant other to cook in the kitchen? No, no, I don’t understand the question at all. I’d be lucky if he knew where the kitchen was.
I’m loving the new mixer. So bright and shiny and even a beater blade – impressive! Do you know if it’s available in the US? The cupcakes look so pretty and scrumptious in their little box! I’m going to have to try a donut peach!
My hubs will often help in the kitchen with chopping vegetables and cleaning and trimming of meats – both chores I’m happy to delegate. xoxo Mum
Love those measuring cups. Donut peaches at this time of year..I’m jealous, although I’m sure your muffins are beautiful tasting, a fresh piece of stone fruit in our winter sounds divine.
Look forward to seeing you for another year of blogging.
Oooh I think I will make these. If I can find some donut peaches. Will have to look around the Vic Markets I think. Yum!
I’m not sure what I like better – the cupcakes or the Breville mixer…!!
Hi, Just wondering were you buy donut peaches?
Bob
Fell in love with these peaches whilst in LA in July!! They are delicious!!!
Hey you… The measuring cups are just adorable.. WOW. And the deconstructed doughnut.. you know how to bring it up a few notches. Well done on the MIXER!!!
these little cakes look delish- and my other half does cook sometimes but generally only when he has to.
Just wondering- I am looking for a new mixer and would appreciate your advise- which would be your preference- I loved my Sunbeam as it had 10 different speeds and stated what they could be used for and I could adjust it to whatever I was making but it died just before Christmas after 32 years and I need a replacement. any help would be appreciated thanks.
These donut cupcakes look scrumptious! love the m-cups..heheh..i got a set for x’mas too!
as to how I get my significant other into the kitchen, well, i actually don’t need to do a whole lot, as long as I take care of the cooking, he’s more than happy to do the cleaning up.
love the babushka measuring cups – but I have trouble baking with peaches because I always want to just eat them fresh – although I love the pairing of sour cream with the peaches if I get myself organised to bake with them
These look amazing! I will definitely need to give them a try next time I see donut peaches at the store.
I’ve only ever had doughnut peaches in Xinjiang, so it’s exciting to hear they’re available here. I love your babushka measures!
Donut peaches. Ive never heard of them before. They look like peaches that someone accidentally sat on ehehe. Those cupcakes look yummy. Oh and that new mixer. Its Purrty indeed. You are so lucky. I wish someone would give me a mixer.
would love to see your thoughts on how the Breville stacks up against Kitchenaid in the long run. I also like those Babushka measuring cups, so cute! My husband’s a specialist; only bakes sweet things and will only do mains if it’s already prepped. I tell him he cooks like a tv chef.
Those peaches look delicious, and so do the muffins. (7/8 full I’ll remember that!) I’m going to try this recipe with nectarines as I haven’t seen the donut peaches around.
I get my husband to cook by not being in the house at dinner time, or by buying steak which he loves to cook on the barbecue! Otherwise it’s all up to me…
My boyfriend got me those measuring cups for christmas too! They’re soo cute!
donut peaches! o my…i’m picturing myself taking a big bite off that donut peach & feeling the juice ooze out & possibly a little trickling down the sides of my mouth! so wanna try that donut peach muffin…
the only time bf’ll help me out in the kitchen is when he feels like he has THE mood to do so…or when we have an argument & i totally ignore him. haha~~ otherwise, he’s just lazy cos he’s got sum1 to settle everyting for him.
Those cupcakes are too cute! I’m yet to find my significant other, but I’ve already decided that, when I do, our relationship shall be predicated on me cooking and him giving back massages….
I saw these squashed-looking peaches a couple of weeks ago but there was no accompanying description of what variant they were. Thanks for clearing it up for me, AND they look delicious!
I remember seeing these donut peaches but I think it was when I was in Europe! I used to gorge myself on the fruit there during summer…. I hope I’ll find these here (Melbourne) as well.
I got the m-cups for Christmas too. Other half is part Russian so we have a lot of babushkas around the place. Your mixer is heavenly!
Think I will try and make these this week!
x
Hi Lorraine! Thanks a bunch for the holiday wishes
I hope you and your family had a wonderful xmas!!
Just got those cups too! BF said, why do you need more measuring cups? Because they’re cute and I use them all!
Those peaches sound amazing! I had some strawberries recently I thought were also soaked in syrup.
I have those measuring cups too! too cute =)
And life would truly suck without the beater blade attachment, so I’m glad Breville have got one too.
looks so cute n pretty!!
I wish I could taste these; they sound so delicious! I am going to go see if the greengrocer down the street knows about them! I have only seen mangoes imported from Australia; the cupcakes are so lovely.
What delicious looking cupcakes! Lucky Mr NQN. Hope you had a great Xmas, and all the best for 2010.
You’re so funny! I’m the same, sometimes when I get really excited about a surprise I can’t contain it. You just want to see their reactions NOW!
The new toy looks fantastic! And what a wonderful way to get baking together. So will these donut cupcakes hit the stores anytime soon you think?
Mmm… these look great, Lorraine! Donut (or Saturn) peaches are one of my favourite fruits. Lucas especially likes them as they’re easy for kids to hold and are, as you say, syrup sweet.
(And I’m v.impressed at how shiny and clean you’ve kept your oven!! I wish mine looked like that
)
Ooh very nice mixer! I’m in the market for one myself but hints to the Co-pilot aren’t being heeded. Those donut peaches & the cupcakes look great – I’ve only ever had those peaches dried (and boy are they wall climbingly super sweet!).
your new Breville mixer looks soo pretty toooo omg!
But just yesterday I saw the KitchenAid Artisan Mixer in a few colours, and I just fell in love with it..
Still waiting on the results of winning the Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer and Nigella Lawson: How to be a Domestic Goddess Contest..OMG..I’m wishing to be the winner of it so very much..
Happy New Year Lorraine!
Ooh, this post has everything good – cute fruit, a new mixer, babushka cups… *swoon!*
I have to ask – is the Breville mixer smaller than the Kitchenaid? I love its silvery looks.
My hubby is quite good in the kitchen and we tag-team alot though these days I’m the cook 90% of the time. He will usually use a recipe of mine (the blog is SO useful for that!
)
Glad to see you had a lovely Christmas
I actually got the matryoshka measuring cups for Christmas too (from my cousins!) aren’t they CUUTTTE?
wow these look so nice and i bet they taste delicious. ha you really made me laugh with your description of the surprise fruit basket
Oh, how fun! Donut peaches are adorable, and these cupcakes sound ideal! I don’t have any sort of stand mixer, but once you’ve made up your mind, I’d love to know which you prefer =D.
Hm, I think I saw one of those mixers recently. I like my trusty Kitchenaid
Those cupcakes look delicious! Stop tempting me with peaches – they’re another six months away for me!
They look yummy!!!! I will definately have to keep a eye out for those peaches.
Where did Mr NQN get those Babushka measuring cups??? I have to have some.
Yum, these cupcakes look so good. I’ve never heard of donut peaches, will keep an eye out for them.
Oh, I love the donut peaches – first came across them a few years ago and while the season for them seems to be pretty short they are so worth seeking out!
Where did your hubby get the lovely Babushka measuring cups? I am feeling an unecessary kitchen purchase coming on…
The cupcakes look wonderful, and what a lovely husband you have, NQN!
they look gorgeous lorraine, and the mixer – looks affordable>> (compared to a kithen aid??)
richard usually helps with settng up or mixing, sometimes he does the cooking i guess we both do bits & pieces but most of the time i want to do it myself cos i doubt his ability to… haha
Beautiful. I’ll keep my eyes open for these pretty little peaches.
I spotted those measuring cups a month or two ago, and wanted to get some (because, you know, I don’t have enough measuring cups already) but the man in the shop couldn’t tell me if they were Australian measures or not. He laughed when I asked, thinking I was being silly… he must not be a baker
They look so luscious & so lovely, Lorraine!!
I so love these flatter peaches,..MMMMMM!! I also love your lovely Babushka measuring cups,..;so apart!
Donut peaches are my current favourite thing too. Love the sound of these cupcakes!
Gosh. Cuteness to the max! Not just the donuts but the both of you. I love it when Mister helps in the kitchen as well!
Hi nora-Thankyou! He loves getting one every year so I call him a fruit bat
Thanks so much! 
Hi Faith-Aren’t they the best? I am addicted
Thankyou! We did thankyou so much! I hope you did too! Why thankyou, I adore them I must admit 
Hi Heavenly Housewife |-Ahh yes next time they’re in season I definitely recommend them!
Hehe good to know I’m in good company darling! Xxx
Hi Trisha-Hehe you are too funny
Thankyou!
Hi The Asian Pear-Thankyou! I think they’re really seasonal and I’ve only just started to see them here
Hi Adrasteia-Aww how cute! Hehe that is great!
Hi joey-Thankyou so much!
Hi Alison-Aren’t they great! Time for another batch perhaps?!
Hi Rosa-Thanks so much!
Hi Barbara-Thankyou for your kind words. Yes those cups are such a joy to use!
Hi Julia-The fresh fruit admittedly often gets eaten fresh but I had to blog about them as they were too good!
Oh how fabulous! Could he please talk to Mr NQN who is also a good cook when he does try. He just doesn’t try enough 
Hmm that’s quite a consideration… maybe it’s not a good idea after all!
Hi grace-Haha of course!
Hi Su-yin-Oh how cool!
Oh I bet it is! That sounds absolutely lovely! 
Hi Mary-Haha! Oh no!
HI Barbara-Isn’t it purty! I don’t know if Breville is available in the US. Well some things are (I think the panini press is) but I don’t know if the full range is. Oh yes do if you see one, they’re so good (although they kind of ruin me for regular peaches now). Hey that is great help! I’d go for that too! Xxx
Hi Angela-Thankyou!
I do love sweet stone fruit 
Thankyou so much and likewise! 
Hi Esz-Hehe please do!
That is, if the peaches aren’t eaten straight-I had to hide some from Mr NQN 
Hi Dharm-Haha it’s a hard choice!
Hi Bob-You can buy them at larger fruit markets and larger fruit stores. I haven’t spotted any at any supermarkets yet I’m afraid
Hi Stefania-Aren’t they just!
Hi so Spiffy-Thanks! Mr NQN is great at buying things I want!
Thankyou so much!
Hi kathy-Hehe yes only if desperate for mine!
It’s a toughie as I’ve only started to use the Breville so I don’t know how it lasts but the Breville is at a better price by about $200 and definitely has all the features and then some. But the KA has attachments that you may like like an ice cream attachment etc so if you want to make use of the attachments or not then that may sway your opinion. Although I think they’re both really good machines and they’re at a level where they should last you ages 
Hi Panda-Thankyou! Haha aren’t they the coolest!
OH that’s a greta deal, I like that! 
Hi Johanna-There is that temptation. I had to hold some back as I figured people wouldn’t want to read about me eating peaches
Hi sara-Thankyou so much!
Hi Arwen -Yep they sure are. They’re so good I wish they were stocked everywhere! Thankyou
Hi Katherine-Haha you are too funny!
I felt very lucky indeed! 
Hi Perthgal-I will definitely let you all know. I’m interested to see how they compare too
Hey that sounds rather good! 
Hi arista-Hehe thankyou!
Yes some white ones would be good too as they’re lovely and sweet usually 
Hmm good idea getting a BBQ. Maybe I can convince him to cook then! 
Hi Alex-Aren’t they the best!
Hi mica-Oh yes that’s what happened to me! I so love it when fruit is that juicy and sweet!
Oh no! So you have to get mad at him before he’ll do it? Sounds like Mr NQN and housework! 
Hi Hannah-Absolutely, sounds like a good plan!
Hi mlle délicieuse -Ahh yes then they look like mutant squashed peaches I suppose!
Hi Miki-I hope they become easier to get. They’re so lovely!
Perhaps the Queen Vic markets might have them? 
Hi Vita-Hehe looks like so many of us got them!
I do love babushkas! Thankyou! 
x
Hi Chefspiration-Thanks! Hope you have a very Happy New Year Alex!
Hi Reemski-Haha there are so many of us! Exactly! I’ve used them a few times now
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Isn’t it amazing when you come across fruit like that
Haha there are so many of us! 
I know, it’s brilliant isn’t it!
Hi chinesechic-Thankyou!
Hi tasteofbeirut-Yes who knows, they might get some in if they know you want them
Ahh really! I think they might import some from places closer to you perhaps? I hope so 
Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou so much! Happy New Year to you and I hope 2010 is wonderful!
Hi Phuoc-Exactly!
You just want to share the excitement! 
Hehe I don’t know about hitting the stores but yes it’s a purty mixer! 
Hi Angela-Ooh saturn peaches-now that’s an interesting name for them! Yes I can imagine and the pip is small and easy to take off too
Yes it’s amazing, she’s had such a workout since I got her!
Hi Forager-Hmmm the hitning is doing no good? Send me his email address
Oooh dried peaches are amazing aren’t they! :O
Hi PassionateMae-Thankyou! I published the winner on the story a while back
Happy New Year Mae! 
Hi Belle-Haha! The trifecta of girly foody things?
It’s about the same size (the bowl is lower and wide in diameter but I think they fit the same amount) 
HI Liss-Good stuff! It’s like a cookbook!
Haha I’m counting sooo many of us that have them now! 
Hi snooky doodle-Hehe thankyou! I can’t help myself sometimes
Hi Lauren-Thankyou so much!
I definitely will let you know once I have a bit more of a play 
Hi anna-Yes it’s very new!
Haha well we’re right in the middle of peach season 
Hi devilishdamsel-Thankyou! He bought them from Peters of Kensington although they’re closed now but if you look up Fred M cups there should be a few retailers
Hi Anita-Oh definitely do! I buy some whenever I see them
Hi Emily-Yes that’s why we bought up big!
He bought them from Peters of Kensington which is now closed but there are some other retailers if you search Fred M cups :_
Hi Mary-Thank on both counts!
Hi betty-Yes it’s $550 which is a good price!
Haha you are too funny! 
Hi Conor-Yes it;s worth it!
Hehe yes he doesn’t sound like much of a baker then! 
I wish they actually puts mls on them though, there are only cup measurements!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou so much! Yes they’re so good aren’t they! Hehe thanks Sophie!
Hi Y-Aren’t they great! I wish the season was longer
Thanks!
Hi penny-Hehe thankyou!
You are too sweet. I love cooking together!
Love the mixer and LOVE those measuring cups. The peaches are so beautiful and the cupcakes look wonderful. I can only imagine how good they must’ve been.
My husband is an amazing cook and he usually takes over the kitchen on weekends and vacations. I’m a lucky woman.
Those have to be the cutest measuring cups I’ve ever seen. Bravo to whoever came up with them. And kudos to you for those adorable donut peach cupcakes. Sigh, peaches won’t be in season here for another seven months. I’ll have to live vicariously through you in the meantime.
My dad got me these measuring cups a few months ago – they’re almost too cute to use! But I do love having a 2/3 and 3/4 cup; very useful.
I can’t wait to try these cupcakes, they sound fantastic!
Hi Jamie-Thankyou so much! You definitely are a lucky woman but it’s no less than you deserve!
Hi Carolyn-Thanks, yes I fell in love as soon as I saw them
Hehe by all means please do! 
Hi Gillian-Hehe so many lucky people with those neasuring cups!
Yes I love my measuring jug but these are a great complement to it! Thankyou! 
Hi Lorraine!
Do you have an email that I could contact you on something?
Thanks.
After searching for them the past few weeks, I’ve put the call out to my “she can find anything” girlfriend to find me donut peaches. If I can’t source any by next week, I’m afraid I’m going to have to use standard white peaches because I need/want/have to make myself those cupcakes they look sooooo delicious.
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