Summer Cherry Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. 2
   Grease and dust with flour a 9-inch cake pan or tarte pan with removable bottom.
3. 3
   Shake off any additional flour.
4. 4
   Pit the cherries, then blend in a bowl with lemon juice and cherry brandy (or juice) and let stand at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5
   Cream the butter and sugar, lemon peel, nutmeg and vanilla until fluffy, then beat in eggs, one at a time.
6. 6
   Add flour.
7. 7
   Pour into pan and spread batter evenly.
8. 8
   Lift cherries from juices with a slotted spoon and distribute over batter, rounded sides up.
9. 9
   Drizzle cherry juices over fruit.
10. 10
    Bake until cake around fruit springs back firmly when lightly touched, about 30 minutes.
11. 11
    Let cool, then serve slightly warm or at room temperature, sprinkling with powdered sugar before serving if you wish.
12. 12
    Cake is best served 1- 2 days after baking as the flavor mellows and intensifies.
13. 13
    This cake freezes well.