Cherry Almond Coffee Cake Recipe

Almond flour: A gluten-free alternative to traditional flour, providing a nutty flavor and moist texture.

Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cake, balancing the tartness of the cherries.

Butter: Provides richness and moisture, helping to create a tender crumb.

Eggs: Act as a binding agent, giving structure to the cake.

Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a sweet, aromatic note.

Cherries: Fresh, pitted, and halved, they add bursts of juicy sweetness throughout the cake.

Sliced almonds: Add a crunchy texture and complement the almond flour.

Baking powder: Helps the cake rise, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.

Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.

When creaming together the butter and sugar, ensure the butter is at room temperature. This allows it to incorporate more air, resulting in a lighter and fluffier cake. Additionally, when folding in the cherries and sliced almonds, do so gently to avoid deflating the batter. This helps maintain the cake's structure and ensures even distribution of the fruit and nuts.

• almond flour - Substitute with coconut flour: Coconut flour is also gluten-free and has a similar texture, but you may need to adjust the liquid content as it is more absorbent.

• sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index and can be used in a 1:1 ratio.

• softened butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that provides a similar texture and moisture.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. This is a good vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can add a complementary flavor to the almond flour and sliced almonds in the recipe.

• pitted and halved cherries - Substitute with blueberries: Blueberries provide a similar burst of flavor and moisture, and they pair well with almonds.

• sliced almonds - Substitute with chopped pecans: Chopped pecans offer a similar crunchy texture and nutty flavor.

• baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar: Use ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar to replace 1 teaspoon of baking powder.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral content.

• To keep your cherry almond coffee cake fresh and moist, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer a chilled treat, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before serving to enjoy its full flavor.

• For longer storage, freezing is a great option. First, allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack. This step is crucial to prevent condensation and ice crystals from forming, which can affect the texture.

• Once cooled, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap. Ensure that every part of the cake is covered to avoid freezer burn. For added protection, wrap it again in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag.

• Label the package with the date and contents to keep track of its freshness. The cherry almond coffee cake can be frozen for up to 3 months.

• When you're ready to enjoy your cake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the cake's texture and flavor.

• For a quicker option, you can also thaw the cake at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back that freshly-baked warmth.

• If you prefer a crispier texture, reheat the cake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This will revive the cake's delightful crumb and make it taste as if it just came out of the oven.

• Enjoy your cherry almond coffee cake with a hot cup of coffee or tea, and savor every bite of this delightful gluten-free treat!

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the cherry almond coffee cake on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. This method helps maintain the cake's moist texture and enhances the almond flavor.

• Microwave Method: Place a slice of the coffee cake on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check the temperature and heat in additional 10-second intervals if needed. Be cautious not to overheat, as it can make the cake rubbery.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the cake on a piece of parchment paper or directly on the toaster oven rack. Heat for about 8-10 minutes. This method is great for achieving a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and moist.

• Steaming Method: If you have a steamer, this method can keep the cake incredibly moist. Place the cake on a heatproof plate and set it in the steamer. Steam for about 5-7 minutes. This method is particularly effective if the cake has dried out a bit.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the cake in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes. This method can give the cake a slightly crispy edge while keeping the inside tender and moist.

• Oven: Used to bake the coffee cake at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).

• Baking pan: Holds the batter while it bakes in the oven, ensuring the cake takes shape.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine and mix the ingredients together.

• Hand mixer: Helps in creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, and in mixing the eggs and other ingredients.

• Spatula: Useful for folding in the cherries and sliced almonds into the batter.

• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate measurement of dry and wet ingredients like almond flour, sugar, and butter.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure smaller quantities of ingredients like vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt.

• Toothpick: Used to check if the cake is done by inserting it into the center and seeing if it comes out clean.

• Wire rack: Allows the cake to cool completely after being removed from the baking pan.

• Grease brush: Used to grease the baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all ingredients ahead of time to streamline the baking process.

Use a stand mixer: A stand mixer can save time when creaming butter and sugar and mixing batter.

Prep cherries in advance: Pit and halve the cherries the night before to save time on baking day.

Line the pan: Use parchment paper to line the baking pan for easy cleanup and quick removal.

Room temperature ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier mixing.