Coffee & Crumb Cakes

CHERRY CRUMB CAKE

Makes 1 (8-inch) cake

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.

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 (454 grams) fresh cherries, pitted
Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray an 8-inch springform pan with baking spray with flour. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper, and spray pan again.

2. 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.

3. 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. Arrange cherries in an even layer on top of batter. Sprinkle with Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping.

4. 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 cover and refrigerate for up to 6 days.

GINGER-LIME CRUMB TOPPING

Makes about 1 cup

¾ cup (94 grams) all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
⅓ cup (76 grams)