Cherry Cake

The perfect dessert for warm summer days or moments of indulgence, the cherry cake brings a touch of freshness and sweetness in every bite. This simple and delicious recipe, which can be prepared quickly, combines the flavors of the fruits with a fluffy texture, resulting in a dessert that everyone will love. Let's start the culinary adventure!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 200 g sugar
- 120 ml milk
- 1 packet baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar with vanilla paste
- 210 g flour
- 300 g pitted cherries
- Powdered sugar (for decoration)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the cherries:
Start by washing the cherries and removing the pits, if they are not already pitted. Place them in a sieve and let them drain well. This step is essential to prevent the cake from becoming too wet.

2. Creating the cake base:
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter (at room temperature) together with 3-4 tablespoons of sugar. Continue mixing until you achieve a smooth and fluffy cream. This is the base of the cake, so make sure the butter is well incorporated.

3. Adding the egg yolks:
Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This will help aerate the mixture, making the cake fluffier.

4. Incorporating the liquid ingredients:
Once the yolks are well integrated, gradually add the milk, baking powder, and powdered sugar with vanilla. Mix on low speed to avoid splattering the ingredients.

5. Beating the egg whites:
In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until you achieve a firm foam. This is a crucial step, as the beaten egg whites will give the cake a light texture.

6. Combining the ingredients:
In the yolk mixture, add 150 g of flour and mix on low speed. Then, carefully fold in the beaten egg whites, mixing with a spatula to avoid losing air from the mixture. Finally, add the remaining flour, mixing gently. The batter should be slightly thicker than a loaf cake, providing stability.

7. Preparing the baking pan:
Grease a tart pan with margarine and line it with parchment paper. This will prevent the cake from sticking and make it easier to remove after baking.

8. Initial baking:
Pour the batter into the pan and place it in the preheated oven at 180°C for 7 minutes. This will create a solid base for the cherries to rest on.

9. Adding the cherries:
After 7 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and place the well-drained cherries on top. This step is essential to allow the cherries to integrate into the cake, giving it a delicious flavor.

10. Final baking:
Put the cake back in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top turns golden and the cake is well baked. You can check if it's done by using a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is perfectly baked.

11. Cooling and serving:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Before serving, dust it with powdered sugar for an elegant appearance!

Serving suggestions:
This cherry cake is delicious both plain and with a scoop of sour cream or vanilla ice cream on the side. Give it a touch of freshness with a vanilla sauce on top!

Nutritional benefits:
Cherries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins (such as vitamin C), and minerals, offering numerous health benefits, such as improving sleep and reducing inflammation. Therefore, this cake is not just a sweet treat but also a healthier choice!

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other fruits? Absolutely! You can experiment with cherries, raspberries, or peaches to vary the flavor.
2. How can I make the cake less sweet? You can reduce the amount of sugar by 50 g and add a few more cherries for a delicious contrast.
3. What if I don't have powdered sugar with vanilla? You can use regular sugar and a splash of vanilla extract to achieve the same flavor.

Possible variations:
For a more sophisticated cake, you can add some ground almonds to the batter or glaze the cake with melted chocolate sauce after it cools. These small changes can completely transform the dessert and give it a personal touch!

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left is to get started! Whether it's a gathering with friends or a family evening, the cherry cake will surely be the star of the table. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 3 eggs, 100 g butter, 200 g sugar, 120 ml milk, 1 packet of baking powder, 1 pinch of salt, 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar with vanilla pods, 210 g flour, 300 g pitted cherries, powdered sugar.