Description
Cherry Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, tender dessert bursting with real cherry flavor in every bite. Topped with a tangy and fruity pink frosting, it’s a delightful treat for spring, summer, or any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups chopped maraschino cherries (drained and patted dry)
For the Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or one 9×13 inch pan.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and almond extracts.
- Mix in sour cream and milk until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in chopped cherries gently with a spatula.
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cake cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in cherry juice and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Frost cooled cake and garnish with additional cherries if desired.
Notes
- Make sure to dry cherries well before folding them into the batter to avoid excess moisture.
- Add a drop of pink food coloring to the frosting for a more vibrant hue.
- Cake layers can be made ahead and frozen, then frosted when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: cherry cake, cream cheese frosting, maraschino cherry dessert, pink cake, spring dessert