Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe
This maraschino cherry cake recipe is a sweet and colorful dessert featuring a moist vanilla cake studded with juicy maraschino cherries and topped with a creamy cherry-flavored frosting. It’s an easy, beginner-friendly recipe that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or a fun family treat. The bright red cherries add a nostalgic flavor and a cheerful look to this delightful cake.
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking pan (or two 8-inch round pans)
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Whisk and spatula
- Electric mixer (optional, for batter and frosting)
- Cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving plate or cake stand
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup maraschino cherry juice from the jar
- 1 cup maraschino cherries chopped, drained
For the Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Extra maraschino cherries for decoration
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray, and lightly dust it with flour. This keeps the cake from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside for now—it’ll be added to the wet ingredients later.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer or a bit longer by hand.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract and maraschino cherry juice until everything is combined.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, followed by half of the milk, and mix until just combined. Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients and milk, stirring until smooth.
Step 6: Fold in the Cherries
- Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, so the cherries stay evenly distributed without breaking apart too much.
Step 7: Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack.
Step 8: Make the Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, cherry juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, beating until smooth and fluffy.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with whole maraschino cherries for a pretty, polished look.