Cherry Almond Streusel Coffee Cake

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This easy cinnamon streusel coffee cake uses fresh cherries and almonds for a sweet and crunchy twist on a classic breakfast. Perfect for beginner bakers.

A slice of cherry almond coffee cake shows the layer of big fresh cherries on the bottom and the crumbly streusel topping on top.

I grew up in a very German area of Wisconsin. Coffee Cake or "kaffee kuchen" was a staple for holiday and weekend breakfasts.

Traditionally, we had a cinnamon and pecan flavored cake my mom would most often pick up at the grocery store.

Once in a while she'd make a box mix version at home. The best ones always had a cinnamon streusel topping. 

This week is Cherry Week in the Dahle household. We are neck deep in our annual cherry delivery from Handyman Tim's beloved Uncle Tim.

You can find 30 of our favorite fresh cherry recipes right here. This cherry almond cinnamon streusel coffee cake is To Die For.

The Peanut just sampled it and said: "Mom, this tastes even better than it smells and it SMELLS AMAZING." 

This cherry almond cinnamon streusel coffee cake has a buttery topping that is To Die For! Such an easy way to use up fresh cherries from the farmer's market.

Why This is the Best Recipe

Warm buttery roasted almonds mixed in with cinnamon, butter, and sugar. All sitting on top of a thick fresh cherry filling, what could be better??

I love how the almonds gave the dish a nice crunchy texture but the cake itself is the real hero: crazy light and airy.

It makes the store bought cakes I've enjoyed before feel like bricks!

Ingredients

The cinnamon streusel coffee cake recipe comes together with very few ingredients and in very little time.

If the fruit is already prepared, you could have this made in under an hour on a weekend morning. 

  • Fresh Cherries: You need fresh, pitted cherries, not cherry pie filling. The fresh cherries can be frozen and used in this recipe, too. Learn how to freeze fresh cherries when they're in season here.
  • Eggs
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking Powder
  • Almond Extract
  • Lemon Zest
  • Cinnamon
  • Roasted Almond Slices: See the note below

How to Make the Roasted Almond Slices

The recipe calls for roasted almond slivers. I've been using them in practically everything all week long.

It only takes 10 minutes to make a big batch, then keep them in an airtight container for using as needed.

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Spread the almond slices on a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Toss them around once or twice and keep cooking them until they are deep golden brown.

How to Make the Streusel Topping

Streusel topping makes everything better, doesn't it??

Simply place the butter, flour and sugar together in a small bowl. Mash them together with a fork or use your fingers to pinch it together until it looks like rough crumbs.

Add the cinnamon and almonds and stir again.

If you want to make streusel topping in advance, here are a few extra tips:

How to Bake the Coffee Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch baking pan with butter and pour the pitted cherries into the bottom of the pan.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time and stir on medium until just blended.

Add the almond extract and lemon zest and stir to combine.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.

Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture with your mixer on low. Stir until just combined. The batter will be especially thick.

Using a spatula, spoon the batter gently over the cherries and spread the top so the dish is coated evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top of the batter.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick pressed into the cake (but not the cherries below!) comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Let cool 10 minutes or more before serving so the cake has a chance to set.

The perfect way to use up a big batch of cherries from the farmer's market this summer! This cherry almond cinnamon streusel coffee cake is so easy to make. YUM.

More Cherry Recipes

📖 Recipe

A slice of cherry almond coffee cake shows the layer of big fresh cherries on the bottom and the crumbly streusel topping on top.

Cherry Almond Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

4.34 from 6 votes
This crunchy-topped coffee cake is filled with bright red fresh cherries and is a delicious treat to serve for your next brunch.
TOTAL TIME 50 minutes
PREP TIME 10 minutes
COOK TIME 40 minutes
YIELD 6 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Streusel:

  • 2 tbsp butter chilled
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 roasted almond slices

For the Coffee Cake:

  • 3 cups fresh cherries pits removed
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Instructions

To prepare the streusel:

  • Place the butter, flour, and sugar in a small bowl. Mash together with a fork, or use your fingers to pinch it together, until the mixture looks like rough crumbs. Add the cinnamon and stir to combine. Add the almonds and stir. Set aside.

To prepare the coffee cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with butter. Pour the prepared cherries into the bottom of the dish.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time and stir on medium until just blended. Add the almond extract and lemon zest and stir to combine.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
  • Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture with your mixer on low. Stir until just combined. The batter will be especially thick.
  • Using a spatula, spoon the batter gently over the cherries and spread the top so the dish is coated evenly. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top of the batter.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick pressed into the cake (but not the cherries below!) comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes or more before serving so the cake has a chance to set.

Recipe Notes

Roasted Almond Slices:

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the almond slices on a cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Toss them around once or twice and keep cooking them until they are deep golden brown.
COURSEBreakfast
CUISINEAmerican

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This amazing cinnamon streusel coffee cake has a fun cherry almond twist! Use fresh or frozen cherries and layer them underneath a buttery delicious cinnamon streusel topping. YUM.

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