More than 100 years ago, Emma Rylander Lane of Clayton, Alabama entered the annual baking competition 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.
This stunning, flavorful Lane Cake is complete with a peachy makeover and an unforgettable meringue frosting.
This isn't one of those desserts where you can pop in and out of the kitchen; it takes some effort, but the moist cake is totally worth the wait. Packed with Southern flavors like toasted pecans, coconut flakes, and dried peaches, it's sure to be the food favorite at any occasion, and is an excellent treat to offer guests.
The Lane Cake is topped with a Peach Schnapps-infused frosting that's both incredibly unique and fluffy. Bourbon is one of the primary components in the dessert, which helps the flavor to improve as it ages.
![Southern Living The Lane Cake on a cake plate to serve](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Nvfvlfeelvx3wdkL1of2hkoovcY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lane-Cake_Audit7666_beauty-35-acd55af2dd1f4e07a8c113ae1694eace.jpg)
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
![Southern Living The Lane Cake ingredients](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/vppzTLq9RtmWJlZhkPLhfUb0J-o=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lane-Cake_Audit7666_Step01-16-c270cda6cc55417b8f8b671fff3aa2bf.jpg)
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Ingredients
Cake Layers
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2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
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1 1/4 cups butter, softened
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8 large egg whites, at room temperature
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3 cups all-purpose soft-wheat flour (such as White Lily)
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4 tsp. baking powder
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1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
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Shortening
Peach Filling
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Boiling water
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8 oz. dried peach halves
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1/2 cup butter, melted
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1 cup granulated sugar
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8 large egg yolks
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3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
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3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
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1/2 cup bourbon
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2 tsp. vanilla extract
Peach Schnapps Frosting
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2 large egg whites
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1 1/2 cups sugar
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1/2 cup peach schnapps
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2 tsp. light corn syrup
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1/8 tsp. table salt
Directions
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Prepare Cake Layers:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat first 2 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Gradually add 8 egg whites, 2 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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Add batter to cake pans:
Sift together flour and baking powder; gradually add to butter mixture alternately with 1 cup water, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Stir in 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Spoon batter into 4 greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round shiny cake pans (about 1 ¾ cups batter in each pan).
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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Bake cake layers:
Bake at 350°F 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).
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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Boil peaches:
Pour boiling water to cover over dried peach halves in a medium bowl; let stand 30 minutes. Drain well, and cut into ¼-inch pieces. (After plumping and dicing, you should have about 2 cups peaches.)
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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Prepare Filling:
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.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Remove from heat, and stir in diced peaches, coconut, and next 3 ingredients. Cool completely (about 30 minutes).
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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Construct cake:
Spread filling between cake layers (a little over 1 cup per layer).
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Cover cake with plastic wrap, and chill 12 hours.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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Prepare Frosting:
Pour water to a depth of 1 ½ inches into a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk together 2 egg whites, 1 ½ cups sugar, and next 3 ingredients in a heatproof bowl; place bowl over boiling water.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
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.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Remove from heat, and spread immediately over top and sides of cake.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen