Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Coffee Cake
A tender, moist coffee cake with a crunchy almond topping and bursts of fresh cherry flavor, inspired by Detroit’s beloved bakery treats. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh pitted cherries, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 2: Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in 1/2 cup cold cubed unsalted butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup milk, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined – do not overmix.
- Step 4: Fold 1 cup fresh halved pitted cherries into the batter carefully to distribute evenly.
- Step 5: Pour batter into a greased 9-inch square baking pan and spread evenly.
- Step 6: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sliced almonds and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the batter.
- Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the cake is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Coffee Cake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Coffee Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Coffee Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Coffee Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Coffee Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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