Cherry Coffee Cake

This buttery coffee cake is filled with cherry pie filling and topped with the most delightful crumb topping. Cherry Coffee Cake will make even the gloomiest of mornings bright, and best of all, this easy cherry coffee cake is made from scratch, not a cake mix.

Some mornings it’s just easier to get out of bed than others.  This cherry filled coffee cake may give you some motivation on those rough ones.  It has a buttery cake bottom, a cherry pie filled center, then it’s topped with more butter cake and a crumb topping that will part the cloudiness in your sleep deprived fuzzy morning mind.

Okay — it might not be that much of a miracle worker — but it can’t hurt, right?  

Cherry Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping

This cherry crumb cake recipe is the kind of traditional coffee cake you’ll want to bake again and again. It starts with a soft, rich cake batter made with sour cream, almond extract, and real butter. A can of cherry pie filling becomes the delicious center, layered between two portions of batter and topped with a buttery streusel topping. Bake it in a 9×13 cake pan and serve it warm with a cup of coffee—it’s pure comfort.

If you love this cherry coffee cake recipe, you’re sure to enjoy these, too: Fresh Rhubarb Cake, Cinnamon Crunch Coffee Cake and my recipe for Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cake with Brown Butter Glaze.

Cherry Filled Coffee Cake Recipe

There’s something nostalgic and downright cozy about an old-fashioned cherry coffee cake with crumb topping. Maybe it’s the cherry pie filling, maybe it’s the almond extract, or maybe it’s just that every bite tastes like a little hug. This is the kind of cake that’s perfect for brunch, potlucks, or an afternoon treat.

Even better? It’s a great dessert to make ahead. You can cover the cake with plastic wrap once cooled and keep it on the counter, or freeze individual slices in an airtight container. Either way, it keeps beautifully.

Ingredients in Cherry Coffee Cake Recipe

For the full recipe with exact measurements, scroll to the bottom of this post for the printable recipe card.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy cherry coffee cake from scratch:

• All-purpose flour – standard purpose flour gives the cake its structure.
• Baking powder and baking soda – this combination gives the cake just the right lift and texture.
• Granulated sugar – for sweetness in both the batter and the crumb topping.
• Unsalted butter – make sure it’s at room temperature for the cake; melt it for the crumb topping.
• Eggs – large eggs at room temperature mix best into the batter.
• Sour cream – adds moisture and a little tang; plain yogurt can be used as a substitute.
• Almond extract – brings out the flavor of the cherry filling.
• Cherry pie filling – a full can of cherry pie filling adds sweetness and vibrant cherry flavor.

Be sure to keep reading for tips, substitutions, and storage ideas for this delicious cherry coffee cake.

How to Make Cherry Coffee Cake from Scratch

This cherry pie filling coffee cake comes together quickly and bakes into a golden brown beauty. Here’s how to make it:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease and flour a 9×13 prepared baking dish. Set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.

In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, eggs, sour cream, and almond extract using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment.

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated.

Pour half of the batter into the bottom of the prepared baking dish in an even layer.

Spread the can of cherry pie filling on top of the batter, keeping it about 1/2-inch from the sides of the pan. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough on top of the cherry filling and use an offset spatula to gently spread it out—some cherry should peek through.

In a small bowl or medium bowl, combine the crumb topping ingredients: flour, sugar, and melted butter. Use a fork or pastry cutter to mix until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top of the batter.

Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake layer comes out clean.

Cool slightly before slicing and serving. This cherry crumb cake is best enjoyed warm with a cup of coffee!

To store leftovers: Once cooled, cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. The cake keeps at room temperature for 2–3 days or can be refrigerated for longer freshness.

To freeze: Slice into portions and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this cherry coffee cake recipe, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

Substitutions

This easy cherry coffee cake recipe is perfect as-is, but here are a few substitution ideas:

• Sour cream – can be substituted with plain Greek yogurt.
• Almond extract – use vanilla extract if you prefer a more neutral flavor.
• Cherry pie filling – if you want this to be 100% from scratch, use a homemade cherry pie filling.

FAQs About Cherry Coffee Cake

• Can I make this cherry coffee cake ahead of time? Yes! It stores well at room temperature for a few days or can be made the night before and refrigerated.
• Can I freeze this coffee cake? Absolutely. Once cooled, wrap individual slices and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling? Yes, especially during cherry season! Just cook them down first with sugar and a bit of cornstarch.

Tips & Tricks

• Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture.
• Don’t skip greasing and flouring the sides of the pan.
• Let the cake cool slightly before cutting to help it set.
• Use an offset spatula to gently spread the top layer of batter.
• Store in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap.

More Recipes to Love

If you love this cherry-filled coffee cake, give these cherry recipes a peek: White Chocolate Cherry Cookies, Cherry Pie Jell-O Salad, Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts, Cherry Limeade Sweet Rolls or my Cherry Dessert recipes.

Check out these coffee cake recipes too: Banana Bread Coffee Cake, Applesauce Coffee Cake or this Old Fashioned Sour Cream Coffee Cake (pictured above).

If you’re looking for the best coffee cake to serve with your morning cup of coffee or as a weekend treat, this easy cherry coffee cake from scratch checks every box. It’s layered, buttery, loaded with cherry filling, and topped with a sweet crumb topping that bakes up golden brown. Whether you’re making it for breakfast, dessert, or to share, this cherry crumb cake recipe is one of those favorite recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

This recipe was originally posted on September 8, 2019. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on April 7, 2025.