Sour fruit cake of the season

To prepare a delicious cherry and apricot cake, we will start by separating the eggs. In a large bowl, we beat the egg whites with a mixer until we achieve a firm foam. It is essential to add the vanilla sugar and a pinch of salt, as these will help stabilize the foam, giving it an airy and fine texture. Make sure the egg whites are beaten well enough to form stiff peaks that do not collapse when turned upside down.

In another bowl, we take very soft butter and mix it with sugar until we obtain a fluffy cream. It is important that the butter is at room temperature, as it will incorporate more easily. We add the egg yolks, one at a time, continuing to mix to perfectly integrate them into the composition. This step will add a rich flavor and creamy texture to our cake.

The next step is to combine the beaten egg whites with the butter cream. We carefully pour the egg white foam over the butter and egg yolk mixture, folding gently with a spatula in an up-and-down motion to maintain the airiness of the batter. Then, we add the yogurt and the vanilla and lemon essences, mixing once more to integrate them.

Finally, we will add the flour mixed with baking powder. It is important to sift the dry ingredients well to avoid lumps. We gently mix until we obtain a homogeneous composition, which we will set aside for a few moments while we prepare the fruits.

Meanwhile, we prepare the baking tray, lining it with parchment paper. We place the pitted cherries and quartered apricots in the tray. Over the fruit, we sprinkle the other packet of vanilla sugar, which will add a sweet and aromatic note. Then, we pour the cake batter over the fruit, making sure to cover it evenly.

From the batter, we reserve a few tablespoons, which we mix with cocoa powder, creating a chocolate paste. This will add a visual and taste contrast. Using a spoon, we carefully pour the cocoa paste over the white batter, then use the handle of the spoon to marble the two colors, creating an artistic effect.

After we finish preparing everything, we place the tray in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius and let it bake for about an hour. It is important to check the cake from time to time to ensure it bakes evenly. Once the cake is ready, we take it out of the oven and let it cool in the tray for a few minutes, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely.

Before serving, we dust the cake with powdered sugar, adding an elegant look and extra sweetness. This cherry and apricot cake is perfect to be enjoyed alongside a cup of tea or coffee, making it an ideal dessert for any occasion. Enjoy every slice, savoring the delicious combination of fresh fruits and fluffy batter!