Cherry Cake (2)

Cherry Cake: a delicious and flavorful recipe

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8-10

Cherry cake is a classic dessert that brings a touch of freshness and sweetness to any occasion. This cake is perfect for fruit lovers and is an excellent way to bring a bit of summer to autumn or winter meals. By using canned cherries, we achieve a moist texture and intense flavor without too much effort.

Before we start, let’s familiarize ourselves with the ingredients and discuss some helpful tips.

Ingredients

- 800 g canned cherries (one jar)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 2 tablespoons oil (for a richer flavor, you can use sunflower or olive oil)
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 200 ml cream (can be store-bought or homemade)
- Chocolate flakes for decoration (optional)

Ingredient details

1. Cherries: Choosing canned cherries is essential, as they are already cooked and full of flavor. Make sure to drain them well before use to avoid a soggy cake.

2. Eggs: It’s important that the eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation into the mixture.

3. Sugar: Use granulated sugar, but for an extra flavor, you can opt for vanilla sugar.

4. Flour: Wheat flour is the most suitable, but you can also experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour, depending on your dietary preferences.

5. Cream: If you want to add a more intense flavor, you can add vanilla essence to the cream before whipping it.

Step by step

Step 1: Preparing the cherries
Start by draining the cherries from the can in a colander, letting them drain well. Then, place them in a pot with a diameter of about 24 cm. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of sugar over them and place the pot on low heat. Gently stir until the sugar melts and the cherries start to release juice. This will impart a delicious flavor to the cake.

Step 2: Preparing the batter
In a large bowl, separate the egg whites from the yolks. Beat the yolks with 6 tablespoons of sugar until the mixture lightens in color and thickens, forming bubbles on the surface. Add the 2 tablespoons of warm water and the oil, mixing well.

Step 3: Incorporating the flour
Sift the flour over the yolk mixture and gently mix with bottom-to-top movements to avoid losing air in the mixture. It is essential to maintain an airy mixture to achieve a fluffy cake.

Step 4: Whipping the egg whites
In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Then, carefully fold them into the yolk mixture using the same bottom-to-top technique.

Step 5: Baking
Pour the batter over the prepared cherries in the pot. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 35 minutes. You will know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Caution: Avoid opening the oven door in the first 25 minutes to prevent the cake from sinking.

Step 6: Cooling and decorating
After baking, let the cake cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, carefully turn it onto a serving plate. Here’s my original contribution: if you’re impatient, you can start decorating with cream, but make sure the cake is completely cooled. Otherwise, the cream will melt. You can add chocolate flakes on top for an elegant look and extra flavor.

Serving suggestions

The cherry cake is delicious served plain or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside. You can also accompany this dessert with a fruit tea or fresh lemonade.

Possible variations

If you want to add a touch of originality, you can try adding some chopped nuts to the batter or using other canned fruits like peaches or apricots.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use fresh cherries?
Of course! Just make sure to pit them and cook them a little before using them to achieve a similar flavor.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe by 1-2 tablespoons or use a natural sweetener.

3. What can I use instead of cream?
You can opt for Greek yogurt or mascarpone, mixed with a little sugar and vanilla.

Nutritional benefits

Cherry cake is a good source of antioxidants due to the cherries, which can help strengthen the immune system. Additionally, the eggs provide quality protein, and the oil offers essential fatty acids. It is a dessert that, when consumed in moderation, can be included in a daily diet.

In conclusion, cherry cake is a simple yet sophisticated dessert that brings joy to any moment. I invite you to prepare it and share this delicacy with your loved ones. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a family evening, this cake will surely impress!