Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Sheet Cake
A moist, dense sheet cake inspired by Detroit flavors, topped with tart cherries and toasted almonds for a nutty crunch. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 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 280 calories and feeds 12, 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
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup, melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries
- 1/3 cup, toasted sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup, for dusting powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 large eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
- Step 5: Fold 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries into the batter, distributing evenly.
- Step 6: Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds over the top of the batter.
- Step 8: Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and edges are golden.
- Step 9: Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes, then dust with 1/4 cup powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Detroit-Style Cherry Almond Sheet Cake take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Sheet 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 Sheet 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 Sheet Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Sheet 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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