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Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust. The result is a perfect crunchy cake topping over a light and airy cherry cake.
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Cherry Batter Cake

Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust when topped with boiling water. The result is a perfect crunchy topping over a light and airy cherry cake. 
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cherry batter cake, dark cherry cake, fresh cherry cake, fresh cherry recipes, magic cherry cake
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 278kcal
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

Fresh cherry cake

  • 4 cups fresh cherries
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 Tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

Crunchy Sugar Topping

  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup boiling water

Instructions

  • Combine pitted cherries with cornstarch; arrange in an 8 x 8 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
    Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust. The result is a perfect crunchy cake topping over a light and airy cherry cake.
  • For cake batter: cream softened butter and sugar. Add alternately milk and dry ingredients (flour, salt and baking powder). Mix until smooth. Stir in vanilla or almond extract (optional).
    Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust. The result is a perfect crunchy cake topping over a light and airy cherry cake.
  • Spread the cake batter over the cherries from edge to edge covering all the cherries.
    Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust. The result is a perfect crunchy cake topping over a light and airy cherry cake.
  • In a small bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Sprinkle over the cake batter in a thick layer.
    Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust. The result is a perfect crunchy cake topping over a light and airy cherry cake.
  • Pour boiling water over the sugar mixture until it is all moistened, approximately 1/2 cup.
    Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust. The result is a perfect crunchy cake topping over a light and airy cherry cake.
  • Bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown.
    Cherry Batter Cake is so much fun to make! Fresh cherries are topped with cake batter and then sprinkled with a special sugar mixture that forms a magic crust. The result is a perfect crunchy cake topping over a light and airy cherry cake.

Notes

  • Be sure to pit your fresh cherries before adding to this magic cherry cake.  To make it easy, use a cherry pitter like this one.
  • I used dark sweet cherries for this fresh cherry cake. If you use tart cherries, you may want to add more sugar to the cake batter. 
  • If you choose to use frozen cherries, thaw them first and drain so that you don't get a soupy filling. 
  • This cherry cobbler recipe is very unique due to its crunchy topping.  To achieve this perfection, sprinkle the sugar mixture over top the cake evenly. Then, pour boiling water over the sugar mixture until it is all wet.  It will take approximately 1/2 cup boiling water.  You may not need the entire 1/2 cup; just use enough to wet the entire surface.
  • This cake is delicious on its own or serve this cake hot with vanilla ice cream (try our Grandma’s homemade version).
  • If you love this cake as much as we do, try our Blackberry and Peach versions!

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg