Cherry Coffee Cake

Name: Cherry Coffee Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour ((270 grams)); 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes ((one stick)); 1 large egg, beaten; ¾ cup milk; 20 ounce can cherry pie filling; 1 cup all purpose flour ((135 grams)); 1 cup brown sugar, packed; ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes ((one stick))

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Cherry Coffee Cake is a delicious and simple treat made with a cake bottom, cherry pie filling, and streusel topping! This tasty recipe comes together fast and is great for any occasion!

Cherry Coffee Cake slice on a white plate with a slice in the background and striped napkin.

One bite of this flavorful and moist Cherry Coffee Cake and you’ll be hooked! It’s perfectly sweetened with an amazing texture and flavor. This is truly a special treat to have on hand.

If you love cherries, be sure to try my delicious Dried Cherry Scones. And, for another delicious cake treat, you’re going to love this Cranberry Ricotta Cake or this Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake.

Table of Contents

Why You Need to Make Cherry Coffee Cake!

This Cherry Coffee Cake recipe is a delicious mashup of sweet and crumbly coffee cake and tasty cherry pie. It’s satisfying and simple, and sure to be your new favorite treat.

Coffee Cake is one of those recipes that’s perfect for entertaining or just having on hand during the week. It’s great enjoyed anytime of the day, for breakfast, snack or a dessert.

This recipe has a rich and buttery flavor that’s enhanced with the addition of the cherry pie filling. The cherry gives a little bit of sweetness and tartness and make this cake extra special.

Slice of cherry coffee cake on a white plate.

You’re also going to love the texture of this recipe with its cake bottom, silky cherry filling, and crunchy streusel topping. It’s classic comfort food that’s perfect enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee or tea.

This particular recipe is simple to make as the food processor does most of the work for you by prepping both the cake bottom and streusel topping.

So, if you’re looking for a delicious and fun spin on your traditional coffee cake, be sure to give this Cherry Coffee Cake recipe a try. You’re going to love it!

Ingredients

Cherry Pie Filling: you can find canned cherry pie filling in the baking section of most grocery stores. You could substitute other canned pie fillings like blueberry or apple, or make your own at home.
Flour: here, I am using just standard all purpose flour. You will need it for both the cake and streusel part of the coffee cake.
Sugar: just regular granulated sugar works.
Baking powder: you’ll need a bit of baking powder for the cake layer.
Egg: use a large egg and be sure to beat it before adding to the batter.
Butter: be sure you are using cold butter for both the cake and streusel layer. I use unsalted butter but you can use salted and just omit the additional salt in the recipe.
Milk: any milk works. Here, I use two percent.
Kosher salt: omit the salt if using salted butter.

How to Make Cherry Coffee Cake

Delicious Cherry Coffee Cake is so easy to make with the help of a food processor. Start by lining a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and preheating your oven.

process shots showing how to make recipe including using a food processor to break up the butter and layering it into the baking pan.

Step 1: prepare the bottom layer

First, start by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor. Then, add in the cubes of butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse crumb.

Pour the mixture into a bowl and add in the beaten egg and milk. Mix until the batter just comes together.

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Don’t worry if there are chunks of butter in the batter at this point. Also, don’t wash out the food processor since you’ll need it for the streusel layer.

Step 2: pour into baking pan

Pour the bottom cake layer into a greased and lined baking pan. Use a spatula to spread evenly.

Step 3: top with cherry filling

Next, scoop dollops of the cherry pie filling on top of the cake layer. Gently spread it evenly over the batter until it covers the entire pan.

Step 4: make the streusel topping

Lastly, in the food processor, combine the remaining flour, brown sugar, and cold cubed stick of butter. Pulse just until a coarse crumb forms.

Distribute the streusel topping on top of the cherry layer. Spread evenly.

Bake in the middle rack of your preheated oven for about 40 minutes. You will know the Cherry Coffee Cake is done when the filling is bubbly and the streusel starts to brown.

Cherry Coffee Cake with a slice on a plate and a pan of coffee cake in the background.

Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut out slices of cake and serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

Recipe Tips

Lining your baking pan with parchment paper will allow you to remove the cake easily from the pan to cut into squares.
A food processor is the easiest and quickest way to cut the butter into the flour mixture. However, you can always use a pastry cutter or two butter knifes instead.
Be sure you are using cold cubes of butter. You will see small chunks of butter in the batter when you pour it into the pan.
Canned cherry pie filling can be found in the baking section of most grocery stores. Feel free to substitute other pie fillings such as apple or blueberry.
No need to wash the food processor out before using it for the streusel topping layer.
You will know the coffee cake is ready when you can see the cherry layer bubbling and the streusel layer starting to get golden brown.
Store leftover Cherry Coffee Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze for up to a month.

Slice of Cherry Coffee Cake on a white plate with a striped napkin in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a coffee cake?

The term “coffee cake” refers to a type of cake served with coffee, rather than a cake that is flavored with coffee. It is usually a moist cake that is topped with a streusel crumb and may including a filling made of fruit, nuts, brown sugar, or cream cheese.

How to store coffee cake?

To store coffee cake first allow it to cool completely. Then, place the cake in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Store the cake in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to a month. Let it come to room temperature before serving.

What to make with cherry pie filling?

If you have cherry pie filling and don’t want to use it to make a pie, you can use it for many other sweet treats. These include cherry turnovers, cherry cheesecake bars, a cherry bread pudding, or a cherry coffee cake.

Cherry Coffee Cake slice on a white plate with a striped napkin in the background.

More Coffee Cake Recipes

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