There's something absolutely magical about a perfectly baked cherry chip cake that brings back childhood memories and creates new ones. This delightful dessert combines the sweet-tart flavor of maraschino cherries with a tender, moist cake base that's guaranteed to become your go-to recipe for special occasions. As someone who's spent years perfecting this cherry chip cake recipe, I can confidently say that once you try this homemade version, you'll never want to go back to store-bought alternatives.
What makes this cherry chip cake truly special is its versatility and foolproof nature - whether you're a beginner baker or an experienced home chef, this recipe delivers consistent, bakery-quality results every single time. The combination of cherry chip cake flavors with a perfectly balanced sweetness creates a dessert that's both nostalgic and contemporary, making it ideal for birthdays, family gatherings, or simply when you're craving something extraordinarily delicious.
Why This Cherry Chip Cake Recipe Stands Out?
Unlike many complicated dessert recipes that require specialized ingredients or techniques, this cherry chip cake recipe focuses on simplicity without sacrificing flavor or texture. The secret lies in the careful balance of ingredients and the specific method we use to incorporate the cherry pieces, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the batter without sinking to the bottom. This approach guarantees that every bite of your cherry chip cake delivers the perfect combination of vanilla cake and sweet cherry flavor.
What truly sets this cherry chip cake apart from others is the attention to detail in both the mixing process and baking technique. By following these time-tested methods, you'll achieve a cake with the ideal crumb structure - tender yet sturdy enough to hold the cherry pieces beautifully. The result is a cherry chip cake that's not only visually stunning with its pink-speckled appearance but also delivers an exceptional taste experience that will have your family and friends asking for the recipe every single time.
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Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Whole milk
- Maraschino cherries
- Cherry juice from jar
- Pink food coloring
- Powdered sugar
- Cream cheese
- Heavy cream
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare Your Baking Setup
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans
- Line pans with parchment paper for easy removal
- Drain maraschino cherries and chop into small pieces
- Reserve ¼ cup cherry juice for the batter
Mix the Batter
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and almond extracts
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk mixture
- Fold in chopped cherries and cherry juice gently
Bake and Cool
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes before turning out
- Cool completely before frosting
Equipment For Cherry Chip Cake
- Two 9-inch round cake pans
- Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer)
- Large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire cooling racks
- Rubber spatula for folding
- Offset spatula for frosting
- Fine-mesh strainer for cherries
Expert Cooking Tips
- Always drain cherries thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels
- Toss chopped cherries in a light coating of flour to prevent sinking
- Don't overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best cherry chip cake texture
- Test for doneness with a toothpick in the center of each layer
- Allow layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting
Recipe Variations
- Create cherry chip cake cupcakes using the same batter in muffin tins
- Add chocolate chips along with cherries for a double-flavor treat
- Make a cherry chip bundt cake using a bundt pan and longer baking time
- Try lemon extract instead of almond for a citrus twist
- Create a sheet cake version for larger gatherings
- Add coconut flakes for tropical cherry chip cake variation
Storage
- Store unfrosted cake layers wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days
- Frosted cherry chip cake keeps covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days
- Freeze unfrosted layers for up to 3 months in freezer-safe wrap
- Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature before serving
- Cut cake with a sharp, clean knife for neat slices
Sweet Secrets to Cherry Chip Cake Perfection
The key to achieving bakery-quality cherry chip cake at home lies in two crucial techniques that most home bakers overlook. First, always reserve some of the cherry juice from your maraschino cherry jar and incorporate it directly into your batter - this intensifies the cherry flavor throughout the entire cake rather than just where the cherry pieces are located. Second, lightly dust your chopped cherries with flour before folding them into the batter; this simple step prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
Another professional secret involves the frosting temperature and consistency when working with your finished cherry chip cake. Always ensure your cake layers are completely cool before applying any frosting, and if you're using cream cheese frosting, let it come to room temperature for easier spreading. The contrast between the tender, cherry-studded cake and smooth, creamy frosting creates the perfect textural balance that makes this dessert absolutely irresistible.
FAQ
Did Betty Crocker discontinue Cherry Chip cake?
Yes, Betty Crocker did discontinue their popular cherry chip cake mix, which disappointed many home bakers who relied on this convenient option. However, this homemade cherry chip cake recipe delivers even better results than the boxed version, with fresher flavors and the ability to control the sweetness and cherry intensity to your preference.
What does cherry chip cake taste like?
Cherry chip cake has a delicate vanilla base with sweet, slightly tart notes from maraschino cherries distributed throughout. The flavor is reminiscent of childhood birthday parties, with a subtle almond undertone that complements the cherry perfectly. This cherry chip cake offers a nostalgic taste that's both comforting and celebratory, making it ideal for special occasions.
Does anyone make cherry chip cake mix?
While Betty Crocker discontinued theirs, some specialty baking companies and smaller brands occasionally produce cherry chip cake mixes, though they're not widely available in most grocery stores. However, making this cherry chip cake from scratch is surprisingly easy and results in a far superior flavor and texture compared to any boxed mix alternative.
What is a Tom Selleck cake?
Tom Selleck cake, also known as "Sex in a Pan," is a layered dessert with a pecan crust, cream cheese layer, chocolate pudding, and whipped topping. It's completely different from cherry chip cake, though both are popular homemade desserts. This cherry chip cake recipe offers a more traditional cake experience with its fluffy layers and cherry-studded crumb structure.
Sweet Endings: More Delicious Cake Adventures
Now that you've mastered this incredible cherry chip cake recipe, your baking journey doesn't have to end here. The same techniques you've learned - from proper ingredient preparation to achieving the perfect cake texture - will serve you well in exploring other fruity cake variations. Consider trying our Easy Steps to Perfect Strawberry Rhubarb Cake Recipe, which combines the tartness of rhubarb with sweet strawberries in a similar tender cake base, or venture into our Perfect Peach Cobbler Pound Cake Recipe for a dense, buttery cake that captures all the flavors of summer peach cobbler.
These complementary recipes will expand your repertoire while building on the skills you've developed with this cherry chip cake. Whether you're planning a summer gathering, celebrating a special occasion, or simply want to fill your kitchen with the aroma of freshly baked goodness, these cherry chip cake techniques and the additional recipes provide you with a solid foundation for creating memorable desserts that will delight family and friends for years to come.
From my kitchen, with heart.
Megan Riley ❤️
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Cherry Chip Cake
Equipment
- 2 9-inch round cake pans Lined with parchment
- 1 Electric mixer Hand or stand mixer
- 3 Mixing bowls For wet, dry, and frosting
- 1 set Measuring cups/spoons Standard set
- 1 Wire cooling rack For cooling cakes
- 1 Rubber spatula Folding batter
- 1 Offset spatula Frosting application
- 1 Fine-mesh strainer For draining cherries
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 2 ½ cups All-purpose flour sifted
- 1 ½ cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted butter softened
- 4 large Eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon Almond extract optional
- 2 ½ teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Whole milk room temperature
- 1 cup Maraschino cherries chopped, patted dry
- ¼ cup Cherry juice from jar
- few drops Pink food coloring optional
Frosting
- 8 oz Cream cheese softened
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- ½ cup Heavy cream whipped for frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare cake pans with parchment paper.
- Drain, chop, and pat dry the maraschino cherries.
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and almond extract.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the batter.
- Fold in chopped cherries and cherry juice (and food coloring, if using).
- Divide batter between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Frost the cakes once completely cooled using cream cheese frosting.
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