Imagine sinking your teeth into a moist, decadent cake that perfectly balances the rich crunch of walnuts with the sweet-tart burst of cherries, all held together by a tender, tangy yogurt base. This isn't just another ordinary cake - it's a culinary adventure that will transform your baking game and impress everyone from casual home bakers to discerning dessert lovers. Get ready to create a show-stopping treat that's both elegant and comfortingly homemade!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup pitted cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a dense cake.
- Gently fold in 3/4 cup of the chopped walnuts, reserving the remaining 1/4 cup for topping.
- Carefully fold in the pitted cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining chopped walnuts over the top of the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing.
- Once cooled, slice and serve. The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking.
- Don't overmix the batter - stop stirring as soon as the dry ingredients are incorporated to keep the cake tender.
- Pat the cherries dry before adding them to prevent excess moisture in the cake.
- For extra flavor, toast the walnuts lightly before chopping and adding to the batter.
- Check the cake's doneness early - ovens can vary, so start checking around 45 minutes of baking.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- For a more decadent version, consider adding a light glaze or dusting with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 40mg
