Cherry Crumb Cake with Vanilla Glaze

The best kind of cherry crumb cake is a plush buttermilk cake, scented with almond and vanilla, and topped with a scattering of sweet dark cherries. Piled high with buttery crumbs and baked until beautifully golden, this is the cherry cake your summer needs. Recipe makes one 9-inch crumb cake.

Cut into the cake, and you’ll find each wedge bursting with juicy cherries. Whether you enjoy this cake for dessert or weekend brunch, there’s no better way to celebrate cherry season.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you need to bake this easy cherry crumb cake:

• Flour – Use all-purpose flour in this recipe.
• Sugar – The crumb topping and the cake both incorporate granulated sugar.
• Cinnamon – Adds a hint of cozy spice to the crumb topping.
• Salt – Enhances the flavor.
• Butter – The crumb topping and vanilla glaze both use melted butter. For the cake, use room temperature unsalted butter (room temperature butter is slightly cool to the touch and your finger will make a shallow impression).
• Almond extract – Pure almond extract flavors the crumb topping and the cake, a nice complement to the cherry layer.
• Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract flavors the cake and the glaze. My favorite is Rodelle Gourmet Vanilla Extract.
• Baking powder and baking soda – Gives the cake a lift. Both are necessary since the cake uses buttermilk.
• Eggs – The cake batter uses two large eggs plus one egg yolk for a tender crumb.
• Buttermilk – Use full fat buttermilk. The acidity helps activate the baking soda, which makes the cake super fluffy.
• Cherry preserves – Swirls of cherry preserves intensify the cherry flavor. I love Bonne Maman Cherry Preserves.
• Fresh cherries – A must for cherry cake! Fresh cherries are ideal. To prep the cherries for baking, remove the pits and slice in half with a sharp knife. You can also use frozen pitted cherries (no need to thaw, just add straight from the freezer).
• Powdered sugar – Makes a perfectly smooth glaze.
• Milk – A splash of milk makes the glaze easy to drizzle.

Prefer blueberries? Try my blueberry crumb cake recipe!

How to Make Cherry Crumb Cake

Springform Pan – Use a 9-inch springform pan. Brush the bottom and sides of the pan evenly with softened butter. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper.

Room Temperature Ingredients – For a smooth and uniform cake batter, room temperature ingredients are essential. Bring butter, eggs, egg yolk, and buttermilk to room temperature before beginning.

Crumb Topping – To make the crumb topping, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Add melted butter and almond extract, and toss mixture with a fork until crumbly. Chill topping until ready to use.

Cake – Full fat buttermilk and two large eggs plus one egg yolk ensure a golden and tender crumb for this cake. Pure almond extract paired with vanilla extract adds rich flavor, and swirls of cherry preserves topped with fresh cherries add a delicious cherry layer.

Baking Time – Bake cake for 65 minutes to 70 minutes, or until the top is golden and springs back to the touch, and a tester inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached. If the cake is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 40 minutes of baking.

Cooling Time – Transfer baked crumb cake to a wire rack and let cool for 30 minutes before removing the sides from the springform pan. Cool completely before glazing and serving.

Vanilla Glaze – Whisk together melted butter, salt, vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk in a small bowl. Drizzle vanilla glaze over crumb cake and let set before serving.

How to Store Cherry Crumb Cake

Store the baked crumb cake at room temperature overnight, or wrap well and refrigerate. Reheat crumb cake in a warm oven (300°F) before serving.

More cherry recipes you’ll love:

• Classic Cherry Pie
• Brown Butter Cherry Coffee Cake
• Cherry Almond Galette
• Mixed Berry Cherry Slab Pie

Did you try this Cherry Crumb Cake Recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment and rating below!

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