Description

This luscious Cherry Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, flavorful dessert that beautifully balances the sweet tartness of fresh cherries with a creamy, velvety frosting infused with real cherry flavor. Perfect for any celebration or casual indulgence, this cake offers a delightful twist on classic cherry desserts with an easy-to-follow recipe and versatile customization options.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

1½ cups fresh cherries, pitted and chopped (plus additional for garnish)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup milk (adjust as needed)

Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cherry jam or cherry puree
1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (to adjust frosting consistency)

Instructions

Prepare the Cherries: Start by pitting and roughly chopping fresh cherries, setting aside a handful for garnish. This ensures your cake has juicy pockets bursting with cherry flavor and adds texture throughout.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This helps distribute the leavening agent evenly, resulting in a tender and evenly risen cake.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which leads to a soft cake crumb.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: One at a time, add the eggs to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the cake’s flavor.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and a splash of milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Gently fold in the chopped cherries, being careful not to overmix.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then fold in cherry jam or puree. Adjust the consistency with a little milk or heavy cream to make frosting smooth for spreading.
Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cooled, generously spread the cherry cream cheese frosting over the top and sides. Decorate with reserved cherries or additional toppings if desired.

Notes

Use room-temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese to ensure smooth mixing and a tender crumb.
Gently fold ingredients to avoid overmixing, which can develop gluten and make the cake dense.
Fresh, ripe cherries provide the best flavor and texture.
If the frosting becomes too soft, refrigerate briefly to make spreading easier.
Start checking for doneness with a toothpick around 30 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of cake)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 32 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg

Keywords: cherry cake, cherry cream cheese frosting, cherry dessert, fruity cake, moist cake, cream cheese frosting, homemade cake