Michigan cherries are in season and if you are lucky enough to be in the Traverse City area, baskets full can be found in abundance at every farm stand. You will also see cherry trees as far as the eye can see, since that area of northern Michigan produces 75% of the word's cherries.
To celebrate Michigan cherry season, I decided to make something using this beautiful and delicious fruit that would show off its vibrant color and taste. I found an old Martha Stewart Living recipe for Cherry Coffee Cake that I have adapted to suit my needs, by making a couple of changes. Instead of using tart cherries, I am using sweet Michigan cherries and as usual, to fit my diabetic standards, I have used Splenda white baking sugar, as well as Splenda brown sugar, for the crumb topping.
The sweet cherry taste was a perfect coffee cake flavor and this would be pretty enough to serve when entertaining. Fresh, local, in season fruit, makes any recipe better!
Low Sugar Cherry Coffee Cake
For the topping:
4 T butter, melted
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup Splenda baking sugar
1/4 cup Splenda brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
For the cake:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick butter, softened
3/4 cup Splenda baking sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup low fat milk
2 cups sweet cherries, pitted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 9 inch round baking pan, dust with flour and tap out excess.
In a medium bowl, stir together topping ingredients; butter, flour, sugars, salt and cinnamon. Set topping aside.
In another medium bowl, using mixer, cream butter and sugar, until pale and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Working in alternating batches, add flour mixture and milk. Beat until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and smooth with spatula. Dot top with cherries and sprinkle with crumb topping.
Bake until golden and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool before cutting. Enjoy!
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Coastal Charm
Yum, wish I had it now with my coffee on my porch! I make something similar with cherries - a cherry clafouti. It is also delicious! I love cherries! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious. And yes, loving the cherries this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI love fresh cherries xo Laura
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds delicious. John and I thank you for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to be in Michigan last year and sampled the cherries, they're so good! I live in Ontario, I have never seen Michigan cherries here, only ones from Washington, would love to have some now!
ReplyDeleteI love cherries! Your cake looks delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteYUMMMY!!! Love cherries and they are sooooo good for you!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteThe cherries this year are amazing! I feel a little like Dr. Seuss's green eggs and ham. I love those cherries Sam I am. I will eat them in a cake, I will eat them by the lake. I will eat them from a bowl, I will eat them in a roll... You get the picture.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so yummy....thanks so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the Scoop Linky Party....ugh I just want to dive right into this coffee cake!! I love cherries and there is nothing I enjoy more than that amazing crumb topping!!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
This looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteSherry