German Streusel Cake With Cherries

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Wash and pit fresh cherries to make about 1 1/2 cups (about 1 pound) and save any juice that comes off the fruit.

3. Step 3

   Measure juice from cherries and add water or juice to make 1 1/2 cups.

4. Step 4

   Prepare pudding according to the directions, but with juice, NOT milk. ​If you do not have pudding mix, combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, 4 tablespoons of sugar and some vanilla extract and cook into a pudding.

5. Step 5

   After pudding thickens, stir in cherries and cook for one minute. Remove from heat and set aside while you prepare the streusel.

6. Step 6

   In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, and baking powder.

7. Step 7

   Add cold butter chunks and the eggs. Mix by either rubbing the ingredients together with your hands as for pie dough or use a mixer on low speed until crumbs form.

8. Step 8

   Preheat oven to 350 F.

9. Step 9

   Assemble the streusel cake: Press 2/3 of the crumbs into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a buttered, 9-inch springform pan . Make sure the dough is packed and no holes are visible. ​​If you do not have a springform pan, use a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan or maybe 2 (8-inch) pie pans.

10. Step 10

    Pour the fruit on top of the unbaked crust. Do not fill above your crust, even if you have filling left over.

11. Step 11

    Using the rest of the dough, crumble streusel over the top.

12. Step 12

    Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Cool completely before serving or the filling will be runny.

13. Step 13

    You can sprinkle a little confectioners' sugar over the top for a nice presentation.

14. Step 14

    Serve with whipped cream or ice cream and enjoy!