Description
This Homemade Cherry Chip Cake is a delightful and moist layered cake bursting with sweet maraschino cherries and a luscious cherry-infused buttercream frosting. Perfect for celebrations or a special treat, this recipe combines tender cake layers studded with chopped cherries and a creamy, flavorful frosting made with cherry juice for a vibrant touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (170g) salted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 4 large egg whites, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups (353g) all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
- 3/4 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
- 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries (about 1 cup before chopping)
Frosting
- 1 1/2 cups (341g) salted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (341g) vegetable shortening
- 12 cups (1,440g) powdered sugar
- 6–8 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- Additional maraschino cherries with stems for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare Pans and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottoms of three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper circles and spray the sides with baking spray to ensure easy removal.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the whole egg, egg whites, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, mixing well. Remember to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even blending.
- Add Flour and Baking Powder (First Half): Add half of the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the bowl. Mix on low speed just until combined, leaving a few streaks of flour visible to prevent overmixing.
- Mix in Sour Cream and Cherry Juice: Blend in the full-fat sour cream and maraschino cherry juice thoroughly to create a smooth batter.
- Add Remaining Flour and Milk: Add the remaining flour and mix until just combined. Then, add the milk and mix again gently, scraping the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated without overmixing.
- Fold in Chopped Cherries: Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries by hand to evenly distribute without breaking them down.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Bake for 24 to 26 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cool the cakes completely on wire racks.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and vegetable shortening together on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Cherry Juice in Stages: Add 4 cups of powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Then add 3 tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice and beat to incorporate. Repeat this process with another 4 cups of powdered sugar followed by 3 tablespoons of cherry juice. Finally, add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until the frosting is smooth and thick but slightly sticky. Add extra cherry juice as needed for desired consistency.
- Assemble the Cake: Level each cooled cake layer by trimming any domed tops. Place the bottom layer on a serving plate and spread 1 1/2 cups of frosting evenly over it. Repeat with the second layer and frosting. Place the final cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with most of the remaining frosting, reserving about 1 cup for decoration.
- Decorate: Use the reserved frosting to pipe decorations on top of the cake and garnish with additional maraschino cherries with stems for an elegant finish. Slice and serve.
Notes
- You will need a 16-ounce jar of maraschino cherries for the cake itself. Consider purchasing an additional jar of cherries with stems for decoration.
- For best results, ensure all dairy ingredients and eggs are at room temperature before beginning.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour to keep the cake tender and light.
- Chilling the frosting slightly before spreading can help achieve a smoother finish if it becomes too soft.
