Ditch the extravagant garnishes and towering layers for this simple and sophisticated one-layer cake that is guaranteed to impress. With a layer of cherries baked beneath the Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping, our elevated take on the cherry-limeade cake (a summertime classic) is even more beautiful after you cut into it. You’ll get a juicy burst of cherry in every bite.
Cherry Crumb Cake
Makes 1 (8-inch) cake
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (55 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (100 grams)
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) almond extract
- 1½ cups (188 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup (60 grams) whole buttermilk
- 1 pound (455 grams) cherries, pitted
- Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping (recipe follows)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour an 8-inch springform pan. Line pan with parchment paper; butter and flour pan again.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugars at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with an offset spatula. Top with an even layer of cherries. Sprinkle with Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping.
- Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 6 days.
Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping
Makes about 1 cup
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (94 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (76 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (28 grams) chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons (4 grams) lime zest
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon (1.5 grams) kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients until mixture is crumbly. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
What kind of cherries should be used for the Cherry Crumb Cake recipe? Thank you.
Hi Mary Gibbs-
Any type of cherries would work fine! We suggest Bing Cherries for this recipe. Happy Baking!
Is it possible to use frozen cherries in this recipe? I’m having a hard time finding fresh at this time.
Thanks!
Hi Nicole,
thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is fine just be sure to de-thaw the cherries before adding them into the recipe. Happy Baking!
Loved this one.
This is quite possibly the best cake we have ever eaten. I used real buttermilk, fresh cherries and served it with cherry vanilla ice cream. Everyone loves it.
Has anyone tried freezing this cake?