This Cherry Almond Cake is a soft, buttery cake infused with almond extract and studded with juicy cherries. Topped with a light glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar, it’s a perfect dessert for brunch, tea time, or any celebration!
For the Cake:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup whole milk or buttermilk
1 teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh, frozen (thawed and drained), or maraschino cherries, halved or chopped
1 tablespoon flour (for tossing cherries)
For the Almond Glaze (Optional):
¾ cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon almond extract
Optional Toppings:
Slivered almonds (toasted)
Extra cherries for garnish
Powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round or square cake pan (or line with parchment paper).
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add almond and vanilla extracts.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined—don’t overmix.
Toss cherries with 1 tablespoon flour (this helps keep them from sinking). Gently fold them into the batter.
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake.
Serve warm or at room temperature with coffee or tea.
Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Add a handful of toasted almonds on top for crunch and flavor.
Pat cherries dry to avoid excess moisture in the cake.
Almond flour can replace ¼ cup of regular flour for extra almond flavor.
A little lemon zest adds a lovely contrast to the cherry sweetness.
Skipping the flour coating on cherries – they’ll sink to the bottom.
Overmixing – results in a dense cake.
Overbaking – keep an eye on it to avoid dryness.
Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days—bring to room temp before serving.
Freeze slices (wrapped well) for up to 2 months.
Enjoy your Cherry Almond Cake — a charming dessert that’s rich in flavor and perfect for sharing!
Find it online: https://bakesbliss.com/cherry-almond-cake/