Imagine waking up to the most irresistible aroma of freshly baked coffee cake, where tangy tart cherries dance with a buttery streusel topping that'll make your taste buds sing! This isn't just another coffee cake - it's a culinary experience that transforms an ordinary morning into an extraordinary celebration of flavor. Whether you're a baking enthusiast or a weekend brunch hero, this Tart Cherry Streusel Coffee Cake is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup tart cherries, pitted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Gradually pour in the milk and mix until the wet ingredients are fully incorporated with the dry ingredients, creating a smooth cake batter.
- Gently fold the pitted tart cherries into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- For the streusel topping, combine brown sugar, rolled oats, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the entire surface of the cake batter.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the coffee cake cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality tart cherries for the most vibrant flavor. If fresh aren't available, frozen cherries work beautifully (just thaw and drain first).
- Make sure your butter is truly softened, but not melted, for the perfect cake texture. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Don't overmix the batter - mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender and light.
- For the streusel topping, use cold butter and work quickly to create those delightful, crumbly texture.
- Check the cake's doneness by inserting a toothpick - it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld and the texture set perfectly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 85mg
