Cherry cake

Cherry Cake: a delicious and easy-to-make dessert

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 75 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Today, I invite you to discover a cherry cake recipe, a quick and simple dessert that brings a touch of joy to your table. This cake is not only tasty but also an excellent way to use cherries, a fruit with a distinct flavor and impressive nutritional benefits. Let’s start the culinary adventure!

A brief story about cherry cake

The cake is a traditional dish, loved in many cultures, often associated with celebrations, family gatherings, and friends. Its origins are lost in the mists of time, and the diversity of recipes adds to the charm of this dessert. Those who love cherries will find in this cake a perfect combination of textures and flavors, while those who prepare it will discover an easy-to-adapt and personalize recipe.

Ingredients

- 1 cup sugar (about 200 g)
- 3 eggs
- 400 ml milk
- 1 cup oil (about 250 ml)
- 500 g flour
- 1 packet baking powder (about 10 g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 250 g cherries (fresh or canned)
- a pinch of salt
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice (for fresh cherries)

Necessary utensils

- 2 loaf pans (or one larger, depending on preference)
- A large mixing bowl
- A spatula or whisk
- A sieve for flour
- Baking paper
- A preheated oven

Step-by-step preparation

1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure you have all the ingredients at room temperature. This will help achieve a uniform and fluffy cake. If using fresh cherries, pit them and sprinkle with a few drops of lemon juice to prevent oxidation.

2. Beat the eggs with sugar: In a large bowl, add the three eggs and sugar. Using a whisk or mixer, beat them together until you achieve a fluffy, light-colored foam. This step is essential to ensure aeration of the mixture and, implicitly, a fluffy texture of the cake.

3. Add the wet ingredients: Next, add the milk and oil to the egg and sugar mixture. Mix well until everything is homogenized.

4. Incorporate the dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Mix the dry ingredients well before incorporating them into the wet mixture. This will ensure an even distribution of the leavening agent.

5. Combine the mixtures: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon. You should obtain a batter thicker than pancake batter. If the batter is too thick, add a little milk to thin it out.

6. Adding the cherries: Once the batter is well mixed, add the cherries and gently stir to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture.

7. Preparing the pans: Dust the two loaf pans with flour or use baking paper. This step will prevent the cake from sticking to the pans and will facilitate its removal after baking.

8. Pour the batter: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans, making sure not to fill them to the brim, leaving space for rising.

9. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the cakes for 10 minutes at this temperature, then reduce the temperature to 160 degrees Celsius and continue baking for 50 minutes. Check if they are baked using a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready!

10. Cooling: After the cakes are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn them out onto a sheet of white paper to cool completely.

Serving suggestions

The cherry cake is delicious served warm or at room temperature. You can sprinkle it with powdered sugar for a more elegant look or accompany it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Additionally, a chocolate sauce or lemon glaze would add an extra note of flavor.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use other fruits?
Of course! This recipe is versatile, and other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or apricots can be successfully used, each bringing a unique flavor.

2. How can I store the cake?
The cake stores well in aluminum foil or an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for a longer period.

3. Is this recipe vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute the eggs with a mixture of 1/4 cup of mashed banana or 1/4 cup of applesauce for each egg. Also, use plant-based milk and oil instead of regular oil.

Calories and nutritional benefits

One serving of cherry cake (about 100 g) contains approximately 350 calories. This dessert provides carbohydrates from sugar and flour, healthy fats from oil, and protein from eggs. Additionally, cherries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, having beneficial effects on the immune system and heart health.

Possible variations

To customize this recipe, you can add:

- Nuts or almonds for an extra crunch.
- Spices like cinnamon or vanilla for a more aromatic flavor.
- Cocoa to turn the cake into a chocolate-cherry version.

I hope you enjoy this cherry cake, a simple and flavorful recipe that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!