If you’re searching for a delightful dessert that bursts with cheerful flavor and nostalgic charm, this Cherry Chip Cake Recipe is an absolute must-try. Combining the sweet tang of maraschino cherries with a tender white cake base and a luscious cherry-infused buttercream frosting, it’s like a party in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something irresistibly good, this cake brings vibrant color, moist texture, and that perfect balance of fruity sweetness that everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cherry Chip Cake Recipe lies in its simplicity, yet every ingredient plays an essential role. From the white cake mix that forms a soft foundation to the maraschino cherries that add bursts of flavor and pops of cheerful red, each piece of the puzzle enhances the final creation beautifully.
- White cake mix: The easy base that creates a tender and fluffy crumb perfect for soaking up cherry juices.
- Maraschino cherries: Chopped for sweetness and color; save some for garnish to add a pop of charm.
- Butter (½ cup, melted): Adds richness and moisture, helping the cake achieve a tender texture.
- Eggs (3): Essential for structure and a fluffy rise.
- Milk (½ cup): Enhances moisture and helps blend all ingredients smoothly.
- Cherry juice (½ cup, reserved): This infusion deepens the cherry flavor right into the batter.
- Unsalted butter (2 sticks, softened): The rich base for the silky frosting.
- Powdered sugar (2 pounds): Creates a smooth, sweet frosting to crown your cake.
- Milk (6 tablespoons for frosting): Lightens the frosting’s texture to perfectly spreadable consistency.
- Maraschino cherry juice (2 tablespoons for frosting): Imparts that unmistakable cherry flavor to the buttercream.
How to Make Cherry Chip Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by warming your oven to 350 degrees F. This ensures an even bake once your batter is ready. Don’t forget to spray your cake pans with non-stick spray to help your cake layers slip out easily after baking.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Prep Cherries
Melt the half cup of butter until smooth and set it aside to cool slightly, so it blends nicely with the other ingredients. Meanwhile, rinse your maraschino cherries to reduce excess syrup then pat them dry—this helps prevent excess moisture in the batter.
Step 3: Combine Cake Batter
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the white cake mix, chopped cherries, melted butter, eggs, milk, and half a cup of the reserved maraschino cherry juice. This combination makes the batter irresistibly moist with hints of cherry throughout every bite.
Step 4: Bake the Cake Layers
Divide your batter evenly between two 8 or 9-inch pans. Slide the pans into your preheated oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This means the structure is set but still tender and soft.
Step 5: Cool Completely
Allow the cakes to cool slightly in the pans before transferring them onto a wire rack. Cooling fully prevents the frosting from melting and ensures clean, smooth layers when assembling.
Step 6: Make the Cherry Buttercream Frosting
With your cakes cooling, blend the softened unsalted butter, powdered sugar, milk, and 2 tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice until fluffy and smooth. This frosting is creamy and packed with vibrant cherry flavor, making it a glorious finishing touch.
Step 7: Assemble and Frost the Cake
Place one cake layer on your serving plate, slather it generously with frosting, then carefully add the second cake on top. Cover the entire cake with a luscious coat of frosting. For an extra elegant touch, pipe stars around the edges using a star-tip piping bag and decorate with your reserved cherries for that irresistible look.
Step 8: Slice and Enjoy
After frosting, slice your cake and prepare for compliments! The moist, fruity layers combined with smooth cherry frosting make every bite a little celebration.
How to Serve Cherry Chip Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Reserved maraschino cherries are a perfect garnish, adding that classic cherry-on-top vibe that makes the cake look as delightful as it tastes. A light sprinkle of finely chopped nuts or a dusting of powdered sugar can add visual and textural contrast if you want to get fancy.
Side Dishes
Serve your Cherry Chip Cake Recipe alongside fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to enhance its decadence. A cup of hot tea or coffee complements the cherry sweetness and balances the richness wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the cake into delicate petite squares for a tea party or stack mini versions in cupcake liners for bite-sized treats. You can also drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for a stunning finish or layer pieces of the cake in parfait glasses with whipped cream and cherries for an elegant dessert presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to keep it moist and flavorful. Refrigerate leftovers and enjoy within 3 to 4 days for the best taste and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake, either frosted or unfrosted. Wrap it well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen cherry chip cake keeps well for up to 2 months, perfect for preparing ahead!
Reheating
For the best experience, thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight. You can bring slices to room temperature before serving or gently warm the cake pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive that fresh-baked softness.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
While fresh cherries are delicious, maraschino cherries provide a unique sweetness and vibrant color that is signature to the Cherry Chip Cake Recipe. Fresh cherries are less sweet and moister, which might affect the cake’s texture.
Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
You can substitute the white cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix that performs similarly in texture. Just ensure all other ingredients, such as powdered sugar and additives, are gluten-free certified.
Can I make the frosting without butter?
Butter is essential to achieving the creamy, rich texture of the frosting in this recipe. If you need a dairy-free option, you could try a vegan butter substitute, but the flavor may differ slightly.
How do I prevent cherries from sinking to the bottom of the cake?
Coating the chopped cherries lightly in flour before folding them into the batter helps suspend them evenly throughout the cake, keeping that signature cherry burst in every bite.
Can this cake be made into cupcakes?
Absolutely! Divide the batter into cupcake liners and reduce baking time to about 18-20 minutes. Top each cupcake with the cherry buttercream frosting and a cherry for a fun, individual treat.
Final Thoughts
Making this Cherry Chip Cake Recipe is like inviting a burst of joy into your kitchen. Every step, from mixing the batter filled with juicy cherries to piping the vibrant frosting, is a celebration of flavors and textures. Once you taste this cake, you’ll understand why it’s a favorite for so many — and you’ll want to bake it again and again to share that happiness with everyone you love.
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Cherry Chip Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 85 minutes
- Yield: 16 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cherry Chip Cake is a delightful dessert featuring a moist white cake mixed with maraschino cherries and cherry juice for a burst of fruity flavor. Topped with a rich cherry-infused buttercream frosting and garnished with reserved cherries, this cake is perfect for celebrations and gatherings.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix
- 10 ounces maraschino cherries, chopped (reserve some cherries and juice for garnish and frosting)
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup reserved cherry juice
Frosting:
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 pounds powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons reserved maraschino cherry juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cake.
- Melt Butter: Melt ½ cup of butter completely and set aside for mixing.
- Prepare Cherries: Rinse and dry the maraschino cherries thoroughly, reserving some cherries and their juice for garnish and frosting.
- Mix Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, chopped cherries, melted butter, eggs, milk, and reserved cherry juice. Mix until well blended.
- Prepare Pans: Spray two 8 or 9 inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Divide Batter: Evenly divide the cake batter between the two prepared pans.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool slightly, then remove them from the pans and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Once cakes have cooled, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and reserved maraschino cherry juice in a large bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting evenly over the top.
- Add Second Layer: Place the second cake layer on top of the frosted layer.
- Frost Entire Cake: Frost the entire cake smoothly with the remaining frosting.
- Pipe Edges: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, pipe decorative frosting around the top and bottom edges of the cake.
- Garnish: Decorate the cake with reserved maraschino cherries for a beautiful finishing touch.
- Serve: Slice the cake into 16 pieces and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Reserve some cherries and cherry juice before mixing the batter to use in frosting and garnish.
- Use room temperature butter for the frosting for best texture and ease of mixing.
- If a star tip piping bag is unavailable, use any decorative tip or simply spread frosting evenly.
- The cake can be stored covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
