Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the base of a 10-inch (25cm) springform pan with parchment paper. Do this by placing a square of paper on the base before securing the sides. Grease the pan with butter and set aside.
Add the butter and sugar to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a standing mixer. Mix on medium speed for 3-4 minutes, until fluffy and lighter in colour.
⅔ cup salted butter, ¾ cup raw cane sugar
Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition to incorporate. Mix in the vanilla and lemon zest.
3 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, Zest of a lemon
Stir the flour and baking powder together. Add half of this mixture to the cake batter and mix on low to incorporate (if using a standing mixer, switch to the paddle attachment).
Add the milk and mix in on low speed. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. A few small streaks of flour are fine.
¼ cup whole milk
Transfer the batter into the prepared springform and spread into an even layer. Top with a layer of the cherries.
2 cups jarred sour cherries, drained**
Streusel Topping
Add the flour, sugar, and butter to a mixing bowl. Use your hands to mix until crumbly and well incorporated. This can be done with a spoon but it takes much longer.
½ cup all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cane sugar, 2 tablespoons salted butter
Sprinkle over the cake in an even layer.
Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out with just a couple small crumbs attached.
Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing the sides and cooling fully on a wire rack. After about an hour (or sooner, depending on how cool the space is) the cake can be carefully lifted off the base of the pan and cooled directly on the rack.
Serve as is or with Chantilly cream. Store leftover cake in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Notes
This recipe is best measured by weights.* If using plain flour, this will be 2 cups.** Reserve the juice from the jarred cherries for drinking, it's very nice. This is the standard size for a jar. It can be slightly over or under 2 cups total.