This is more cake than cheesecake, but it includes cream cheese, too, plus luscious layers of fruit and crumb topping. Feel free to experiment with different quality preserves--this would be delicious in a multitude of variations.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: almond, cake, cheese, cherries, cream cheese, springform pan
Author: Beth Cato
Equipment
9-inch springform pan
parchment paper
Ingredients
2 1/2cupsall-purpose flour
1cupwhite sugar divided
3/4cupcold unsalted butter cubed
1/2teaspoonbaking powder
1/2teaspoonbaking soda
1/4teaspoonsalt
1cupvanilla yogurt or sour cream, 8 ounces
2large eggs
1teaspoonalmond extract
8ouncescream cheese 1 box, softened
1cupcherry preserves
1/2cupslices almonds
Instructions
Preheat oven at 350-degrees. Cut a parchment round to fit the bottom of the springform pan. Apply nonstick spray or butter on bottom of sides of pan, add the parchment, then grease it as well.
In a big bowl, mix flour with 3/4 cup of sugar. Cut in butter until it is crumbly. Measure out 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping; set aside.
To the bulk of the flour mix, add baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in yogurt, 1 egg, and almond extract, until blended. Spread batter onto bottom of the springform pan.
In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and egg, to make it as smooth as possible. It's okay if it still has some clumps. Pour it onto the pan and smooth out. Spoon the preserves all across the top. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb topping and the sliced almonds.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. The middle should no longer be jiggly, the top a nice golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes then unlatch and life away the pan's ring to let the cake cool for another hour. Then place cake in fridge to complete set and cool for a few hours.
Cake can be eaten cold or after slices are brought to room temperature after about 30 to 45 minutes. Do remember to store cake in the fridge, as it does contain cream cheese! Slices can also be individually wrapped and frozen, and will thaw in the fridge with no issue.