Ingredients :
1 cup granulated sugar, divided
3 cups pitted fresh sweet cherries or thawed and drained frozen cherries
1 cup all-purpose (plain) flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
4 large eggs
1-3/4 cups half-and-half
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Grated zest of 1 lemon
Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Method :
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, place the dish on a baking sheet and sprinkle the bottom of the dish with 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar. Spread the cherries in the bottom of the dish and bake for 10 minutes. There may be a lot of juice, but do not drain. Set aside and leave oven on.
2. While the cherries are cooking, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
3. In another large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs with 3/4th cup of the granulated sugar until blended, about 1 minute. Add half the flour mixture, then all the half-and-half, then the remaining flour mixture. Add the vanilla and lemon zest and stir to combine.
4. Pour the batter over the cherries. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Bake until puffed and golden-brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
5. Using a fine-mesh sieve, dust the top with confectioners' sugar and serve immediately.