Cherry cake

Cherry Cake – A Summer Delight with Fresh Fruit Flavor

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 2-3 hours
Number of servings: 12

Welcome summer with a delicious cake that combines the sweet and tart flavors of fresh cherries! Cherry cake is a perfect choice for parties, family meals, or simply to indulge on a warm day. This recipe will not only delight your taste buds but will also add a splash of color to your table!

A Brief History of Cherry Cake

Cherries have been cherished throughout history not only for their divine taste but also for their health benefits. These fruits, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, have been used in various dishes, from jams to cakes, around the world. Cherry cake recipes have evolved over time, with each culture adding a personal touch. The cherry cake we will prepare today is a perfect combination of textures and flavors, a true feast for the senses!

Ingredients

For the base:

- 5 eggs
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 5 tablespoons of flour
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest
- A pinch of salt

For the cream:

- 400 ml sour cream
- 250 g cottage cheese
- 2 sachets of vanilla sugar
- 1 sachet of gelatin
- 200 g powdered sugar
- 400 g ripe cherries

For the jelly:

- 400 ml cherry syrup
- 2 sachets of jelly mix

Preparing the Cherry Cake – Step by Step

Step 1: Preparing the base

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. Prepare a baking tray of your desired size and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy. Add the grated lemon zest and continue mixing. Gradually incorporate the sugar, mixing at high speed until the mixture becomes firm and glossy.
3. In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with the oil until you achieve a smooth cream. Gently fold the yolk mixture into the egg whites using a spatula to avoid losing air.
4. Finally, add the sifted flour and gently mix until well combined.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared tray and bake for 20 minutes, or until the base is golden and passes the toothpick test.

Step 2: Preparing the cherries

1. Wash the cherries and remove the pits. This can be easily done with a fruit pitter or a small knife, but if you don’t have a special tool, you can use a wide-mouth bottle: push the cherry against the bottle's mouth to remove the pit.
2. Place the cherries in a saucepan, add 200 g of sugar and 100 ml of water. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes until the cherries become tender and a syrup starts to form. After boiling, strain the cherries, keeping the syrup for the jelly.

Step 3: Preparing the cream

1. In a bowl, mix the sour cream with the cottage cheese, vanilla sugar, and powdered sugar until you achieve a smooth mixture.
2. Hydrate the gelatin in 100 ml of cold water, then melt it in a water bath. Once melted, add it to the cheese cream and mix well.

Step 4: Assembling the cake

1. Cut the baked base into two equal parts. Place the first part of the base on a platter or in an adjustable form.
2. Pour the cheese cream evenly over the base, then sprinkle the cooked cherries on top, making sure they are well drained of syrup.
3. Add the second half of the base on top and lightly soak it with the remaining cherry syrup.
4. Prepare the jelly from the remaining cherry syrup, boiled with the jelly mix according to the package instructions. Carefully pour it over the cake, ensuring it distributes evenly.
5. For a wow factor, you can decorate the cake with whole cherries, making sure to remove the pits beforehand.

Step 5: Cooling and serving

1. Refrigerate the cake for at least 2-3 hours to set the cream and jelly.
2. Once cooled, cut the cake into desired shapes and serve with a smile!

Practical Tips for a Perfect Result

- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting. This will help achieve a lighter texture.
- Do a taste test with the cherries before adding them to the cake. If they are too tart, you can add a little extra sugar.
- If you want to add a special touch, you can drizzle the base with a little cherry liqueur or rum before adding the cream.
- The jelly can be colored with a little food coloring for a more vibrant look, but this is optional.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits

This cherry cake is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. Cherries are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and have anti-inflammatory properties. A serving of cake (approximately 100 g) contains about 250 calories, but also provides an energy boost from the carbohydrates in the added sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other fruits instead of cherries?
Of course! This recipe is versatile and can be adapted with other seasonal fruits such as peaches, plums, or raspberries.

How can I make the cake less sweet?
Reduce the amount of sugar in the cheese cream or use a natural sweetener instead of sugar.

What drinks pair well with cherry cake?
A fresh lemonade or a fruit tea are excellent choices that complement the cake's flavor. Additionally, a sweet white wine can add a touch of refinement.

Conclusion

This cherry cake is more than just a simple dessert; it is an invitation to summer, a celebration of natural flavors and aromas. I encourage you to get cooking and share this delicacy with your loved ones. Whether you enjoy it with a cup of tea or serve it at a special occasion, each slice will bring a smile to the faces of those who taste it. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: dough: 5 eggs, 5 tablespoons of sugar, 5 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of oil, a teaspoon of grated lemon zest, a pinch of salt cream: 400 ml of sour cream, 250 g of cottage cheese, 2 packets of vanilla sugar, one packet of gelatin, 200 g of powdered sugar, 400 g of ripe cherries jelly: 400 ml of cherry syrup, 2 packets of cake jelly.

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