Cherry Cheese Coffee Cake

### Instructions:

#### 1. **Prepare the Oven and Pan:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

#### 2. **Make the Cake Batter:**
– In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
– In a separate bowl, beat together the softened butter, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
– Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. The batter should be thick and spreadable. Set aside.

#### 3. **Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:**
– In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
– Set the cream cheese mixture aside for later.

#### 4. **Assemble the Coffee Cake:**
– Spread the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing it out with a spatula.
– Carefully spoon the cream cheese filling on top of the batter and gently spread it to cover the surface.
– Using a spoon, dollop the cherry pie filling (or fresh cherries) evenly over the cream cheese layer. If you are using pie filling, make sure to distribute it so that the cherries are evenly spread across the cake.

#### 5. **Make the Streusel Topping (Optional):**
– In a small bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter together.
– Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
– Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the cake for a delightful crunch and extra sweetness.

#### 6. **Bake the Cake:**
– Bake in the preheated oven for about **40-45 minutes**, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (a little cream cheese or cherry residue is fine).
– If you notice the top is browning too quickly, you can cover the cake loosely with foil and continue baking until fully cooked.

#### 7. **Optional Cherry Glaze:**
– For a glossy, extra-sweet touch, make a quick cherry glaze by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small saucepan.
– Add the cherry pie filling to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the glaze thickens. Drizzle this over the cooled cake before serving for an added burst of cherry goodness.

#### 8. **Serve and Enjoy:**
– Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing it into squares or wedges.
– Serve warm or at room temperature. The creamy, tangy filling, the juicy cherries, and the soft cake make for a delightful bite every time.

### Tips for Success:
– **Fresh Cherries:** If using fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling, sweeten them with a little sugar or a drizzle of honey before placing them on top of the cream cheese filling. You can also cook them with a bit of cornstarch to create your own homemade cherry topping.
– **Make it Ahead:** This coffee cake can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for a warm, comforting treat.
– **Experiment with Toppings:** In addition to the streusel topping, you can sprinkle the cake with chopped nuts (like almonds or pecans) or drizzle with a vanilla glaze for extra flavor.
– **Storage:** This cake can be refrigerated if you want it to last a little longer. Just reheat individual portions before serving for the best experience.

### Why You’ll Love Cherry Cheese Coffee Cake:
The best part about **Cherry Cheese Coffee Cake** is its versatility. It works wonderfully as a sweet breakfast or brunch treat, a dessert to serve after dinner, or even as a gift for loved ones. The combination of soft, buttery cake, creamy cheese filling, sweet cherries, and the crunch of streusel is a symphony of flavors and textures that will keep you coming back for more.

So next time you’re looking to bake something special, treat yourself and your guests to this irresistible Cherry Cheese Coffee Cake. It’s the kind of recipe that’s bound to become a family favorite for years to come!