This Simple Cherry Cake with Butter Streusel combines the juicy, tart sweetness of cherries with a rich and buttery streusel topping, creating a dessert that’s as satisfying to eat as it is easy to make. The cake features a tender base layered with thick cherry sauce and finished with a crumbly, sweet streusel that bakes to golden perfection. This classic combination ensures a delightful texture and flavor in every bite, making it a perfect treat for cherry lovers.
Why You’ll Love This: The cake’s appeal lies in its simplicity and the delightful contrast between the soft cake, the rich cherry filling, and the crunchy streusel topping. The use of vanilla and cherry juice enhances the depth of flavor, bringing out a freshness that complements the buttery crumbs beautifully. It’s a straightforward recipe that delivers on the promise of home-baked comfort, making it a reliable choice for both new bakers and seasoned cooks.
Perfect Occasion: This cherry streusel cake is ideal for a wide range of occasions. Serve it as a cozy dessert for family dinners, bring it to a potluck, or enjoy it as part of a festive holiday spread. It’s particularly fitting for summer gatherings when cherries are in season, but thanks to the use of canned cherries, you can delight in this cake any time of the year. It also makes a lovely addition to a Sunday brunch or coffee table, providing a sweet accompaniment to your favorite beverage.
Decoration Tips: For an added touch of elegance, dust the cooled cake with a light layer of icing sugar. If serving at a gathering, consider placing fresh cherries around the base of the cake on the serving platter for a decorative and thematic touch. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream not only enhances the presentation but also pairs wonderfully with the warm flavors of the cake.
Ingredients:
- For the Crumbs:
- 200g flour
- 125g cold butter
- 100g sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla sugar
- For the Base:
- 125g butter
- 80g sugar
- 200g flour
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar
- 1/2 pack baking powder
- For the Cherry Filling:
- 330 ml cherry juice (collected from draining)
- 50g sugar
- 1 pack vanilla pudding powder
- 370g drained cherries (from a large jar)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (top/bottom heat). Line a 26 cm springform pan with baking paper and butter the edges.
- Make the Crumbs:
- Combine flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla sugar in a mixer and knead until crumbly. Set aside.
- Prepare the Base:
- In the same mixer, knead together butter, sugar, flour, vanilla sugar, and baking powder to form a dough.
- Press the dough into the prepared pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and goes halfway up the sides. Prick the base several times with a fork.
- Cook the Cherry Filling:
- In the mixer, combine the cherry juice, sugar, and vanilla pudding powder. Cook until the mixture thickens.
- Gently fold in the drained cherries and spread evenly over the prepared base.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Sprinkle the prepared crumbs evenly over the cherry layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes on the second rack from the bottom.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.
- Serve:
- Once cool, dust with icing sugar and cut into pieces.
- Optionally, serve each piece with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.
Enjoy this Simple Cherry Cake with Butter Streusel, a perfect blend of textures and flavors that will make any gathering a little sweeter!
