Easy Homemade Cherry Coffee Cake with Buttery Crumb Topping
Imagine waking up to the delightful aroma of a freshly baked coffee cake, its buttery layers enveloping a luscious cherry filling, all crowned with a golden, crisp crumb topping. This Cherry Coffee Cake isn’t just a treat; it’s a celebration, designed to make even the gloomiest mornings feel bright. Best of all, this easy recipe is made entirely from scratch, promising a homemade taste that no store-bought mix can replicate.
Some mornings require a little extra motivation, and this cherry-filled coffee cake delivers just that. It features a wonderfully rich, buttery cake base, generously filled with sweet and tangy cherry pie filling, then topped with another layer of that tender cake and a heavenly crumb topping. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors – the soft cake, the gooey cherry, and the crunchy streusel – guaranteed to awaken your senses and provide a comforting start to your day.
While it might not solve all of life’s daily challenges, a slice of this homemade cherry coffee cake certainly brings a moment of pure bliss. It’s the perfect companion to your morning coffee or tea, a delightful brunch centerpiece, or a satisfying afternoon snack. Let’s dive into how you can create this magnificent dessert in your own kitchen.
The Ultimate Cherry Coffee Cake Experience
This cherry crumb cake recipe embodies the essence of traditional coffee cake, elevating it with thoughtful details and high-quality ingredients. The foundation is a soft, moist cake batter, enriched with the luxurious tang of sour cream, the warm sweetness of almond extract, and the unparalleled richness of real butter. Layered within this tender cake is a vibrant can of cherry pie filling, providing a burst of fruity sweetness that complements the cake perfectly. The grand finale is a generous, buttery streusel topping, baked to golden perfection.
Prepared in a standard 9×13-inch baking pan, this cake is ideal for sharing with family and friends. Serve it warm, perhaps with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, alongside a steaming cup of coffee for an ultimate comfort food experience. Its inviting aroma and irresistible taste make it a staple for any gathering or a simple indulgence.
If you’re fond of this cherry coffee cake recipe, you’ll surely love exploring other delightful variations. Consider trying a Fresh Rhubarb Cake for a seasonal twist, the cozy comfort of Cinnamon Crunch Coffee Cake, or the autumnal flavors of my Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cake with Brown Butter Glaze. Each offers a unique spin on the beloved coffee cake tradition.
A Timeless Cherry Filled Coffee Cake Recipe
There’s an undeniable charm and heartwarming nostalgia associated with an old-fashioned cherry coffee cake with crumb topping. Perhaps it’s the juicy sweetness of the cherry pie filling, the subtle, complementary notes of almond extract, or simply the comforting feeling each tender bite evokes. This is more than just a cake; it’s a hug in baked form, perfect for leisurely Sunday brunches, festive potlucks, or an intimate afternoon treat.
What makes this recipe even better is its fantastic make-ahead potential. Once cooled, you can easily cover the entire cake with plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for a couple of days. For longer enjoyment, individual slices can be frozen in an airtight container, allowing you to savor a piece of this deliciousness whenever a craving strikes. It truly keeps beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prep or future enjoyment.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cherry Coffee Cake
Crafting this delightful homemade cherry coffee cake requires a handful of common pantry staples, each playing a crucial role in achieving its perfect texture and flavor. For the precise quantities and detailed instructions, remember to scroll to the bottom of this post for the printable recipe card. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to create this easy cherry coffee cake from scratch:
- All-purpose flour: This fundamental ingredient provides the necessary structure for the cake, ensuring it’s tender yet holds its shape beautifully.
- Baking powder and baking soda: The dynamic duo of leavening agents. This combination works together to give the cake its ideal lift and airy, tender texture, preventing it from being too dense.
- Granulated sugar: Essential for sweetness, contributing to both the rich cake batter and the crunchy, golden crumb topping.
- Unsalted butter: The star ingredient for a truly buttery flavor. It should be at room temperature for the cake batter to cream smoothly and melted for the crumb topping to bind the streusel.
- Eggs: Large eggs, also at room temperature, help emulsify the batter, adding moisture, richness, and contributing to the cake’s structure.
- Sour cream: A secret weapon for moisture and a subtle tang. Sour cream makes the cake incredibly tender and rich, while also balancing the sweetness. Plain Greek yogurt can be used as a convenient substitute.
- Almond extract: This powerful extract beautifully enhances the natural flavor of the cherry filling, creating a harmonious and sophisticated taste profile.
- Cherry pie filling: A full can of this sweet and vibrant filling forms the heart of our cake, providing a juicy, flavorful center that makes this coffee cake truly special.
Keep reading for invaluable tips, creative substitutions, and practical storage ideas to ensure your delicious cherry coffee cake is a resounding success every time you bake it.
Baking Brilliance: How to Make Cherry Coffee Cake from Scratch
This cherry pie filling coffee cake comes together with surprising ease, transforming into a beautiful golden-brown masterpiece. Follow these simple steps for a truly rewarding baking experience:
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your 9×13-inch baking dish by thoroughly greasing and flouring it. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your cake releases perfectly. Set the prepared dish aside.
In a large bowl, combine all your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Sifting these together ensures an even distribution and prevents lumps, contributing to a smoother batter.
In a separate, equally large mixing bowl, begin to cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Then, incorporate the room temperature eggs one at a time, followed by the sour cream and almond extract. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for best results, ensuring everything is well combined.
Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough cake.
Pour approximately half of the prepared cake batter into the bottom of your greased and floured baking dish, spreading it into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
Next, carefully spread the entire can of cherry pie filling over the first layer of batter. Be sure to leave a small border, about 1/2-inch from the sides of the pan, to prevent the filling from touching the edges and potentially burning or sticking during baking. Then, drop spoonfuls of the remaining cake batter over the cherry filling. Using an offset spatula, gently spread this top layer of batter, allowing some of the vibrant cherry filling to peek through. This creates a beautiful marbling effect and ensures a moist, fruity bite throughout the cake.
Now for the irresistible crumb topping! In a small or medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and melted butter. Use a fork or a pastry cutter to mix these ingredients until coarse, distinct crumbs form. This gives you that delightful streusel texture. Evenly sprinkle this crumb mixture over the top of the batter in the baking dish.
Bake your cherry coffee cake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the crumb topping is beautifully golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake layer comes out clean. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it.
Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before slicing and serving. This resting period helps the cake set, making it easier to cut into neat portions. This cherry crumb cake is truly at its best when enjoyed warm, perhaps with another fresh cup of coffee!
Storage and Freezing Tips for Long-Lasting Freshness
To store leftovers: Once the cake has completely cooled to room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. It will remain fresh and delicious at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you wish to extend its freshness, you can refrigerate it for up to a week.
To freeze: This coffee cake freezes beautifully! Slice the cooled cake into individual portions. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer bag or container. This method helps prevent freezer burn. You can freeze the slices for up to 2 months, making it perfect for having a convenient treat ready whenever you desire.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If you’re as enamored with this cherry coffee cake recipe as we are, don’t let it slip away! Make sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you navigate away. This way, you’ll always have this fantastic homemade coffee cake recipe at your fingertips for future baking sessions!
Creative Substitutions and Variations
While this easy cherry coffee cake recipe is absolutely delightful as written, there’s always room for personal touches and creative variations. Here are a few ideas to customize your cake:
- Sour cream alternatives: If sour cream isn’t available, plain Greek yogurt (full-fat for best results) makes an excellent 1:1 substitute. It provides similar moisture and tanginess, ensuring your cake remains tender and flavorful.
- Flavor extract options: While almond extract wonderfully complements the cherries, if you prefer a more classic or neutral flavor, vanilla extract can be used instead. For an adventurous twist, a hint of lemon zest or orange extract could also brighten the profile.
- Homemade cherry pie filling: For those who love to bake entirely from scratch, using a homemade cherry pie filling will take this cake to an even more personalized level. You can control the sweetness and spice, making it uniquely yours.
- Other fruit fillings: Feel free to experiment with other canned fruit fillings such as apple, blueberry, or even peach for a different fruity coffee cake experience.
- Nutty additions: For an extra layer of texture and flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping or even mixing a small amount into the cake batter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Coffee Cake
- Can I make this cherry coffee cake ahead of time? Absolutely! This cake is perfect for making in advance. It stores wonderfully at room temperature for a few days, or you can bake it the night before and refrigerate it. Simply allow it to come to room temperature or gently warm it before serving.
- Can I freeze this coffee cake? Yes, indeed! Once completely cooled, wrap individual slices tightly and freeze them for up to 2 months. This makes it super convenient for a quick breakfast or dessert whenever you need it.
- Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling? Yes, especially when fresh cherries are in season! However, you’ll need to prepare them first. Cook fresh pitted cherries with a bit of sugar and a thickener like cornstarch until they’ve softened and thickened into a filling consistency. This ensures the cake doesn’t become too watery.
- How do I prevent the crumb topping from sinking? Ensure your streusel mixture is coarse and crumbly, not too wet. Also, don’t press it down onto the batter; simply sprinkle it evenly. The batter’s consistency and the streusel’s texture are key.
- What if I don’t have sour cream? As mentioned in substitutions, plain, full-fat Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream, offering a similar tang and moisture.
Pro Tips & Tricks for Baking Success
Achieving the perfect homemade coffee cake is easier with these expert tips:
- Room temperature ingredients: Always use room temperature butter and eggs for the cake batter. This ensures they cream together smoothly and evenly, resulting in a lighter, more consistent cake texture.
- Proper pan preparation: Don’t skip thoroughly greasing and flouring the sides of your baking pan. This prevents the cake from sticking and makes for easy removal.
- Cooling is key: Allow the cake to cool slightly (at least 15-20 minutes) before cutting into it. This allows the cake to set, making clean slices much easier and preventing the layers from falling apart.
- Gentle spreading: When spreading the top layer of batter over the cherry filling, use an offset spatula and be very gentle. You want to cover the filling without disturbing it too much, allowing some of that beautiful cherry to still peek through.
- Airtight storage: To maintain freshness and prevent your cake from drying out, always store it in an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap once it has completely cooled.
- Don’t overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix only until just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dry cake.
More Delightful Recipes to Love
If this cherry-filled coffee cake has captured your heart, you’ll be thrilled to discover these other fantastic cherry recipes. Give these a peek for more fruity inspiration: White Chocolate Cherry Cookies, a vibrant Cherry Pie Jell-O Salad, refreshing Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts, irresistible Cherry Limeade Sweet Rolls, or explore my general Cherry Dessert recipes collection.
And for those who simply can’t get enough of coffee cake, don’t miss these other comforting recipes: a hearty Banana Bread Coffee Cake, a wholesome Applesauce Coffee Cake, or the classic Old Fashioned Sour Cream Coffee Cake (pictured above, a truly timeless choice).
Ultimately, if you’re searching for the best coffee cake to grace your morning cup of coffee, serve at a special brunch, or simply enjoy as a comforting weekend treat, this easy cherry coffee cake from scratch is an absolute winner. It boasts layers of tender, buttery cake, an abundant and flavorful cherry filling, and is crowned with a sweet, golden-brown crumb topping that adds the perfect crunch. Whether you’re baking it for a special occasion or just to brighten an ordinary day, this cherry crumb cake recipe is destined to become one of those cherished favorites you’ll return to time and time again.
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Cherry Filled Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping
Equipment
-
9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish with a Lid
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 sticks butter (1 cup) softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon good quality almond extract
- 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
For the Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 6 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a 9z13 baking dish.
-
Sift together: flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar.
-
With a mixer, cream together butter, sour cream, almond extract and eggs.
-
Slowly add in sifted dry ingredients, and mix until incorporated.
-
To prepare the crumb topping, mix ingredients together with a fork.
-
Spread half of cake batter into the bottom of your prepared 9×13 baking dish.
-
Top with can of cherry pie filling.
-
Spoon remaining batter over the top, and gently spread it out.
-
Top with crumb topping.
-
Bake for 40 minutes, or until top is baked and golden brown. Let stand before cutting.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on September 8, 2019. It has been updated to improve user experience, enhance SEO, and reshared on April 7, 2025.
