Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake
A luscious cherry swirl coffee cake with tender layers and a sweet cherry filling, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert for family gatherings or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a bowl, blend sugar, eggs, butter, shortening, baking powder, and extracts on low speed.
- Increase to high speed and whip for 3 minutes.
- Stir in flour.
- Spread 2/3 of the batter over the bottom of a greased 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch jelly roll pan.
- Spread cherry pie filling over the batter in the pan.
- Drop remaining tablespoons of batter over all.
- Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes or until golden.
- While baking, prepare a glaze of 1 cup confectioners sugar and 1 or 2 tablespoons milk.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using unsalted butter instead of shortening. You can substitute the cherry pie filling with blueberry or apple filling if desired. Make sure to blend the ingredients thoroughly to ensure a light texture. To make it even more festive, add a sprinkle of chopped nuts on top before baking for added crunch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake warm or at room temperature, drizzled with the glaze for extra sweetness. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea, making it an excellent choice for brunch or dessert. Consider serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad for a refreshing contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze for up to three months. To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake contains roughly 985 calories, with 5g protein, 57g carbohydrates, and 80g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (12% of the Daily Value), calcium (11% of the Daily Value), and protein (10% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries! Simply pit and slice about 2 cups of fresh cherries, and mix them with a bit of sugar and cornstarch to create a filling. This will enhance the flavor and provide a fresher taste compared to canned pie filling.
What if I don't have almond extract?
If you don't have almond extract, you can substitute it with an equal amount of vanilla extract for a different flavor profile. Alternatively, a few drops of coconut extract can also add a unique twist to your Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake.
How can I make this recipe healthier?
To make a healthier version, consider using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and reduce the sugar by a third. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of some of the butter for added moisture and protein, similar to how it's done in Low-Fat Apple Muffins.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).