Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe for Special Celebrations

Sweet memories dance through my kitchen whenever I whip up this delightful maraschino cherry cake recipe that reminds me of grandma’s baking adventures.

Nostalgic flavors burst from each tender slice, telling stories of celebration and comfort.

Bright red cherries peek through soft, buttery layers, creating a visual symphony that catches everyone’s attention.

Rich cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious touch that makes this dessert impossible to resist.

My friends always request seconds when I serve this charming treat at gatherings.

Delicate crumbs melt on your tongue, releasing waves of sweet cherry essence that transport you to childhood birthday parties.

This cake promises pure joy in every single bite.

What Makes Maraschino Cherry Cake Special

• Maraschino Cherry Cake brings joy to home cooks everywhere!
• Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this cake accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced dessert makers.
• Bursting with sweet maraschino cherry essence and delightful almond undertones, this cake delivers a unique taste that stands out from traditional vanilla or chocolate desserts.
• Perfect for birthday parties, potlucks, and family gatherings, this cake creates instant smiles and becomes a centerpiece that everyone will adore and remember.
• Simple yet elegant garnishing with whole cherries, sprinkles, or white chocolate shavings allows personal creativity and makes each cake presentation special and Instagram-worthy.

Maraschino Cherry Cake Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake, creates tender crumb structure.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cake's texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create soft cake texture.
• Large Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structure.

• Maraschino Cherry Juice: Adds unique cherry flavor and moisture.
• Milk: Helps create smooth cake batter consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Almond Extract: Adds complementary nutty flavor note.

• Maraschino Cherries: Adds color, texture, and signature cherry flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting base.
• Butter: Provides creamy, rich frosting texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to frosting flavor.
• Almond Extract: Complements cherry theme in frosting.

Baking the Perfect Maraschino Cherry Cake

Step 1: Prepare The Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350F (175C). Grab two 9-inch cake pans and coat them with butter or line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk them together in a medium bowl and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Butter Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. This should take about 2-3 minutes of energetic mixing.

Step 4: Introduce Eggs And Flavor Boosters

Add eggs one by one, beating thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla and almond extracts for a flavor explosion.

Step 5: Blend Wet And Dry Components

Combine maraschino cherry juice and milk in a small bowl. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the cherry juice blend. Mix until ingredients are just married together.

Step 6: Fold In Cherry Chunks

Gently fold chopped maraschino cherries into the batter, creating colorful bursts throughout.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick- it should come out clean. Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 8: Craft Luscious Frosting

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cherry juice. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts until frosting becomes silky smooth.

Step 9: Build Your Cake Masterpiece

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread a generous frosting layer. Carefully position second cake layer on top. Frost entire cake with remaining mixture.

Step 10: Add Stunning Finishing Touches

Decorate with whole maraschino cherries, sprinkle with colorful confetti, or shower with delicate white chocolate shavings.

Helpful Tips for Maraschino Cherry Cake Success

• Preserve Cherry Moisture: Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly but reserve some juice to prevent soggy cake texture and maintain perfect consistency.
• Prevent Sinking Cherries: Toss chopped cherries in a light dusting of flour before folding into batter to help them distribute evenly and prevent sinking to the bottom.
• Control Frosting Consistency: Adjust frosting thickness by adding cherry juice gradually- start with small amounts to achieve desired spreadable texture without becoming too runny.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast sliced almonds and sprinkle on top of frosting for an extra layer of nutty complexity that complements the sweet cherry profile.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before mixing to create smoother batter and more uniform cake texture.

Save Maraschino Cherry Cake for Later Enjoyment

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance the flavors.
• Wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired, but avoid overheating to maintain the cake's moisture and texture.

Serve Maraschino Cherry Cake with These Treats

• A light, fruity rosé complements the cake's sweet cherry flavor, creating a delicate balance of refreshing bubbles and sugary notes.
• Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a rich contrast to the cake's soft texture, enhancing the cherry's bright taste.
• A classic champagne cocktail with a sugar cube and dash of bitters perfectly matches the cake's celebratory and elegant profile.
• A small glass of smooth almond liqueur echoes the cake's almond extract, intensifying the nutty undertones and creating a harmonious flavor experience.

Variations to Elevate Maraschino Cherry Cake

• Gluten-Free Cherry Cake: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and rice flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the cake's tender texture.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of regular milk to create a plant-based friendly cake that's equally moist and delicious.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Delight: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia and use sugar-free maraschino cherries to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the signature cherry flavor.
• Vegan Cherry Celebration: Use aquafaba instead of eggs, plant-based butter, and coconut cream for frosting to transform this classic cake into a completely plant-based treat that everyone can enjoy.

Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 1x

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Description

Sweet nostalgia blooms in this classic Maraschino Cherry Cake, where childhood memories dance with delicate cherry notes and tender crumb. Delightful layers of buttery richness promise a dreamy dessert you’ll savor with each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
• 2.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Dairy and Fat Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1.75 cups (350 g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) whole milk

Cherry and Flavor Ingredients:

• 0.75 cup (180 ml) maraschino cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 0.75 cup (100 g) maraschino cherries, chopped

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon almond extract

Garnish Ingredients:

• Whole maraschino cherries
• Sprinkles or shaved white chocolate

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Instructions

1. Prepare your culinary workspace by preheating the oven to 350F (175C). Carefully coat two 9-inch round cake pans with grease and flour, or line them with parchment paper to ensure effortless cake removal.
2. Create a harmonious dry ingredient blend by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set this mixture aside for future incorporation.
3. Transform butter and sugar into a light, airy mixture by vigorously beating them until they achieve a fluffy, pale consistency, which typically takes 2-3 minutes of continuous mixing.
4. Introduce eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough integration after each addition. Enhance the flavor profile by gently stirring in vanilla and almond extracts.
5. Develop the cake’s liquid foundation by combining maraschino cherry juice with milk in a separate small bowl. Methodically alternate adding dry ingredients and cherry juice mixture to the butter base, starting and concluding with dry ingredients. Mix until ingredients are just incorporated.
6. Delicately fold chopped maraschino cherries into the batter, distributing them evenly to guarantee a consistent flavor throughout the cake.
7. Distribute the batter equally between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Craft a luxurious frosting by beating butter until creamy. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, alternating with cherry juice. Incorporate vanilla and almond extracts, whipping until the frosting achieves a smooth, cloud-like texture.
9. Construct the cake’s final form by positioning the first layer on a serving plate. Generously spread frosting across the surface before carefully placing the second layer on top. Elegantly coat the entire cake with remaining frosting.
10. Elevate the cake’s visual appeal by adorning it with whole maraschino cherries, festive sprinkles, or delicate white chocolate shavings, transforming it into a stunning culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the cake batter too wet and affecting the texture.
• Chop cherries into smaller pieces for even distribution throughout the cake, ensuring each slice has a delightful cherry surprise.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, creating a more uniform cake batter with better overall consistency.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake; stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined for a tender crumb.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8 to 10
• Calories: 797
• Sugar: 76 g
• Sodium: 204 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 96 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg