October 23, 2023
Review RecipeHow to Make Cherry Chip Cake
This decadent two-layer cherry chip cake is everything dreams are made of: beautiful pink cake, velvety frosting, and sweet bursts of cherry flavor.
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Table of Contents
- Cherry Chip Cake Ingredients
- Substitutions And Additions
- How To Make This Cherry Chip Cake Recipe
- Frosting For Cherry Chip Cake
- How To Use Store-Bought Icing
- How To Serve Homemade Cherry Chip Cake
- Storing Cherry Chip Cake
- Homemade Cherry Chip Cake FAQs
- More Recipes You’ll Love
- JUMP TO RECIPE
- More Favorites You’ll Love
Pink, whimsical, and delicious, you will absolutely adore this old-fashioned cherry chip cake recipe. Two moist layers of cake bursting with cherry flavor in every bite are wrapped in a silky and sweet frosting for a delightful dessert that is perfect for special occasions.
Cherry Chip Cake Ingredients
Cherry chip cake offers a unique and delightful combination of flavors that balance sweetness, a hint of tartness, and a touch of cherry essence from the maraschino cherries dotted throughout.
You’ll need:
For The Cherry Chip Cake:
- ½ cup of finely chopped maraschino cherries
- ⅓ cup of maraschino cherry juice
- 2½ cups of cake flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ cup of salted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1½ cups of granulated sugar
- 4 extra-large egg whites, room temperature
- 1½ cups of whole milk
- 1 teaspoon of clear vanilla flavoring
- ½ teaspoon of almond extract
- 1 to 2 drops of red food color
- 1 tablespoon of cake flour
For The Frosting:
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup of vegetable shortening
- 4 cups of powdered sugar
- 4 to 5 tablespoons of half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon of clear vanilla flavoring
- ½ teaspoon of almond extract
- 8 maraschino cherries with stems (optional garnish)
Substitutions And Additions
FLOUR: If you don’t have cake flour, you can use all-purpose flour to make your own. For each cup of all-purpose flour, take out 2 tablespoons of flour and replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot, and you’ll have 1 cup of cake flour.
CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Chocolate and cherry taste divine together. Add up to 1 cup of chocolate chips coated in flour for surprising bursts of decadence in your cake.
FROSTING: While the buttercream cheese frosting is classic, a chocolate frosting would introduce a rich contrast to the cherry-flavored cake.
How To Make This Cherry Chip Cake Recipe
Once you make the batter from scratch and bake the cake following our directions below, you can whip up the creamy buttercream frosting to finish off your dessert.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray 2 (9-inch) cake pans with baker’s spray (like Baker’s Joy or another brand) and set aside.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Using cake strips around the cake pans can help ensure the cake layers bake level.
STEP TWO: Using a slotted spoon, remove the maraschino cherries from the jar and chop enough cherries to equal ½ cup once chopped.
Place the chopped cherries onto a paper towel-lined plate to allow all the excess juices to be absorbed. Set aside while preparing the rest of the recipe.
PRO TIP:
You want to make sure your chopped cherries are not really wet. Make sure the paper towel soaks up as much extra juice as possible.
STEP THREE: Once you have removed your cherries from the jar, you can measure out your ⅓ cup of maraschino cherry juice and set it aside.
STEP FOUR: Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, the baking powder, and the salt. Set dry ingredients aside.
STEP FIVE: Beat the softened butter and the granulated sugar for 1 to 1½ minutes until light and fluffy. Use a stand mixer, or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld electric mixer, on medium-high speed.
STEP SIX: Lower the mixer speed to medium speed and add the eggs one at a time, mixing until well combined.
STEP SEVEN: Lower the mixer speed to low, alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk, cherry juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until well incorporated.
PRO TIP:
When mixing in the flour, do not over mix the batter.
STEP EIGHT: Add the food color and mix just until well incorporated.
PRO TIP:
If you want a darker pink, you can add an extra drop of red food color. If you want a very light pink, you can omit the food color.
STEP NINE: Using a small bowl, toss the chopped cherries and one tablespoon of cake flour to coat the cherries completely.
PRO TIP:
Coating the cherries with flour will help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of your cake batter.
STEP TEN: Fold in the coated cherries.
STEP ELEVEN: Evenly divide the cake batter between the two prepared cake pans.
STEP TWELVE: Bake for 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cakes to rest until completely cooled.
For The Frosting
STEP ONE: Using either a stand mixer or a medium bowl and a hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the softened butter and the shortening for 1 to 1½ minutes.
STEP TWO: Lower the mixer speed to low, and add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing just until combined.
STEP THREE: Increase the mixer speed to medium, and drizzle the half-and-half, vanilla flavoring and the almond extract.
Continue mixing until the frosting is completely smooth. Reserve ¼ to ⅓ cup of the frosting for garnishing the top of the frosted cake.
STEP FOUR: Once the cakes are completely cooled, carefully remove one of the cake layers and transfer it to either a serving plate or a cake stand.
STEP FIVE: Using either a spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread a layer of frosting.
STEP SIX: Remove the second cake layer from the pan and place it on top of the bottom cake layer.
STEP SEVEN: Using the spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
STEP EIGHT: Using either a piping bag and star tip or a quart-size Ziploc with one tip snipped off, pipe 8 quarter-sized dollops of frosting around the top of the frosted cake.
Place 1 cherry with the stem attached on top of the frosting dollops.
Frosting For Cherry Chip Cake
There are plenty of options for frosting your cherry chip cake. Homemade buttercream or cream cheese frosting are the best options for this cake.
If you are looking to save time, you can use store-bought vanilla, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting.
How To Use Store-Bought Icing
If you need to save time, you could use store-bought icing on this cake. White or cream cheese frosting would both be ideal choices.
How To Serve Homemade Cherry Chip Cake
In my opinion, any day is a good reason to make a cake.
But if you need a special occasion, the lovely pink shades of this from-scratch cherry chip cake make it the ideal choice for Valentine’s Day or the perfect birthday cake.
Pair a slice of cherry chip cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm-cold contrast creates a delightful experience.
For more incredible cake recipes, our hummingbird cake and banana cake are two reader favorites.
MORE CAKE RECIPES
Storing Cherry Chip Cake
Whether you plan to enjoy it over a few days or save it for later, these storage tips will keep your cake tasting its best.
MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead, you can prepare the cherry chip cake a day in advance.
Simply bake the cake as directed, let it cool completely, and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Store it at room temperature until you’re ready to serve.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to five days.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers in an airtight container for up to two months in the freezer. Allow the layers to thaw completely before frosting.
This dessert recipe gives the promise of great taste. Rich, decadent frosting covers the beautiful vibrant pink cake that is bursting with yummy sweet cherry bits. This cherry chip cake would be a fantastic choice for a birthday or your special Valentine.
Homemade Cherry Chip Cake FAQs
Could I make this cake as a single layer in a 9×13-inch pan?
This layer cake could be turned into a rectangular cake if you’d like. You may end up with extra batter and will have to adjust the baking time, but we think this cake would be delicious in any shape.
Do I have to keep the cake in the fridge once it is made?
You should keep this vintage cherry chip layer cake in the fridge to keep it fresh once it is baked.
How do you keep cherries from sinking in a cherry cake?
Tossing the cherries in flour before mixing them into the cake batter will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake.
What kind of cherry is used in cakes?
Maraschino cherries are the main choice for use in cakes and other baking.
Is a maraschino cherry a real cherry?
Maraschino cherries are real cherries that have been dyed bright red and preserved in sweetened syrup.
What is the sweetest cherry?
Black cherries are the sweetest type of cherries and are sweeter than red cherries.
Why is my cherry cake dry?
Cakes tend to become dry if they are baked for a longer time than the recipe recommends. A higher temperature can also cause a dry cake, so make sure that your oven temperature is calibrated correctly.
Why is my fruit cake soggy in the middle?
Your fruit cake may be soggy in the middle because it is undercooked. Make sure you are following the correct bake time to ensure your cake is cooked through.
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Homemade Cherry Chip Cake
This decadent two-layer cherry chip cake is everything dreams are made of: beautiful pink cake, velvety frosting, and sweet bursts of cherry flavor.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
Cherry Chip Cake
- ½ cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup maraschino cherry juice
- 2½ cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 extra-large egg whites, room temperature
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla flavoring
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 to 2 drops red food color
- 1 tablespoon cake flour
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup vegetable shortening
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 to 5 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla flavoring
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 8 maraschino cherries with stems, optional garnish
Instructions
Cherry Chip Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray 2 (9-inch) cake pans with baker’s spray (like Baker’s Joy or another brand) and set aside.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the maraschino cherries from the jar and chop enough cherries to equal ½ cup once chopped. Place the chopped cherries onto a paper towel-lined plate to allow all the excess juices to be absorbed. You want to make sure your chopped cherries are not really wet. Set aside while preparing the rest of the recipe.
- Once you have removed your cherries from the jar, you can measure out your ⅓ cup of maraschino cherry juice and set it aside.
- Using a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, the baking powder, and the salt. Set it aside.
- Using either a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened butter and the granulated sugar for 1 to 1½ minutes until light and fluffy.
- Lower the mixer speed to medium speed and add the eggs in one at a time, mixing until well combined.
- Lower the mixer speed to low, alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk, cherry juice, vanilla flavoring and the almond extract. Mix until well incorporated.
- Add the food color and mix just until well incorporated.
- Using a small bowl, toss the chopped cherries and the 1 tablespoon cake flour to completely coat the cherries.
- Fold in the coated cherries.
- Evenly divide the cake batter between the 2 prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cakes to rest until completely cooled.
Frosting
- Using either a stand mixer or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat together the softened butter and the shortening for 1 to 1½ minutes.
- Lower the mixer speed to low, add in the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing just until combined.
- Increase the mixer speed to medium, and drizzle the half-and-half, vanilla flavoring and the almond extract. Continue mixing until the frosting is completely smooth. Reserve ¼ to ⅓ cup of the frosting for garnishing the top of the frosted cake.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, carefully remove one of the cake layers and transfer it to either a serving plate or a cake stand.
- Using either a spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread a layer of frosting.
- Remove the second cake layer from the pan and place it on top of the bottom cake layer.
- Using the spatula or an offset spatula, evenly spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake.
- Using either a piping bag and star tip, or a quart-size Ziploc with one tip snipped off, pipe 8 quarter-sized dollops of frosting around the top of the frosted cake. Place 1 cherry with the stem attached on top of the frosting dollops.
Notes
- Using cake strips around the cake pans can help ensure the cake layers bake level.
- You want to make sure your chopped cherries are not really wet. Make sure the paper towel soaks up as much extra juice as possible.
- When mixing in the flour, do not over mix the batter.
- If you want a darker pink, you can add an extra drop of red food color. If you want a very light pink, you can omit the food color.
- Coating the cherries with flour will help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of your cake batter.
Nutrition
Calories: 924kcal | Carbohydrates: 139g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 107g | Vitamin A: 818IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Gloria says
This is so yummy and pretty!
Cyndi says
Can I use real vanilla extract rather than clear vanilla flavoring?