Cherry Cheesecake Coffee Cake

Prepare to be absolutely delighted by this sensational Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Recipe! It’s a true masterpiece, combining the vibrant tang of cherry pie filling with a rich, hidden layer of cream cheese, all crowned with an unbelievably easy and utterly delicious streusel crumb topping. This cake isn’t just a treat; it’s an experience that promises to become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.

Imagine serving this tempting coffee cake with a steaming cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea. It’s perfectly suited for a leisurely breakfast, an elegant brunch gathering, or as a show-stopping dessert. The classic pairing of cherries and cream cheese is simply divine, creating a harmony of flavors that is both comforting and exciting. If you’re as passionate about cream cheese desserts as we are, you’ll love exploring other delights like our Easy Cherry Cheesecake Cookie Cups and the truly exceptional OMG! Heavenly Cherry Cheesecake Swirl Brownies!

There’s something inherently delightful about incorporating cream cheese into dessert, transforming a simple cake into a rich, moist, and utterly heavenly creation. This coffee cake embodies that perfectly. Each bite offers a delightful interplay of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.

What Makes This Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Irresistible?

• A Creamy Dream: The luscious cream cheese filling is artfully swirled throughout the coffee cake, ensuring a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience with every single delicious forkful. It’s the unexpected surprise that elevates this cake from good to extraordinary.
• Perfect Flavor Harmony: The timeless combination of sweet cherries and tangy cream cheese is simply unbeatable. This dynamic duo creates a balanced flavor profile that is both decadent and refreshing. It’s a combination that truly no one can resist!
• The Crunch Factor: Crowned with a generous and crunchy streusel topping, this coffee cake offers an enticing textural contrast to the soft cake and creamy filling. The buttery, spiced crumbs add another layer of temptation, making each bite even more satisfying.
• Impressive Yet Effortless: This cake is the ideal choice for weekend entertaining or when you simply want to treat your family to something special. It looks incredibly impressive, yet the recipe is surprisingly straightforward, allowing you to create a showstopper without all the fuss.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Coffee Cake

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking this incredible Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake. We’ve broken them down by component to make your preparation seamless.

For the Golden Streusel Topping

• All-purpose flour
• Brown sugar (packed)
• Granulated sugar
• A pinch of salt
• Cinnamon for warmth and spice
• Unsalted butter, melted

For the Velvety Cream Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese, softened to room temperature for easy, smooth mixing
• Granulated sugar
• One large egg

For the Luscious Cherry Layer

• One can of cherry pie filling (21-ounce can recommended for convenience, or make your own!)

For the Moist and Tender Coffee Cake Base

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cold, unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch cubes (crucial for texture!)
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Greek yogurt or sour cream (adds moisture and a tender crumb)
• Two large eggs
• Vanilla extract for a hint of aromatic sweetness

How to Bake Your Own Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

1. Prepare Your Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8 or 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. This step is crucial for easy release. If you’re using an 8-inch pan, expect a slightly thicker cake that will bake higher. For peace of mind, place a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil underneath your springform pan to catch any potential leaks during baking.

Crafting the Perfect Streusel Topping

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, both granulated and brown sugars, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. Incorporate Butter: Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until the mixture resembles wet sand with plenty of delightful big chunks. Avoid smoothing it out. Place the streusel mixture in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the cake; this helps maintain its crumbly texture during baking.

Preparing the Silky Cream Cheese Filling

1. Beat Cream Cheese: In a separate bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. This ensures a uniform, creamy filling.
2. Combine with Sugar and Egg: Add the granulated sugar and the egg, beating just until thoroughly combined. Do not overmix. Set this filling aside.

Assembling the Moist Coffee Cake

1. Mix Dry Ingredients & Butter: In a large bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter. Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), eggs, and vanilla extract until well blended.
3. Gently Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the flour and butter mixture. Gently stir until just incorporated. The dough will be noticeably thick.
4. Layering the Cake: Spread about half of the coffee cake batter evenly into the bottom of your prepared springform pan. Gently push the batter up the sides of the pan to create a slight border, about half an inch high. Carefully pour the cream cheese filling into the center of the batter, spreading it out but trying not to go past the created border. Next, spoon the entire can of cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese layer. Take a knife and gently swirl through the cherry and cream cheese layers about 8-10 times, creating beautiful patterns.
5. Add Streusel: Generously sprinkle the chilled streusel topping over the entire coffee cake, ensuring an even layer.
6. Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes for an 8-inch pan or 50-55 minutes for a 9-inch pan. The cake is done when a cake tester or the tip of a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. If the streusel starts to brown too quickly, lightly tent the top of the cake with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
7. Cooling: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before releasing the springform sides and serving. This resting period helps the cake set properly.
8. Storage: Store any leftover coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and flavor.

Homemade Cherry Pie Filling: An Optional, Fresh Twist

While canned cherry pie filling offers convenient simplicity, you can certainly elevate this cherry cream cheese coffee cake recipe by making your own from scratch. It adds an extra layer of fresh, vibrant flavor that is truly special!

• Ingredients for Homemade Cherry Pie Filling: You’ll need 1 ½ cups of fresh (or frozen, thawed) pitted cherries, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 3 teaspoons of water, and 1 ½ teaspoons of cornstarch.

1. Cook Cherries and Sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cherries and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries begin to release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch to create a smooth slurry.
3. Thicken Filling: Add the cornstarch slurry to the cherries in the saucepan. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until the filling has thickened to your desired consistency.
4. Cool Before Use: Remove the homemade cherry pie filling from the heat and allow it to cool completely before spreading it over the cream cheese layer in your coffee cake.

Expert Tips for Coffee Cake Perfection

• Utilize a Food Processor: If you own a food processor, it’s an excellent tool for quickly preparing both the streusel topping and cutting the cold butter into the coffee cake batter. If not, a pastry cutter or two forks will work just fine, though it may take a little more arm work to achieve that coarse, crumbly texture.
• Ensure Thorough Baking: It can sometimes be tricky to tell if desserts with fillings are fully baked. The center should feel set and not excessively jiggly. If it still wobbles significantly when gently shaken, it needs more time in the oven.
• Watch for Browning: Bake for the recommended 50-65 minutes (depending on pan size) or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. If you notice the streusel topping browning too much before the cake is fully cooked, loosely tent the top of the pan with aluminum foil. This will protect the streusel while allowing the cake to finish baking through.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your cream cheese and eggs for the filling (and eggs for the cake batter) are at room temperature. This allows them to incorporate smoothly, preventing lumps and ensuring a uniform batter and filling.
• Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients for the coffee cake batter, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough and dry cake. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!

More Cherry Dessert Inspirations

If you’re a fan of the delightful taste of cherries, you’ll love these other recipes:

• Sour Cherry Cobbler Coffee Cake
• Red Tart Cherry Crumble Pie
• Cherry Cheesecake Poke Cake
• Chocolate Cherry Oreo Dessert
• Cherry Cream Cheese Biscoff Delight

Discover More Delicious Coffee Cakes

Love the comfort of a good coffee cake? Explore these other fantastic recipes for your next baking adventure:

• Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake
• Banana Cream Cheese Bread
• 4 Amazing Apple Coffee Cakes
• Apple Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
• Cinnamon Swirl Streusel Coffee Cake (9×13 Pan)
• Best Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake
• Apple Crumb Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
• 20 Dessert Recipes Using Greek Yogurt!
• Starbucks CopyCat Coffee Crumb Cake Recipe (with Blackberries)

We hope you enjoy baking and sharing this delightful Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake! Its layered flavors and comforting textures make it a perfect treat for any moment. Don’t forget to leave a comment below to let us know how your cake turned out!

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