Hungarian Cherry Sour Cream Cake (Meggyes Tejfölös
Hungarian Cherry Sour Cream Cake (Meggyes Tejfölös Sütemény)
This Hungarian Cherry Sour Cream Cake is a soft, tender tray bake made with a light vanilla cake batter, creamy sour cream, and juicy cherries. The tart cherries balance the sweetness beautifully, while a generous dusting of powdered sugar gives the finished cake its classic Hungarian homemade look.
It is an excellent dessert for afternoon coffee, family gatherings, holidays, or whenever you want a simple fruit cake that looks beautiful with minimal effort.
🇭🇺 Hungarian Cherry Sour Cream Cake
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12–16 pieces
Cuisine: Hungarian
Course: Dessert
Ingredients
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 180 g granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 200 g sour cream
- 120 ml vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10 g baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 350–400 g pitted sour cherries, fresh or well-drained canned
- 1 tablespoon flour, for coating the cherries
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut, optional
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Line a rectangular baking pan, approximately 23 × 33 cm (9 × 13 inches), with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Cherries
If using fresh cherries, wash, drain, and remove the pits.
If using canned or jarred sour cherries, drain them very well and gently pat them dry with paper towels.
Toss the cherries with 1 tablespoon of flour. This helps prevent them from sinking too deeply into the cake batter.
3. Make the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar for 3–4 minutes, until pale and slightly fluffy.
Add the sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently mix until you have a smooth, thick batter.
Do not overmix.
4. Fill the Pan
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
Arrange the cherries over the surface, gently pressing some of them into the batter.
If desired, sprinkle a little shredded coconut over the top for additional texture and flavor.
5. Bake
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35–40 minutes.
The cake is ready when the top is golden and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool and Finish
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes.
Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar.
Cut into squares and serve.
Tips for the Perfect Hungarian Cherry Cake
Use sour cherries
Hungarian-style fruit cakes traditionally work especially well with tart sour cherries. Their acidity provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet, soft cake.
Drain canned cherries well
Excess cherry juice can make the batter too wet. Drain the cherries thoroughly before adding them to the cake.
Don't overmix the batter
Mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the finished cake dense rather than soft and tender.
Add the cherries evenly
Distribute the cherries across the entire surface so every piece contains plenty of fruit.
Let it cool before slicing
Allowing the cake to cool makes it easier to cut into neat squares without the fruit cake falling apart.
Can I Use Frozen Cherries?
Yes. Frozen cherries work very well.
There is no need to completely thaw them if you are short on time. However, remove excess ice and liquid before adding them to the batter.
If the cherries release a lot of liquid, pat them dry and toss them lightly with flour before arranging them over the cake.
How to Serve Hungarian Cherry Cake
This cake is delicious on its own with a cup of coffee or tea.
For a more indulgent dessert, serve it with:
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Vanilla sauce
- Extra powdered sugar
A simple dusting of powdered sugar is enough to make it an elegant traditional-style dessert.
Storage
Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 1 day, or refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
Because the cake contains sour cream and fresh fruit, refrigeration is recommended for longer storage.
Allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature for a short time before serving for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use sweet cherries instead of sour cherries?
Yes. Sweet cherries can be used, although the finished cake will be sweeter. You may want to slightly reduce the sugar if using very sweet cherries.
Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes. Plain full-fat yogurt can be substituted for sour cream, although the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
Why did my cherries sink?
Very wet or heavy cherries can sink into the batter. Draining them thoroughly and lightly coating them with flour helps keep them distributed throughout the cake.
Can I freeze this cake?
Yes. Cut the completely cooled cake into portions and wrap them well before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Why You'll Love This Hungarian Cherry Cake
This recipe is a wonderful example of simple Hungarian home baking. It requires everyday ingredients, comes together quickly, and produces a soft cake filled with juicy cherries and a delicate vanilla flavor.
The combination of tangy cherries, creamy sour cream, and tender cake makes every bite wonderfully balanced.
Recipe Summary
Recipe: Hungarian Cherry Sour Cream Cake
Hungarian-inspired name: Meggyes Tejfölös Sütemény
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
Servings: 12–16
Difficulty: Easy
SEO Information
SEO Title: Hungarian Cherry Sour Cream Cake Recipe
Meta Description: Make a soft Hungarian cherry sour cream cake with juicy sour cherries, vanilla, and a tender homemade batter. An easy traditional-style dessert.
Focus Keyword: Hungarian cherry cake
URL Slug: hungarian-cherry-sour-cream-cake
Category: Hungarian Recipes / Desserts / Cakes
Tags: Hungarian Cherry Cake, Hungarian Dessert, Cherry Cake, Sour Cream Cake, Hungarian Baking, Fruit Cake, Easy Cake Recipe, Meggyes Sütemény
