The Ultimate Fresh Cherry Coffee Cake: Moist, Fluffy, and Topped with Sweet Streusel
Summer calls for baking with the season’s most delightful fruits, and nothing quite captures that essence like juicy, ripe cherries. This easy-to-follow recipe for Fresh and Fluffy Cherry Coffee Cake offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in these seasonal gems. Imagine a cake that’s wonderfully moist, unbelievably fluffy, bursting with sweet cherry flavor, and crowned with an irresistible streusel crumb topping that adds just the right amount of crunch. It’s truly a celebration of summer in every bite, ideal for any occasion from a casual breakfast to an elegant brunch or a comforting dessert.
There’s an undeniable magic that happens when you bake with fresh, in-season produce. The flavors are brighter, more vibrant, and the aromas that fill your kitchen are simply incomparable. That’s precisely why this cherry crumb cake stands out. As a trained pastry chef, I’m passionate about maximizing the natural goodness of each season’s bounty, and summer cherries are undoubtedly one of my favorite ingredients to work with. Their sweet-tart profile is a game-changer in baked goods, elevating simple recipes into extraordinary treats.
This delightful cherry coffee cake is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of serving occasions. Whether you’re looking for a stunning summer dessert to impress your guests, or a sweet and satisfying coffee cake for breakfast or brunch, this recipe delivers. The cake itself boasts a rich, buttery flavor and a remarkably tender crumb, while the star of the show – fresh, juicy cherries – infuses every mouthful with their distinctive taste. To complete this masterpiece, a sweet and crunchy crumb topping provides the perfect textural contrast, making it a truly unforgettable bake.
Cherries are truly a baker’s delight. Their unique balance of tartness and sweetness, coupled with their delicate yet robust flavor, makes them exceptional in a variety of desserts. Beyond this amazing coffee cake, they shine in classic treats like pies and cobblers, and even add a sophisticated twist to indulgent black forest brownies. If you’re eager to explore more cherry-inspired recipes, be sure to try these delightful cherry cupcakes, especially when paired with a luscious cherry frosting. The possibilities for cherry desserts are endless!
This generous cherry cake recipe is designed to serve 10 to 12 people, depending on how generously you slice it. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll want a substantial piece! And if you’re a fan of the coffee cake concept but looking for other fruit variations, don’t miss out on my equally delicious recipes like the comforting banana coffee cake, the autumnal apple coffee cake, or the unique and tangy rhubarb coffee cake. Each offers a distinct flavor profile while maintaining that beloved coffee cake texture.
Why This Fresh Cherry Coffee Cake Recipe Is a Must-Try
- Exquisite Flavor Balance: This cake masterfully combines the inherent sweetness and delicate tartness of fresh cherries, resulting in a perfectly balanced flavor profile that is both unique and utterly delicious.
- Superior Texture: Experience the ultimate in cake texture – a remarkably moist and fluffy crumb that practically melts in your mouth, perfectly complemented by a delightful, crunchy streusel topping.
- Incredible Versatility: Whether you’re planning a lavish brunch, a casual breakfast treat, or an elegant after-dinner dessert, this coffee cake fits seamlessly into any culinary occasion. It’s a crowd-pleaser for any time of day.
- Simple & Accessible: Despite its gourmet taste and appearance, this recipe utilizes simple, readily available ingredients and features straightforward instructions, making it approachable for bakers of all skill levels.
- Celebration of Seasonal Fruit: Making this cake allows you to truly embrace and highlight the peak flavor of fresh, seasonal cherries, turning them into a show-stopping baked good.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cherry Coffee Cake
Crafting the perfect cherry coffee cake begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that sought-after moist, fluffy texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor.
For the Crunchy Streusel Crumb Topping:
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the essential dry base of our streusel, creating that perfectly crumbly texture when combined with other ingredients.
- Brown & White Sugar: This combination provides a depth of sweetness and a slight caramel note from the brown sugar, ensuring a deliciously sweet and golden crust on top of your cake.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, inviting, and fragrant spice note that beautifully complements the cherries and the buttery streusel. It’s a classic pairing for a reason!
- Salt: A crucial ingredient that balances the sweetness of the sugars, enhancing all the flavors in the topping and preventing it from being overly cloying.
- Cold Unsalted Butter: The secret to a perfectly crumbly streusel! Using cold, diced butter ensures that it doesn’t fully incorporate into the dry ingredients, leading to those desirable distinct crumbs and adding rich, buttery flavor as it bakes.
For the Moist & Fluffy Cherry Coffee Cake:
- Pitted Cherries: The star ingredient! Fresh sweet cherries are my top recommendation for their vibrant flavor and texture. However, don’t worry if fresh aren’t available; instructions for using frozen or even canned cherries are provided below to ensure you can still enjoy this delicious cake year-round.
- Unsalted Butter: Contributes significantly to the cake’s richness, deep flavor, and tender, moist crumb. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall salt content in the recipe.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake batter, creating a delightful contrast with the tartness of the cherries and ensuring a perfectly balanced taste.
- Large Egg: Acts as a crucial binding agent, holding all the ingredients together and contributing to the cake’s structure. It also adds richness and moisture to the batter, resulting in a more tender crumb.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A staple in baking, vanilla extract enhances and rounds out all the flavors in the cake, adding a subtle warmth and aroma that makes this dessert truly special.
- Buttermilk: This tangy, thick milk is a baker’s best friend. Its acidity reacts with the leavening agents, promoting a wonderfully tender crumb and adding a slight tang that beautifully complements the cherries.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents work in harmony to give the cake its impressive rise and signature fluffy texture. The baking soda specifically reacts with the buttermilk’s acidity.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the fundamental structure for the cake, ensuring it holds together while remaining tender and light.
- Cinnamon: A small hint of cinnamon in the cake batter adds a warm, comforting note that perfectly complements the cherries and brings out their sweetness without overpowering them.
- Salt: Essential for balancing all the sweet and tart flavors, salt brings out the best in every ingredient and prevents the cake from tasting bland.
- Optional Glaze: A simple mix of powdered sugar and a touch of cream creates a sweet, elegant drizzle that adds an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful finish to the cooled coffee cake.
How to Master Your Fresh Cherry Coffee Cake
Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping cherry coffee cake that’s perfect every time. Precision and attention to detail are key for that perfect moist, fluffy texture and crumbly streusel topping.
Step 1: Assemble the Crumb Topping. Begin by preparing the streusel topping first, as it benefits from chilling time. In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, both brown and white sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly until well combined. Next, add the cold, diced butter to the mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue until damp, coarse crumbles form – these should be no larger than the size of a pea. Once achieved, place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the cake batter. This chilling step helps ensure a perfectly crumbly topping that won’t melt too quickly during baking.
Step 2: Prepare for Baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a 10-inch springform pan and generously spray it with baking spray (or grease and flour it). Set the prepared pan aside. A springform pan is ideal for easily releasing the cake, especially with the crumb topping and potential glaze.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), add the softened unsalted butter. Cream on medium speed for about one minute until smooth. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated, then add the granulated sugar, large egg, and vanilla extract. Continue to cream the mixture on medium speed for another minute, making sure to scrape down the sides again to achieve a light, fluffy, and well-combined mixture.
Step 4: Assemble the Dry Ingredients. In a separate, larger bowl, combine the remaining all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and cinnamon. Use a whisk or a fork to thoroughly combine these ingredients, ensuring the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Step 5: Create the Coffee Cake Batter. Now it’s time to bring the wet and dry ingredients together. With your stand mixer on low speed, begin adding the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Start with about one-third of the dry ingredients, mix until just combined, then add half of the buttermilk, mix again, then another third of the dry, followed by the remaining buttermilk, and finally the last third of the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough cake.
Step 6: Incorporate the Cherries. Take the pitted cherries and place them in a small bowl. Add the remaining tablespoon of flour (from the “2 cups + 1 tbsp” measurement) over the cherries. Gently toss to combine, ensuring the cherries are lightly coated. This light dusting of flour helps prevent the cherries from sinking to the bottom of the cake during baking. Gently fold the floured cherries into the prepared cake batter, mixing just enough to distribute them evenly.
Step 7: Bake, Cool, and Glaze. Pour the finished batter evenly into your prepared 10-inch springform pan. Retrieve the chilled crumb mixture from the fridge and sprinkle it generously over the top of the cake batter. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, and the cake no longer jiggles in the middle. The streusel should be golden brown and fragrant. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to glaze. Once cooled, prepare the optional glaze: in a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and cream until smooth. Drizzle this sweet glaze over the cooled cake, allowing it to set slightly before slicing. Slice, serve, and enjoy your magnificent Fresh Cherry Coffee Cake!
Expert Tips for Perfect Cherry Coffee Cake Every Time
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: This is a golden rule in baking, especially for cakes. Once you start combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until just incorporated. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a dense, tough, and less fluffy cake.
- Cherry Choices & Preparation: While fresh sweet cherries are fantastic, this recipe is adaptable. You can substitute frozen or even canned cherries. If using frozen cherries, ensure they are completely thawed and thoroughly drained of any excess liquid to prevent a soggy cake. Pat them dry with paper towels before tossing with flour. If using canned, drain them well and rinse if they were packed in syrup, then pat dry.
- Buttermilk Substitution Trick: No buttermilk on hand? No problem! You can easily make a homemade substitute. For every one cup of buttermilk required, simply add one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way to the one-cup mark with regular milk (dairy or non-dairy works). Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about five minutes until it slightly curdles and thickens. This acidic mixture will work perfectly in the recipe.
- Room Temperature Ingredients (Mostly!): For the cake batter, ensure all ingredients (butter, eggs, buttermilk) are at room temperature. This allows them to combine more smoothly and evenly, creating a uniform emulsion that traps air effectively, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cake. The only exception is the butter for the crumb topping, which should be cold.
- Cool Before Glazing: Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to glazing. Allow your coffee cake to cool completely before drizzling with the glaze. If the cake is warm, the glaze will melt and run down the sides, losing its beautiful aesthetic and thick texture.
- Accurate Flour Measurement: Proper flour measurement is crucial for cake success. Avoid scooping flour directly from the container with your measuring cup, as this compacts the flour and leads to using too much. Instead, gently spoon the flour into your measuring cup until it’s overflowing, then level it off with the back of a knife or a straight edge. This method ensures you have the correct amount, contributing to a tender cake.
- Don’t Skip Chilling the Streusel: Chilling the streusel topping before adding it to the cake batter helps maintain its crumbly texture. Cold butter in the streusel prevents it from melting too quickly in the oven, allowing the crumbs to crisp up beautifully.
Exciting Variations to Customize Your Coffee Cake
Get creative and put your own spin on this delicious cherry coffee cake with these delightful variations:
- Vibrant Cherry Glaze: For a visually stunning and flavor-packed glaze, squeeze a bit of fresh cherry juice (or a touch of cherry syrup) into your powdered sugar and cream mixture. This will create a beautiful bright pink frosting that enhances the cherry flavor and adds a pop of color.
- Explore Other Flavor Extracts: While vanilla is a classic for a reason, don’t hesitate to experiment with different extracts to create new flavor dimensions. Consider almond extract for a marzipan-like nuance that pairs wonderfully with cherries, or try coconut, maple, or even a pure cherry extract for an intensified fruit flavor.
- Seasonal Fruit Swaps: This coffee cake recipe is incredibly adaptable to other fruits. Instead of cherries, try it with fresh peaches (peeled and diced), sweet raspberries, or juicy blueberries for a fun summer dessert. Mixed berries would also be fantastic!
- Cherry Almond Cake Twist: Elevate the flavor profile by making a cherry almond cake. Simply add about ½ cup of sliced or chopped almonds to the cake batter along with the cherries. You can also sprinkle a few almonds into the streusel topping for an extra nutty crunch.
- Chocolate Chip Addition: For chocolate lovers, fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate along with the cherries. Cherry and chocolate is a match made in heaven!
- Spiced Streusel: Boost the spice factor in your streusel by adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cardamom alongside the cinnamon for a more complex and aromatic topping.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Ensuring your delicious cherry coffee cake stays fresh and flavorful for as long as possible is easy with these storage tips:
Storing at Room Temperature: This cherry cake is perfectly fine stored at room temperature for a short period. To keep it fresh, place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Stored this way, it will remain fresh and delicious for approximately four days. Keeping it covered prevents it from drying out and maintains its moist texture.
Refrigeration for Extended Freshness: If you need to store the cake for a longer duration, it’s best to pop it into the refrigerator. Again, ensure it’s in an airtight container or securely wrapped. When refrigerated, this coffee cake will last for up to one week, allowing you to savor its flavors for days to come. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Freezing for Long-Term Enjoyment: This cherry coffee cake freezes beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prepping or saving for a future treat. To freeze, first ensure the cake is completely cooled. Then, wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn. Place the wrapped cake into a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. The cake will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, or for a few hours on the kitchen counter until it reaches your desired temperature. You can even warm a slice gently in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
Cherry Coffee Cake Recipe FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions about making and enjoying your cherry coffee cake:
What type of pan is best for baking coffee cake?
I highly recommend using a 10-inch springform pan for this recipe. Springform pans are fantastic because their removable sides make it incredibly easy to release the cake without damaging its delicate structure or the beautiful streusel topping. However, if you don’t have a springform pan, a standard 9-inch round cake pan can also work. Just be sure to prepare it very well by generously spraying it with baking spray and/or lining the bottom with parchment paper, ensuring easy removal.
How do I pit fresh cherries efficiently?
Pitting cherries can seem tedious, but there are a few simple methods. The easiest way is to use a dedicated cherry pitter, which quickly removes the pit with minimal mess. Alternatively, you can use a sturdy straw, a chopstick, or even the back of a piping tip to poke through the cherry and push the pit out. Whichever method you choose, make sure to do it over a bowl to catch any juices and prevent staining.
Can I use frozen or canned cherries instead of fresh?
Yes, absolutely! The recipe provides notes for this. If using frozen cherries, make sure to thaw them completely and drain all excess liquid before patting them dry. This prevents the extra moisture from making your cake soggy. For canned cherries, drain them thoroughly, rinse if they were packed in syrup, and pat them dry as well. The key is to reduce as much moisture as possible.
How can I tell when my coffee cake is fully baked?
The cake is typically done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. The streusel topping should be golden brown and fragrant, and the cake should feel set in the middle, not jiggly. The baking time is a guideline, so always test for doneness.
Can I make this cherry coffee cake ahead of time?
Yes, coffee cakes are great for making ahead! You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it at room temperature (or refrigerated) as per the storage instructions. Apply the glaze just before serving for the best presentation. The flavors often deepen and become even more delicious the next day.
What are some good ways to serve this coffee cake?
This cake is delightful on its own, but you can enhance the experience by serving it with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a side of fresh berries. It also pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk.
More Delicious Breakfast & Brunch Recipes to Explore
If you loved this cherry coffee cake, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other breakfast and brunch favorites. Stay tuned for more delightful recipes that are perfect for starting your day on a sweet note or impressing your guests at your next gathering. From fluffy pancakes to savory quiches, there’s always something new to bake!
Fresh and Fluffy Cherry Coffee Cake
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Ingredients
For crumb topping:
- 1 cup all purpose flour, 120g
- ½ cup brown sugar, 107g
- ¼ cup sugar, 50g
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup butter, unsalted, cold, diced small.
For cherry cake:
- ½ cup butter , 113 g unsalted softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, 200g
- 1 egg, large
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour, 240g + 1 tbsp
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon, or more to taste
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ pound cherries, pitted
Optional glaze:
- ½ cup confectioners sugar, 56g
- 1 tbsp cream
Instructions
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Make the crumb topping. In a small bowl combine the 1 cup flour, 1/2 brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 -1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp salt.
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Use a pastry cutter to cut in the ½ cup butter or pinch the butter into the mixture with your fingers gently until small clumps are formed no larger than the size of a pea. Place in the fridge while you make the cake.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In the bowl of a hand or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter for one minute. Scrape down the sides and add the 1 cup sugar. Cream for 2 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy.
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Scrape the bowl again and add the egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute.
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In a separate bowl combine 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp kosher salt ½ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp baking soda. Mix lightly with a fork or whisk to combine.
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Alternate adding the dry ingredients with the buttermilk starting and ending with the dry ingredients- ⅓ at a time- mixing in between each addition.
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Take the remaining 1 tbsp flour and dust it over the cherries. Mix to combine and add to the batter, mixing lightly.
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Spray a 10” springform pan with baking spray and pour in the batter.
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Top with the crumb topping and bake for 50-55 minutes on until the cake is no longer jiggly.
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When the cake is cooled, mix together the ½ cup confectioners sugar with 1 tbsp cream and drizzle all over the cake.