Delia Smith Cherry And Coconut Cake

Delia Smith's Cherry and Coconut Cake is a delightful treat that combines the rich flavors of cherries and coconut. The cake is known for its moist and tender texture, which is achieved by using a combination of fresh ingredients and simple baking methods. This recipe is suitable for both novice and experienced bakers and is perfect for those who love the sweet and natural taste of cherries.

Ingredients:

• Glacé cherries: 200g
• Room temperature block butter: 175g
• Golden caster sugar: 175g
• Large eggs (lightly whisked): 3
• Plain flour: 175g
• Baking powder: ½ level teaspoon
• Ground almonds: 75g
• Almond extract (a few drops)
• Milk (1 dessertspoon)

Preparation Instructions for the Cherry And Coconut Cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C, gas mark 4.
2. Prepare the cherries by drying them if they're in syrup and slicing each into four pieces.
3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then gradually beat in the eggs.
4. Sift together the flour and baking powder, folding this into the creamed mixture.
5. Combine two-thirds of the cherries with the ground almonds and fold them into the cake along with the almond extract and milk.
6. Pour the mix into a prepared cake tin, leveling the top, then add the remaining cherries on top, slightly under the surface.
7. Bake for about 60 minutes (50 minutes plus 10 minutes covered with foil).

Storage and Reheating for the Cherry And Coconut Cake:

• Store in an airtight container.
• For reheating, if necessary, a quick warm-up in the microwave or oven should suffice, but be careful not to overheat as it can dry out the cake.

Nutritional Information (per serving) for the Cherry And Coconut Cake

• Calories: Approximately 264.5 kcal
• Total Fat: 14.2g
• Saturated Fat: 7.9g
• Cholesterol: 78.4mg
• Sodium: 19.4mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 32.7g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.9g
• Sugars: 24.2g
• Protein: 3.4g

FAQ about the Cherry And Coconut Cake

• Can I use different types of cherries?
  Sweet cherries like Bing or Rainier are recommended for their natural sweetness.
• How do I prevent the cherries from sinking?
  Slicing the cherries and folding them into the batter as instructed helps them to stay distributed.
• What if my cake cracks on top?
  Cracks are normal and can be covered with icing or left as is for a rustic look.

Delia Smith's Cherry and Coconut Cake is a classic British dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Its moist texture and rich flavors make it a hit among all age groups. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.