Creamy Almond Cherry Coffee Cake
This Creamy Almond Cherry Coffee Cake is a delightful twist on the classic coffee cake, perfect for breakfast or brunch gatherings. The cake boasts a rich, moist texture with a luscious cream cheese base complemented by sweet cherries and aromatic almond flavors. Topped with a crunchy almond streusel, it's a crowd-pleaser that can be made ahead of time, allowing you to savor the company of friends and family without the stress of last-minute cooking. Serve it warm with a drizzle of glaze or simply dusted with powdered sugar for an inviting presentation.
12
Servings
300
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1/2 cup (room temperature)
granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups
cream cheese
8 ounces (room temperature)
eggs
2 (room temperature)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
almond extract
1 teaspoon
all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups
baking powder
1 teaspoon
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
milk
1/4 cup (room temperature)
dried cherries
3/4 cup (or other dried fruit)
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
topping - unsalted butter
2 tablespoons
topping - all-purpose flour
1/3 cup
topping - brown sugar
1/3 cup
sliced almonds
3/8 cup
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a 9x13 inch cake pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix until combined.
4
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the room temperature milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until combined, but do not overmix.
5
Fold in the dried cherries or your choice of dried fruit until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula and smoothing the top.
7
In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients: melted unsalted butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly, and then fold in the sliced almonds.
8
Sprinkle the almond topping evenly over the batter, and gently press down to adhere it to the mixture.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
40g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Almond Cherry Coffee Cake?
It is a rich and moist coffee cake featuring a cream cheese base, sweet cherries, and almond flavors, topped with a crunchy streusel.
What size pan should I use for this recipe?
You should use a 9x13 inch cake pan generously sprayed with cooking spray.
How many servings does this coffee cake provide?
This recipe yields 12 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake can be made ahead of time, making it ideal for stress-free breakfast or brunch gatherings.
What are the main flavor profiles in this cake?
The cake is characterized by sweet cherries and aromatic almond flavors.
How long does the cake need to bake?
Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What ingredients are in the almond topping?
The topping is made from melted unsalted butter, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and sliced almonds.
Can I use a different fruit instead of dried cherries?
Yes, you can substitute the dried cherries with your choice of other dried fruits.
What gives this cake its moist texture?
The moist texture comes from the use of cream cheese and room temperature butter and milk.
How should I serve the Creamy Almond Cherry Coffee Cake?
You can serve it warm with a drizzle of glaze or simply dusted with powdered sugar.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the preparation for the butter and cream cheese?
Both the unsalted butter and the cream cheese should be at room temperature before mixing.
What type of almonds should I use?
The recipe calls for 3/8 cup of sliced almonds for the topping.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 2 room temperature eggs.
Should I sift the dry ingredients?
Yes, you should sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
How should I mix the dry and wet ingredients?
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
Is it okay to overmix the batter?
No, you should mix until combined but avoid overmixing to maintain the cake's texture.
How long should the cake cool before slicing?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 14g of fat.
How much sugar is in the main cake batter?
The cake batter uses 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar.
Is there cinnamon in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon is included in the almond topping.
What extracts are used for flavoring?
The recipe uses both vanilla extract and almond extract.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 40g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in a serving?
Each serving provides 5g of protein.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Breads.
How do I incorporate the dried cherries?
Gently fold the dried cherries into the batter until they are evenly distributed.
What kind of sugar is used in the topping?
The topping uses 1/3 cup of brown sugar.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter for both the cake and the topping.
What is the role of baking soda and baking powder in this recipe?
They act as leavening agents to help the coffee cake rise during baking.