Description

Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Cherry Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting. This moist and tender cake is studded with maraschino cherries and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting infused with cherry goodness. Perfect for any special occasion or simply when you crave a sweet treat.

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
⅔ cup whole milk
⅓ cup maraschino cherry juice
1 cup chopped maraschino cherries (blotted dry)

For the frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
Prepare the cake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg whites one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: In a measuring cup, combine the milk and cherry juice. Add the dry ingredients and milk mixture to the butter mixture alternately, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
Bake the cakes: Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in cherry juice, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
Frost the cake: Frost the cooled cake layers, then chill for 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.

Notes

Blot cherries well before folding into the batter to avoid excess moisture.
For a brighter pink color, add a drop of food coloring to the frosting if desired.