This cherry coffee cake recipe is made with fresh or frozen cherries and is such a delicious and indulgent way to enjoy breakfast! Done from start to finish in less than one hour.
Why I Love This Recipe
Coffee cake is one of my favorite sweet breakfast treats to both prepare and enjoy (in addition to these yummy berry muffins!). This cherry coffee cake recipe is my new favorite and here's why:
- I love fresh cherries and I'm always looking for new ways to use them. This delicious breakfast is the answer!
- My family devours this recipe and guests do, too.
- It is super easy to prepare in advance, so I can just pop it in the oven and bake it the morning I want to serve it.
- Aside from the cherries, this cherry streusel coffee cake is made using only simple ingredients (they're all probably sitting in your kitchen now!).
- It's a great sweet treat to enjoy with your morning coffee and it makes a great dessert!
Why Is It Called Coffee Cake
Let's address the obvious question right off the bat because this is a bit of a confusing name.
Most varieties of coffee cake do not contain coffee. Instead, they have historically been an indulgent breakfast treat that people eat while sharing coffee and conversation, hence the name: coffee cake.
Recipe Ingredients
Butter - If using salted butter, decrease the amount of salt used in the recipe or omit altogether.
Brown sugar - Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar can be used interchangeably in this recipe.
Vanilla extract - Consider using another variety of extract such as almond extract.
Flour - All-purpose flour is my go-to for this recipe but it is ok to use a gluten-free variety such as almond flour to create a gluten free coffee cake.
Cinnamon - Depending on how much cinnamon flavor you prefer, you can cut the amount in half or even double it (for the coffee cake portion).
Sour cream - The sour cream adds a delicious moistness to the cake.
Cherries - Use fresh or frozen cherries. When using fresh, remove the pits first, then chop.
When using frozen, allow them to thaw for a minimum of 20 minutes before adding to the recipe.
Glaze - A good ratio for the icing is 2 cups powdered sugar to 4 tablespoons of liquid. Milk or water can be used as the liquid.
Prep Cherry Coffee Cake Ahead of Time
- Prepare the recipe as directed through sprinkling the crumble over the top of the batter.
- Cover and refrigerate.
- Let the pan sit at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to baking.
- Bake as directed.
- Prepare icing while it bakes.
How to Make Cherry Coffee Cake
Make The Coffee Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.
In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix well. Gradually the flour mixture add to the butter mixture and beat on medium-low speed until just combined.
Add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Stir in the juicy cherries. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading in an even layer.
Make The Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and melted butter. Stir until crumbly.
Sprinkle crumbles over the cake layer in the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool.
Make The Glaze
Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), powdered sugar and milk. Mix on medium speed until glaze is free of lumps. Drizzle over the cooled coffee cake, cut into squares and serve!
Recipe Notes
- Enjoy leftovers by adding a scoop of ice cream to a warmed slice of delicious cherry coffee cake.
Can You Freeze Coffee Cake
Coffee cake can be frozen! Wrap the pan tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Alternatively, you may transfer it to an airtight container.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months for best results.
Types of Cherries for Baking
Just about all varieties of fresh or frozen cherries work great in baking. Here are the most common, including both tart/sour cherries and sweet cherries:
- Bing cherries
- Rainier cherries
- Morello cherries
Can I Use Canned Cherries Instead of Fresh
You can replace fresh or frozen cherries with a 21-oz can of cherry pie filling if desired. Instead of stirring the filling into the batter, spread the batter evenly in the prepared dish, then drop the filling in spoonfuls over the top.
Use the edge of a thin knife to gently mix the cherry filling with the batter before adding the crumb mixture to the top.
Does Coffee Cake Have Caffeine
Since coffee cake doesn't actually contain coffee, it does not have caffeine inside. If it does contain caffeine, it would be from added ingredients such as chocolate (which this cherry coffee cake does not have).
Crumb Cake vs Coffee Cake
Coffee cake and crumb cake are very similar in taste and ingredients. The main difference is the amount of streusel topping used.
Crumb cake typically contains a thicker layer of crumble topping with large crumbs. Coffee cake has less of a topping, containing smaller crumbs.
Cherry Recipes
Cherry Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Coffee Cake
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 cups cherries pitted and chopped
Crumble
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 5 tbsp butter melted
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Mix well. Gradually add to the butter mixture and beat on medium-low speed until just combined.
- Add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Stir in the cherries. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading in an even layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and melted butter. Stir until crumbly. Sprinkle crumbles over the cake batter in the pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool.
- Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), powdered sugar and milk. Mix on medium speed until glaze is free of lumps. Drizzle over the cooled coffee cake, cut into squares and serve!
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