LEMON CHERRY CAKE

Lemon Cherry Cake image

Our family loves cherries, so this cake is the perfect way to end any meal. The combination of sweet cherries and lemon peel gives the yellow cake a distinctive flavor, and no one can resist the yummy cream cheese topping. -Janice Greenhalgh, Florence, Kentucky

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 12-15 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen pitted sweet cherries
3/4 cup butter, softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups whole milk
TOPPING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
3-1/2 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

Pat cherries dry with paper towels; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon zest and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk., Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with cherries. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., For topping, in a bowl, beat cream cheese, lemon juice and peel until smooth. Beat in enough confectioners' sugar until mixture achieves desired consistency. Cut cake; top each piece with a dollop of topping.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 448 calories, Fat 16g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 86mg cholesterol, Sodium 306mg sodium, Carbohydrate 71g carbohydrate (52g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.