Description
Hungarian Cherry Sponge Cake, also known as Cseresznyés Lepény, is a light and fluffy vanilla sponge cake filled with juicy cherries and finished with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. This traditional Hungarian dessert is simple, airy, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a rectangular baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Wash, pit, and halve the cherries. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar for 4–5 minutes until pale, fluffy, and doubled in volume.
- Add the vanilla extract, melted butter, and milk. Mix gently until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Scatter the cherries over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Sour cherries provide the most traditional Hungarian flavor.
- Frozen cherries can be used if thawed and drained well.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a light sponge texture.
- The cake tastes even better the next day after the flavors settle.
- Serve with coffee, tea, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
