Cherry-Almond Cake (Step by Step Pics) ~ 800 th Post !!

Time just flies and its been a couple of years since am in blogging. Though I had a long break recently but nothing stopped me from trying out new dishes whether am cooking or blogging. And believe me, this is my 800th post !! Huh.. can't believe myself the numbers as its quite a big number to me. Never thought my passion of cooking would make me competent to showcase 800 tried and tested recipes in my space. Am happy with the love and feedback of my friends and readers that keeps me motivated always. Do keep them coming. Thanks a lot for all the love and consistent support, feeling happy to have you all around.

Its been so long since I posted some bakes and here comes a yummy moist cake made with fresh cherries and has a unique almond flour. This has been saved to my drafts since long and was made during our stay in US(when you get the fresh cherries in season there). The problem when adding a heavy fruit to cake is,it invariably sinks to the bottom and so preserve a few to top the cake. The only tedious job in making this cake is the pitting of cherries,if you have a tool go ahead and do with it. Else use a skewer to push the seeds down the center and make sure to place a bowl underneath so that it doesn't stain the counter top. This cake reminds me of the polka dot pattern, Isn't it? Anyways do give this a try if you get fresh cherries where you live. Am sure all will love it!!

Preparation time~25 minutes
Baking Time~ 35 minutes
Serves ~ a 8" cake
Ingredients
*wheat flour 1 cup
almond flour or almond meal 1/2 cup
baking powder 1.5 tsp
unsalted butter,at room temp 1/2 cup(8tbsp)
granulated white sugar 1.2 cups
eggs 2
fresh sweet cherries,divided 1.5 cups
vanilla extract 1 tsp
milk 1/3 cup
salt 1/4 tsp

Method

• Pre heat oven to 400 degrees F /190degrees C,spray the sides of a 8" or 9" spring form pan (preferably) but I used a 8"round pan.Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
• Melt the butter and leave to cool at room temperature.

• Wash,rinse and dry the cherries.Pit them and cut 1/3 of the total cherries in halves(place them on a paper towel so that the cherry juices are absorbed and doesn't dribble in the cake. Keep aside.And to the remaining cherries,cut in quarters which will be mixed in the cake batter eventually.

• In another bowl,add flours,ground almonds,sugar and salt. Sieve twice to mix it well.
• In another bowl using a hand mixer,whisk the eggs and sugar well until its thick and light coloured. To this add, vanilla extract,melted butter and milk.
• Add the flour mixture little by little and using a rubber spatula, gently mix the batter. Finally fold in the cherries and pour the mix in the prepared cake pan.
• Place it in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes,remove from oven and quickly arrange the halved cherries on top, return the pan to oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until golden brown or when the tooth pick comes out clean when pricked in the center of the cake(The total baking time for me was 35 minutes).
• Remove and cool on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or just like that. I served just like that, tastes yumm !

NOTES
* If you find the cake over browning then cover the top with a sheet of aluminium foil.
* I have adapted the recipe from joy of baking and the only change I made is using wheat flour instead of all purpose flour.Though the cake came out moist and delicious but not as spongy as a all purpose flour cake. So if you really wish to have a spongy feel, use maida (all purpose flour). I used Ashirwaad atta or wheat flour.
* The almond flour recipe is here in my space.

• You may also be interested to try out other cakes listed in this page. 

• Check out other fresh cherry recipes here in this link. 

Mini Cherry Pie (Step by Step Pics) | How to make pie crust from scratch??

Cherries are in season now and so caught hold of these cuties to prepare this scrumptious pies.Pies/pastries are my kids favorite any time and this time,I tried out these mini versions with cherries.This is handy and can  be easily served as individual portions.They liked (loved) this a lot and have demanded for more next time.These have a pastry like texture with the sweet cherry filling.I have tried a few recipes with cherry in  the previous years(listed below).You can prepare the pie dough well in advance and can be freezed or refrigerated.This will make the work easier.Do give this a try and enjoy !!

Adapted  joy of baking and here
Ingredients
for pie crust
all purpose flour 1 1/4 cup
butter 1 stick;cubed(113g)
sugar 1 tsp
salt 1/4 tsp
cold water 1 tbsp-3 tbsp

for filling
fresh cherries 2 cup
corn starch 2 tbsp
butter 2 tsp
sugar 1/4 cup
lemon juice 1 tsp
vanilla extract 1/2 tsp
salt a pinch

Method
for pie crust dough(holds good for 1* 9" pie pan)

• Sift the flour,salt and sugar until combined well.Add in the cubed butter and pulse if using a blender or food processor or using your hands,mix until the mixture is crumbly in texture.Pour water in the crumbled mixture so that the dough comes together when pinched(not a solid smooth ball).Transfer this onto a lightly floured surface and bring together to form a ball.Flatten this in a 5" circle and then cover with a cling wrap.Refrigerate for 30 minutes until its firm enough to roll out.

for making filling

• Wash and pit the cherries,cut in half.Mix the sugar,salt,corn starch,vanilla extract,lemon juice.Mix it well and let it sit for 10-15 minutes until its coated well.

for final assembling

• Pre heat oven to 400 degrees F and keep a muffins pan ready.
• Uncover the cling wrap and roll out the refrigerated dough on a lightly floured surface until 1/4 " thick.Using a 2 1/2 "-3" cookie cutter/lid ,cut out round shapes.Place these round shapes in the muffin cups by snuggling placing the edges.Place each cut out rounds in each cup.With the remaining dough,roll it again and cut out thin strips.
• Place a tbsp of filling in each and then using each strip place on top to give a cover/lattice.
• Place and bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 mins.Cool down completely and then using a knife run through the edges and scoop out on  a plate.
• Enjoy as a dessert or just like that !!

Servings ~6-7 pies

NOTES
*Double the quantity of pie crust dough and filling to makes 12 mini pies or you can make 1 large pie of 9" size.
* You can prepare the pie dough and can freeze over a month.Thaw the dough in refrigerator overnight before using.

RELATED POSTS
Cherry Lassi
Fresh Cherry Tartlets
Apple Pie
Mini Cheese cake(no bake)

Cherry Lassi

Summers has reached its peak by now in many places and everyone wishes to have something cold and refreshing to beat the heat,Isn't it?? Here the heat is increasing day by day now,and so made this flavorful lassi.Lassi is always an inviting drink to us and recently we started to get fresh cherries.So added these fresh cherries to the drink.There is no much change in the taste as such just added a unique color to it.Hope u all will give this a try & enjoy !!

More cherry recipes
Cherry tartlets
Mini Cherry pie

Ingredients
cherry pitted 15-20(3/4 cup puree)
yogurt 1 cup
water 1/2 cup
sugar as required

Method
-Wash the pitted cherries,and blend the cherries in a blender without water till smooth.
-Whisk the yogurt and water together.
-Add the blended cherries,sugar and yogurt mix.
-Pour in glasses & serve chilled  !!!

Servings~ 2 glasses

Sending this to Show Case -Fun in the Sun ,Love Lock with juices & milkshakes ,Lets Party-Fusion food

Fruit Chaat (Simple healthy recipe; kids delight)

Fruit chaat recipe is always in high demand in summers and truly a kids delight too.There are many ways to prepare this recipe and there is no standard principles as such.You can vary the chat as per your fruit availability and fruit choices.My kids love strawberries and recently they started liking cherries also.So,I included both of these varieties into this simple chat recipe.The taste is a real chatpata one.



Ingredients
chick peas boiled 1 cup
white shoepeg corn 1/2 cup (optional)
onion 1 small chopped
strawberry 10 sliced
cherries 10 destoned and sliced
chat masala 1 tsp
salt
lime juice 1 tsp



Method

• Boil the chickpeas with salt in a pressure cooker for 3 whistles, after soaking for 6hrs.
• Microwave the corn in a microwave safe bowl for 1 min on high.
• Slice the onion,strawberries and cherries,chat masala and salt.
• Add the lime juice and toss it well.
• Fruit chaat is ready to serve.

Servings 3 adults



CHERRY RECIPES

CHERRY LASSI

FRESH CHERRY TARTLETS

MINI CHERRY PIES

CHERRY ALMOND CAKE