Moist Cherry Chip Cake
If you’re looking for a fun, flavorful cake recipe that’s packed with pink color and cherry flavor, this homemade cherry chip cake is the perfect choice! Using a simple box mix and a jar of maraschino cherries, you can whip up a moist cake with a sweet cherry frosting in no time.
This delicious cherry cake is a great idea for a special dessert, birthday parties, or any good time you want a pop of color and a burst of flavor. Best of all, it’s quick, easy, and full of simple ingredients you can grab at the grocery store. Let’s dive into this easy cherry chip cake recipe!
Yes! Divide the batter evenly between two greased 8-inch pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.
I wouldn’t recommend it. You can use chopped fresh cherries if that is all you have, but it will change the cherry flavor slightly. Maraschino cherries give that classic candy-sweet taste.
Definitely! Fold ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter for a chocolate cherry twist.
You can substitute with vanilla extract if needed. The cherry flavor will still shine through.
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Use a whisk attachment or an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes to get a creamy frosting.
- Room temperature ingredients blend better, so let your eggs and butter sit out for about 30 minutes before starting.
- Use a mini food processor to quickly chop maraschino cherries into even pieces.
- To avoid dense cake layers, don’t overmix the wet ingredients and dry ingredients.
- Grease and line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper for the easiest removal.
- If the frosting is too thin, add a little extra powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
Ingredient Notes
For the Cake:
- White cake mix: A box mix is a convenient base for building a flavorful cake with less effort.
- Large eggs: Help the cake batter bind together and create a fluffy texture.
- Vegetable oil: Adds moisture to the cake layers, making them rich and soft.
- Water: Keeps the cake light while blending the dry ingredients into a smooth batter.
- Maraschino cherry juice: Infuses the cake with a beautiful pink color and sweet cherry flavor.
- Almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty note that pairs perfectly with the cherries.
- Chopped maraschino cherries: Brings chewy bites of sweet cherry goodness throughout the whole cake.
- Optional maraschino cherries: Perfect for decorating the top of the cake with an extra pop of color.
For the Frosting:
- Unsalted butter (room temperature): Creates a creamy, smooth base for your cherry frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for easy spreading with an offset spatula.
- Maraschino cherry juice: Gives the frosting its signature pink color and cherry flavor.
How to Make Moist Cherry Chip Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix with the eggs, oil, water, cherry juice and almond extract until just mixed. Batter may be slightly lumpy.
- Stir in the chopped cherries to combine.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cake to fully cool.
- To prepare the frosting, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar and maraschino cherry juice with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth.
- Spread frosting over the top of the cooled cake with an offset spatula, then garnish with additional maraschino cherries if desired.
- Slice and enjoy your moist cherry chip cake!
Moist Cherry Chip Cake Recipe
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Ingredients
For the cake:
- 15 oz box white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup maraschino cherry juice use from maraschino cherry jar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ⅓ cup maraschino cherries chopped
- Optional: Additional maraschino cherries for decorating
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup maraschino cherry juice from jar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degree F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix with the eggs, oil, water, cherry juice and almond extract until just mixed. Batter may be slightly lumpy.
- Stir in the chopped cherries to combine.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cake to fully cool.
- To prepare the frosting, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar and maraschino cherry juice with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake and top with maraschino cherries to garnish.
- Slice and enjoy your moist cherry chip cake!
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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