Despite a long search, I could not get my hands on fresh sour cherries this season.
Sigh.
So a jarred version will have to do for this recipe. However, if you can procure fresh sour cherries, please use them instead and ignore my envy.
What are Sour Cherries?
Sour cherries, also known as tart cherries or pie cherries, are a type of cherry with a distinctively tangy flavor. Unlike their sweeter cousins, sweet cherries, sour cherries have a higher acidity and a more tart taste. Consequently, sour cherries pack a punch of flavor and are a favorite for adding a tart twist to various recipes.
Basically, Sour cherries are the bomb. I love their sour sweet flavor. This recipe comes from a German cooking magazine. Sour cherry recipes are hugely popular in Germany. At our home, a neighbor with a sour cherry tree shares the bounty with my mother-in-law. She in turn gifts me with some fresh and preserves the rest.
One of my favorite versions of streusel cake recipes is the one where the filling is cradled between two layers of streusel.
Not only does that double your streusel pleasure, but these versions are dead easy to make. No fussing with making a crust, a filling, and a topping. The whole recipe is just one big easy-peasy streusel sandwich. Additionally, the bottom streusel layer makes a beautiful-looking crust. #Winning.
This streusel paired with the sweet sour cherry flavor topped off with a pop of mint is divine. However, pile on more flavor if you like. Add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the streusel mix. Also, feel free to switch out the mint for rosemary or tarragon.
Sour Cherry Mint Streusel Tart
Ingredients
- 3+3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
- 24 oz jar of sour cherries or 1 lb of fresh washed, de-stemmed, and pitted sour cherries
- 1 cup cherry preserves or jam.
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves plus a few whole for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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Grease and flour a 10-inch tart form.
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Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
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In a mixer cream together the butter and sugar. Beat about 3 minutes.
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Add the egg and the vanilla extract.
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Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Turn the mixer back on and beat until thoroughly combined.
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Slow the mixer down. Add half the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
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Add the other half of the dry ingredients and mix until streusel forms.
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Fold in the chopped mint.
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Lightly press 2/3 of the mixture (use a kitchen scale for precise measurement) into the prepared tart form.
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Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
If you are using pitted sour cherries from a jar:
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Drain the cherries – reserve the juice for later use if you like.
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Place the drained cherries in a bowl.
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Heat the cherry jam until warm and mix with the cherries.
If you are using fresh cherries:
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Mix the pitted cherries with the jam.
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Fill the tart with the sour cherry mixture.
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Mix the chopped mint leaves with the remaining 1/3 of the streusel.
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Sprinkle the mint streusel over the top of the cherries.
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Replace the pan in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes.
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Remove from oven. Let cool. Garnish with additional mint leaves.
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Cut and serve.
Like this Sour Cherry Mint Streusel Tart? Also, check out some of these other recipes:
STRAWBERRY RHUBARB HAZELNUT STREUSEL TART
ORANGE MARZIPAN STREUSEL CAKE
