This Cherry Coffee Cake is the perfect treat for breakfast or dessert. The buttery and moist cake has cherry pie filling and a sweet streusel. The combination of flavors and textures will have everyone asking for another slice.
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Cherry pie filling is an excellent addition to desserts like cherry pie and cherry crisp. But did you know you can use it in breakfast treats such as coffee cake and sweet rolls too?
This moist and delicious cherry coffee cake will make you forget all about regular coffee cake. Every bite has the perfect balance of soft cake and sweet pie filling.
I adapted the cake base from this strawberry snack cake but used a different pie filling and added a streusel layer this time.
Why You'll Love This Cherry Coffee Cake Recipe
Once you try this snack cake, you'll completely understand why we love it so much! The textures and flavors make it great for breakfast or dessert.
- This snack cake is easy to make with just a few bowls and one large pan.
- A can of cherry pie filling adds a sweetness that pairs well with the buttery cake and crisp streusel topping.
- Serve this sweet treat for breakfast or brunch. Or add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and then enjoy it for dessert.
- While the original recipe calls for cherries, make this recipe with your favorite pie filling. Have fun experimenting with different flavors.
What You Need
Use a few basic ingredients and a can of pie filling to make this simple coffee cake with sweet cherries.
Kitchen Tools
- 10x15 Baking Pan - (affiliate links) Great for jelly roll cakes or cookies.
- Mixing Bowls - Use for the batter and topping.
- Baker's Joy - Great nonstick baking spray to keep treats from sticking.
- Offset Spatula
Main Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter - Adds a rich flavor to the batter and topping.
- Sugar - This treat is sweet and moist when using granulated and light brown sugar.
- Large Eggs - Binds all the ingredients together.
- Baking Powder - Provides the lift as the cake bakes.
- All Purpose Flour - Adds structure to the batter. Learn how to measure flour correctly so your baked goods turn out every time.
- Cherry Pie Filling - Use 21 oz canned or 1 ½ cups homemade cherry pie filling for this recipe.
- Crumble Topping - A mixture of oats, flour, sugar, and melted butter makes an easy crumb topping. Add a little bit of cinnamon for a sweet and spicy flavor.
- Glaze - Whisk water and powdered sugar together to make a sweet drizzle.
BruCrew Tip: This snack cake is easy to customize. This apple butter crumble cake and this banana Nutella snack cake are two delicious options with the same base.
How to Make A Cherry Coffee Cake
Whether you serve it for breakfast or bring it to a special event, this easy cherry coffee cake will be a huge hit. It tastes fantastic, and you'll love how simple it is to make a special treat.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar at medium speed until the mixture becomes light and creamy. Then, add the eggs and mix again.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until a sticky dough forms.
- Spray a 10x15 baking pan with nonstick baking spray. Then, use an angled spatula to spread the dough evenly on the pan.
- Spread the pie filling over the top of the batter, leaving a 1-inch border all around the edges.
- In a separate bowl, stir the topping ingredients together, then sprinkle them over the top of the cake. Bake until golden brown.
- Place on a wire rack and cool completely before adding the glaze.
Storage Recommendations
Store leftover coffee cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can also wrap squares in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Tips and Tricks
- Spray the pan with a nonstick spray, such as Baker's Joy. This will make removing the cake from the baking sheet much easier.
- Use an angled spatula to spread the dough into the pan because it is very sticky.
- Stir one teaspoon almond extract into the canned pie filling before adding it to the cake layer.
- Leave a ½ inch border around the cake when the cherry filling is spread out. This way, the cake batter will bake up all around it.
- Use your favorite fruit filling to change up this easy cake.
- Let the cake cool completely before adding the glaze because a warm cake will make it melt.
FAQs
Yes! Coffee cake tastes better the next day. Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Absolutely! For a personalized twist, experiment with different fruit pie fillings like blueberry or raspberry.
Feel free to use fresh or frozen cherries to make a homemade pie filling for the top of this coffee cake.
More Coffee Cake Recipes
- Berry Coffee Cake
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake
- Banana Coffee Cake
- Cranberry Orange Coffee Cake
- Apple Crumble Cake
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Recipe
Cherry Coffee Cake
This Cherry Coffee Cake is the perfect treat for breakfast or dessert. The buttery and moist cake is topped with cherry pie filling and a sweet streusel. The combination of flavors and textures will have everyone asking for another slice.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 - 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
For the Topping
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup quick oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15x10 baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Spray with nonstick baking spray.
- Beat together the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and beat again.
- Stir together the salt, baking powder, and flour. Slowly add to the butter mixture until completely mixed in.
- Spread the dough in the pan even with a spatula. Top the dough with the pie filling.
- Mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, and melted butter. Sprinkle over the pie filling. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool.
- Mix together the powdered sugar and water. Drizzle over the cooled cake. Cut into 36 squares.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 183Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 145mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
This post was first published in August 2015. It was updated and then republished in February 2024.
Debbie
I would love to make this for a friend who loves all things cherry however i dont think she will eat a full pan by herself. Any suggestions on how i can half this or third even to make a smaller pan for just her?? I love your site, everything looks sooooo delicious!
Jocelyn
You could just cut everything in half and bake it in an 8x8 pan. Baking time should still be around 25-30 minutes. I hope your friend enjoys the cake.
Nancy
Question - 15x10 is a jelly roll pan. The picture makes it look much thicker than that. Does it really go in s jelly roll pan?
Jocelyn
I used a baking sheet that was 15x10...not a jelly roll pan. But if that's what size your jelly roll pan it, it will work. Just make sure to line it with foil.
Cindy
I just made this cherry crisp coffee cake and took a little taste off the corner, (tried to save for brunch tomorrow !) It was SOOOOO Delicious, I kept cutting little pieces off. I hope there will be some left for brunch. Thanks for the fabulous recipe. Next I am going to try the blueberry cream coffee cake.
Jocelyn
Woo hoo! I am so glad to hear that you loved the cake. Hopefully you were able to resist the rest and save it for your brunch 😉
Wendy
On one hand, how scary/embarrassing to be stuck in the dressing room. On the other hand, all of your hard work at exercise has certainly paid off. You were able to fit out through the crack in the door! 🙂 The benefits of exercise! I will have to be sure I have people to share these bars with when I bake them...I want to be able to squeeze out of the dressing room too, should I ever get stuck!
Jocelyn
As long as working out keeps me skinny enough to escape dressing rooms, I guess I'll keep going!
Kait @ Our Foodie Appetite
HAHA! Reminds me of a funny story that someone told me once. She was a worker at a tanning salon and she told me about a couple that came in to tan together. Well, the beds are automatic, so the tops come down automatically once you push the "start" button. Apparently, the boyfriend wasn't aware of this, so when he pushed the start button, he started screaming "I'm trapped!! LET ME OUT!" and many more profanities hahaha I will never forget that story! It sounds like you had a terrifying experience too, but at least you weren't caught in a bed that was literally baking your flesh 😉 lol
Jocelyn
Oh, my goodness that is hilarious! Although I always worry when I go tanning that something will happen like that!!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Love the glaze on this coffee cake and you cannot go wrong with cherry 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Yikes, so glad you didn't need to call your husband to get out after all 🙂 I can never seem to just grab one thing whenever I go for a grocery store run either. Love these coffee cake bars! I wish I had a few for breakfast!
Jocelyn
Yeah, it wouldn't have done any good to call him...he would just laugh and hang up on me. Better to think it through on my own 😉 I have tried to go in for one thing, but I just can't seem to do it!!!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin
Oh my gosh, how awful! 😮 I do have to admit it's a little funny though. Brave of you to share with all of us. 😉 Thanks for this recipe. Crispy and crunchy toppings are THE best.
Jocelyn
It's totally funny looking back at it...of course at the time I was slightly freaking out. LOL!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu
Oh talk about delicious! This cake looks so lovely, I love a good cherry treat! 🙂
Krystle
I heart the clearance racks <3
These look so heavenly, especially that oat crumble!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
Coffee cake is the best way to start the day!
Jocelyn
You won't find me arguing with you there!!!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
Ooh the cherry just makes it! I'm glad crumbly topping is your thing now, it makes everything better.
Jocelyn
I have to agree with you there!!!! So much better with crumbles!!!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert
I've been in such a cherry mood lately. This coffee cake is the perfect fix!
Jocelyn
It would definitely be the perfect dessert for you then 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Adding crumble topping is always a good thing! I wish I had a slice to go with my coffee!
Jocelyn
Lately I have been obsessed with crumble toppings...it just makes things so much better!!!
Marye
Oh my gosh, my husband would have been rolling. Much better to figure out a solution for yourself!
Jocelyn
That's kind of what I thought too!!!
Beth
Hahaha! I think might be terrified to go in the dressing rooms at our meijer now!!
Jocelyn
Just make sure you close the door very carefully!!! I know I will be from now on!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
Haha, great story. Way to make the best out of the situation 🙂
Jocelyn
Thanks 😉
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Oh man, my husband HATES it when things just "jump into my cart!" BUT, It's totally not my fault. It just happens 😉
This cake though. Anything with a crumbly topping has my HEART. Pinned!
Jocelyn
I get it...it's never our fault when things "jump" into the cart 🙂 And crumbly tops always get me too!!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
These bars look like the perfect treat to remind me that summer is in full swing, even if the kids in my area started school today! I love the cherry flavor and that crumbly topping, Jocelyn! Looks delicious!
Jocelyn
My kids are on their 4th week of school and I'm still not letting go of summer recipes. Although as soon as Sept hits, I'm going gang buster on apple and pumpkin, whether I feel like it or not!
Mir
Okay, that's kind of hilarious. I mean, not at the time. But it makes for a good story afterward. Sometimes I get trapped in the clothes I try on in the fitting room, and I have to wonder whether someone will have to come in all my humiliation and pull them off me. Luckily, I've managed to escape the clothes so far. 🙂
This looks incredibly good. That's what a trip to the store for butter will do. Make amazing cake!
Jocelyn
Oh, my goodness! Yes, I have had clothes trap me too! That totally sends me into a panic because who do you call?!?!?!