Name: Cherry Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 200 g All-purpose flour; 150 g Granulated sugar; 3 Large eggs; 100 g Unsalted butter, melted; 100 ml Whole milk; 2 tsp Baking powder; 1 tsp Vanilla extract; 0.25 tsp Salt; 400 g Fresh cherries, pitted; 1 tbsp Confectioners' sugar

A delightful and rustic French-style cake, often referred to as 'Gâteau aux cerises', featuring a tender, buttery crumb studded with juicy fresh cherries. This simple yet elegant dessert is perfect for celebrating cherry season and embodies the charm of traditional French home baking. Gâteau aux cerises is a beloved simple French dessert, a classic way to celebrate the cherry season, particularly in regions renowned for their cherry production. While variations exist, this particular 'gâteau' implies a more traditional cake texture, distinguishing it from the flan-like Clafoutis. It embodies rustic French baking, valuing fresh, seasonal ingredients and comforting flavors.

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 23cm (9-inch) round cake pan or line with parchment paper.
2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs until light and frothy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4
Gradually add the wet ingredients (egg mixture) to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5
Gently fold in the melted butter and whole milk until a smooth batter forms.
6
Carefully fold in the pitted fresh cherries into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
7
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread evenly.
8
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
9
Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then carefully invert it onto the rack to cool completely.
10
Once cooled, dust generously with confectioners' sugar before serving.

Chef's Tips

•Store Gâteau aux cerises at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen, well-wrapped, for up to 3 months.
•Feel free to substitute cherries with other seasonal stone fruits like pitted plums, apricots, or a mix of berries. For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
•For an extra burst of flavor, you can macerate the pitted cherries in a tablespoon of kirsch (cherry brandy) for 30 minutes before folding them into the batter. Drain them well before adding.
•Fun Fact: While 'Gâteau aux cerises' refers to a traditional cake, the more widely known French cherry dessert is Clafoutis, which is technically a flan-like custard. Both, however, wonderfully celebrate the peak of cherry season!