Cherry Swirl Almond Crumble Coffee Cake

Cherry Swirl Almond Crumble Coffee Cake

Here's another flavor combination in our growing collection of coffee cakes. This delicious almond and vanilla flavored cake gets a swirl of sweet cherry compote through  the cake before being topped by a buttery almond shortbread crumble. This is one more addition to the many brunch ideas on Rock Recipes. Check out our Pinterest board of Best Brunch Ideas for more ways to make a favorite weekend meal truly special.

Cherry Compote

2 cups pitted cherries

½ cup sugar

3 tbsp water

Simmer together for only a few minutes.

Stir together:

1 ounce water

1 rounded tbsp corn starch

Add quickly to the simmering cherries stirring constantly. Cook for only a minute before taking off the heat and allowing it to cool to almost room temperature.

 
Coffee Cake

Sift together and set aside:

2 2/3 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment in place, whisk together on high speed until foamy and slightly stiffened.

2 eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp almond extract (optional)

Mix together in a measuring cup with a spout:

1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Slowly add the oil and butter mixture to the egg mixture in a slow stream as the mixer continues to whisk.

Mix together

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup milk

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Add slowly to the mixing bowl continuing to mix but at a reduced speed.

Fold in the dry ingredients by hand with a rubber spatula being careful not to over mix. Don't worry about lumps in the batter, they are fine.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 10 inch springform pan. Dot the surface of the batter, a heaping tablespoon at a time with

1 1/2 cups Cherry Compote

using the handle of a wooden spoon, swirl the cherry compote through the batter. 

Almond Shortbread Crumble

1/3 cup ground almonds
2/3 cup flour
1/3 cup butter
½ tsp vanilla extract

Pulse together in a food processor or rub the butter into the flour with your hands until fully incorporated.

Add the crumble topping by squeezing together handfuls of the crumb mixture and breaking off small pieces, which get scattered all over the surface of the batter.  You can also add in some slivered almonds and a few extra cherry pieces with the crumble for an extra flourish of garnish. 

Bake for 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees F or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The toothpick test is definitely the best way to ensure that this cake is fully baked. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.