Heavenly Sweet Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe for Beginners

Baking a delectable maraschino cherry cake brings pure joy to any dessert lover’s heart.

This vibrant cherry-studded recipe promises a delightful burst of flavor that’ll make taste buds dance with excitement.

Soft, moist layers infused with sweet maraschino cherries create a stunning centerpiece for celebrations or casual gatherings.

The cherries add a playful pop of color and tangy sweetness that elevates every single bite.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of rich cake and bright fruit notes that complement each other beautifully.

Light, fluffy, and irresistibly tempting, this cake will have everyone asking for seconds.

Grab a fork and prepare to indulge in a slice of pure dessert bliss.

How to Serve Cherry Cake That Turns Heads

• Cherry Celebration Plate: Serve this delightful cake at birthday parties, bridal showers, or summer gatherings as a vibrant centerpiece dessert that will wow your guests with its pink-hued beauty and sweet cherry flavor.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair each slice with a hot cup of chamomile or Earl Grey tea, creating a perfect mid-afternoon treat that balances the cake's sweetness with the tea's subtle warmth.
• Dessert Bar Star: Include this cake as part of a dessert buffet, cutting it into smaller elegant squares that allow guests to sample multiple sweet options during special events or holiday celebrations.
• Romantic Date Night Finale: Plate individual slices with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a fresh maraschino cherry on the side, transforming this cake into a romantic dessert perfect for intimate dinners or anniversary celebrations.

Save This Cake in a Covered Container

• Refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, ensuring the frosting doesn't dry out by covering it loosely with plastic wrap or a cake dome.
• Before storing, place parchment paper between individual slices to prevent sticking and maintain the cake's delicate frosting design.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature, which enhances the flavor and softens the texture.
• Wrap the unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and decorating for a fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

• Why use maraschino cherry juice in the recipe?

The cherry juice adds a subtle pink color and enhances the cherry flavor throughout the cake, making it more moist and flavorful.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Maraschino cherries are recommended for their unique sweetness and vibrant color. Fresh cherries will change the texture and flavor of the cake significantly.

• How do I prevent the cherries from sinking in the batter?

Lightly coat the chopped cherries in a bit of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking during baking.

• What makes the frosting creamy and smooth?

Gradually adding powdered sugar and using cherry juice creates a silky, spreadable frosting with a delicate cherry undertone.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 797 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Maraschino Cherry Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates the cake's tender crumb, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent that helps the cake rise evenly and creates a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for the cake, use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide moisture and structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.
• Almond Extract: Provides a subtle, nutty background note that complements the cherries.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender cake texture.
• Maraschino Cherry Juice: Infuses the cake with a delicate cherry flavor and adds moisture.
• Maraschino Cherries: Brings bright color and sweet, tangy burst of flavor throughout the cake.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, creamy frosting with perfect spreading consistency.
• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall frosting flavor.
• Almond Extract: Adds complementary nutty undertone to the frosting.

Tools That Help Blend the Perfect Batter

• Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating eggs, and making frosting smoothly.
• Large mixing bowls: Needed for combining ingredients and mixing cake batter.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• 9-inch round cake pans: Specific pans for baking the cake layers.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Helps prevent cake from sticking to pans.
• Whisk: Used for blending dry ingredients evenly.
• Spatula: Helps fold cherries into batter and spread frosting.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly after baking.
• Small bowl: Useful for mixing liquid ingredients.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.
• Serving plate: For presenting and displaying the finished cake.

Bake a Cherry Cake with Color

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F. Grab your cake pans and give them a quick spray with cooking oil, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until they’re perfectly blended and smooth.

• Whip Butter and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness. This takes about 2-3 minutes of energetic mixing.

• Blend Eggs and Flavor

Drop in the eggs one by one, giving each a good beating. Splash in the vanilla and almond extracts for that extra flavor punch.

• Create Cake Batter

Pour in the cherry juice and milk, then gently fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix carefully, alternating between wet and dry until everything is just combined.

• Add Cherry

Sprinkle in the chopped maraschino cherries, folding them gently through the batter for bursts of sweet flavor.

• Bake to Perfection

Divide the batter between your prepared pans. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean.

• Whip Up Frosting

Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar and cherry juice. Add a splash of extracts and whip until the frosting is smooth and dreamy.

• Stack and Frost

Place the first cake layer on a pretty plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting, then carefully top with the second layer. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting.

• Final Flourish

Decorate with whole maraschino cherries, a sprinkle of white chocolate shavings, or whatever catches your fancy for a showstopping finish.

Tips to Highlight Cherry Flavor in Each Slice

• Add an extra splash of maraschino cherry juice to the batter for a more intense cherry flavor and super moist texture that keeps the cake tender.
• Dust chopped cherries lightly with flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking and ensure even distribution throughout the cake.
• This cake freezes beautifully – wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store for up to 3 months, allowing you to prepare in advance for special occasions.
• For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Experiment with different extract combinations like adding a touch of rum extract or replacing almond extract with coconut extract for a unique taste profile.

Sweet Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Maraschino cherry cake delivers a delightful dessert experience with nostalgic charm. Sweet cherries and creamy frosting create a classic treat that beckons memories of grandmother’s kitchen and celebration.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.75 cups (350 g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 2.5 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 2.5 tsps baking powder
• 0.75 cup (180 ml) maraschino cherry juice
• 0.75 cup (100 g) maraschino cherries, chopped
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
• 3 tbsps maraschino cherry juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.25 tsp almond extract
• Whole maraschino cherries
• Sprinkles or shaved white chocolate

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C). Meticulously prepare two 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour or parchment paper for seamless cake extraction.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, setting aside for future integration.
3. Butter Mixture: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes of vigorous mixing. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete blending after each addition. Infuse vanilla and almond extracts for enhanced flavor complexity.
4. Liquid Integration: Marry maraschino cherry juice with milk. Systematically alternate adding dry ingredients and cherry juice mixture to the butter base, commencing and concluding with dry ingredients. Mix minimally to maintain batter integrity.
5. Cherry Incorporation: Gently fold chopped maraschino cherries throughout the batter, ensuring uniform distribution.
6. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick insertion. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
7. Frosting Creation: Whip butter until creamy. Gradually blend powdered sugar with cherry juice. Integrate vanilla and almond extracts, whipping until achieving a silky, cloud-like consistency.
8. Cake Assembly: Position first cake layer on a serving plate. Lavishly spread frosting across the surface. Carefully place second layer on top. Completely enrobe the cake with remaining frosting.
9. Decorative Finale: Embellish with whole maraschino cherries, festive sprinkles, or delicate white chocolate shavings to transform the cake into a visual masterpiece.

Notes

• Monitor Moisture Levels: Check cake’s moisture by using the toothpick test, ensuring it comes out clean with minimal crumbs for perfect texture.
• Prevent Cherry Sinking: Lightly dust chopped cherries with flour before folding into batter to prevent them from settling at the bottom during baking.
• Temperature Matters: Allow ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk to reach room temperature for smoother mixing and more even cake texture.
• Frosting Consistency Control: Adjust frosting thickness by adding more powdered sugar for stiffer consistency or cherry juice for a softer, more spreadable frosting.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg