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Cherry Chip Cake is a soft and fluffy dessert packed with sweet cherry-flavored chips, offering a nostalgic, fruity twist on a classic vanilla cake. With its delicate pink hue and bursts of cherry sweetness, this cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any time you crave something special.
Often topped with a creamy cherry frosting, every bite is filled with rich flavor and a hint of nostalgia.
Whether you make it as a layer cake, sheet cake, or cupcakes, this delightful treat is sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Fluffy Texture: A light, tender crumb with the perfect balance of moisture.
- Burst of Cherry Flavor: The cherry chips add a fruity sweetness to every bite.
- Beautiful & Festive: A soft pink hue makes it perfect for celebrations.
- Creamy Cherry Frosting: A luscious topping that enhances the cake’s flavor.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients come together for a delicious homemade treat.
What to Serve with Cherry Chip Cake
- Vanilla Ice Cream: A creamy complement to the fruity flavors.
- Whipped Cream: Light and airy, adding extra indulgence.
- Fresh Cherries: A simple garnish that enhances the cherry theme.
- Milk or Coffee: Perfect drinks to balance the sweetness.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: A fancy finishing touch for extra richness.
Ingredient Breakdown
Each ingredient plays a key role in making this cake soft, flavorful, and perfectly sweet:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cake.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Helps create a light, airy texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and keeps the cake moist.
- Sugar: Sweetens and enhances the cherry flavor.
- Eggs: Contribute to structure and tenderness.
- Sour Cream or Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tang.
- Vanilla & Almond Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Cherry Chips: The star ingredient, adding fruity sweetness.
Pro Tip Before Starting
For an even distribution of cherry chips, toss them in a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter—this prevents them from sinking to the bottom.
Cherry Chip Cake
A soft and fluffy cherry chip cake with bursts of cherry flavor, topped with creamy cherry frosting for a nostalgic and indulgent treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup sour cream or buttermilk
- 1 cup cherry chips
For the Cherry Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: chopped maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extract.
- Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and sour cream (or buttermilk) to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Cherry Chips: Gently fold in the cherry chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well. Add maraschino cherry juice, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble & Frost: Spread frosting over one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake. Garnish with chopped maraschino cherries if desired.
- Serve & Enjoy: Slice and enjoy your homemade cherry chip cake!
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months; thaw and frost before serving.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend.More Cherry Flavor: Add 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries to the batter.
- Alternative Frosting: Swap cherry frosting for cream cheese or white chocolate buttercream.
Pro Tip After Preparing
For a professional bakery-style finish, chill the frosted cake for 30 minutes before serving—it helps set the frosting and enhances the flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cake as cupcakes?
Yes! Bake in a lined cupcake pan at 350°F (175°C) for 18-20 minutes.
Where can I find cherry chips?
Many baking supply stores carry them, or you can substitute them with chopped dried cherries.
Can I use fresh cherries instead?
Yes, finely chopped fresh cherries can be used, but they may release moisture into the batter.
Wrapping it up
Cherry Chip Cake is a delightful, nostalgic treat that brings a fruity twist to a classic vanilla cake.
With its soft, fluffy texture and bursts of cherry sweetness, it’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion that calls for a special dessert.
Try this recipe today and enjoy a homemade cake that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
