Description
Cherry Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, flavorful dessert bursting with fresh cherry pieces and topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting infused with cherry flavor. Perfectly balanced between fruity sweetness and creamy richness, this cake is ideal for celebrations or cozy nights in, offering a delightful treat that’s easy to customize and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen cherries, chopped and drained
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp cherry juice or cherry preserves
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Measure out all ingredients precisely. Chop cherries if large and drain excess juice if frozen to prevent sogginess.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy to create a tender, airy crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract for aromatic flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Gently fold in the drained cherries to avoid bruising.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour batter into a prepared cake pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Make the Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting: While cake cools, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar to desired sweetness and thickness, then fold in cherry juice or preserves for flavor and color.
- Frost and Decorate: Once cake is completely cooled, evenly spread frosting over the top. Garnish with fresh cherries or sprinkles as desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for better mixing and smoother batter.
- Drain cherries thoroughly to prevent a soggy cake texture.
- Fold cherries gently to avoid crushing and discoloring the batter.
- Check oven temperature with a thermometer to ensure even baking.
- If frosting is too soft, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes before spreading.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg