Cherry Chip Cake Recipe – A Nostalgic, Sweet, and Perfectly Pink Dessert Everyone Loves

There are desserts that feel fun. There are desserts that feel comforting. And then, there are desserts like Cherry Chip Cake recipe—the kind that instantly reminds people of childhood birthdays, pastel-colored parties, and those little flavor moments that bring a smile to your face before you even take a bite.

Cherry chip cake isn’t your ordinary vanilla or chocolate cake. It’s soft, moist, buttery, and dotted with tiny bursts of sweet cherry flavor in every bite. Whether you use maraschino cherries, fresh cherries, or cherry chips, the result is a cake that looks festive and tastes even better.

In this article, you’ll discover how to make the best cherry chip cake recipe from scratch, the secrets behind its nostalgic charm, flavor variations, expert baking tips, frosting ideas

Let’s bake something unforgettable.

What Makes Cherry Chip Cake So Special?

Cherry chip cake is more than just a pink dessert. Here’s why this cake has remained loved for decades:

1. It’s nostalgic and comforting

Many people remember cherry chip cake from their childhood. It brings back warm memories of birthday parties, homemade treats, and simple happiness. It’s a flavor that has emotional value.

2. It has a rare and unique flavor

Most cakes focus on chocolate, vanilla, or lemon. Cherry chip cake brings a fun twist—subtle almond, sweet cherry bits, and a delicate pink hue. The flavor is distinct without being overwhelming.

3. The texture is incredibly moist

Adding cherry juice, sour cream, and butter keeps the cake tender, light, and soft. The cherry pieces create tiny pockets of moisture.

4. It looks beautiful without effort

Those little pops of pink inside the cake give it a built-in aesthetic. Whether iced with white buttercream or cherry frosting, it always looks like a celebration.

5. Perfect for any occasion

Birthdays, baby showers, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day—cherry chip cake brings color and joy to the table.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cherry Chip Cake

This recipe is made completely from scratch but uses simple, affordable ingredients you can easily find.

For the Cake

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sour cream (makes cake super moist)
½ cup milk
½ cup maraschino cherry juice (from the jar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
1 ½ cups chopped maraschino cherries
½ cup mini white chocolate chips or cherry chips (optional but enhances flavor)

For the Frosting (Cherry Buttercream)

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
3–5 tablespoons cherry juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Extra chopped cherries for decorating (optional)

How to Make Cherry Chip Cake – Step-by-Step

This recipe creates a moist, flavorful cake with the perfect cherry flavor throughout.cherry chip cake recipe

1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease and flour:

Two 8-inch cake pans, or
One 9×13-inch baking pan

Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

Flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt

This helps the cake rise evenly and prevents lumps in the batter.

3. Cream Butter and Sugar

Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together for 3–5 minutes until fluffy and pale.

This step creates air pockets, giving your cake a soft, tender crumb.

4. Add the Eggs One at a Time

Mix in the eggs, one by one.

Scrape the bowl to ensure even mixing.

5. Add Sour Cream, Vanilla, Almond Extract, and Cherry Juice

Sour cream keeps the cake moist for days.

Cherry juice adds color and flavor without artificial dyes.

Almond extract enhances the cherry taste beautifully.

6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients gradually, alternating with the milk.cherry chip cake recipe

Mix gently—overmixing can make the cake dense.

7. Fold in Cherries and Chips

Fold in:

Chopped cherries
Cherry chips or mini white chocolate chips

This prevents the cherries from sinking and disperses them evenly.

8. Pour Batter Into the Pan

Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Smooth the tops with a spatula.

9. Bake to Perfection

Bake for:

25–30 minutes for layer cakes
35–40 minutes for a 9×13 pan

Insert a toothpick—if it comes out clean, it’s ready.

Let cakes cool completely before frosting.cherry chip cake recipe

How to Make Cherry Buttercream Frosting

This frosting is creamy, smooth, and lightly flavored with cherry without being overwhelming.

1. Beat the Butter

Whip butter for 2 minutes until creamy.

2. Add Powdered Sugar Gradually

Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time.

Beat well after each addition.

3. Add Cherry Juice and Vanilla

Start with 2 tablespoons of cherry juice and add more until you get the perfect consistency.

This turns the frosting a naturally soft pink.

4. Add Salt

A small pinch balances the sweetness.

5. Frost the Cake

Spread frosting between layers and over the top.

Decorate with extra cherries if you want extra color.

Expert Tips for the Best Cherry Chip Cake

1. Dry your cherries before adding them

Patting them dry helps prevent streaking and keeps the cake from becoming soggy.

2. Almond extract makes the flavor magical

Just ½ teaspoon deepens the cherry flavor beautifully.

3. Don’t overmix

Overmixing leads to dense cake. Mix only until combined.

4. Use room-temperature ingredients

Room-temperature eggs and butter blend more smoothly.

5. Let the cake cool fully before frosting

Warm cake melts buttercream.cherry chip cake recipe

Flavor Variations You Can Try

You can customize this recipe in several fun ways:

1. Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake

Add mini chocolate chips instead of white chips.

2. Cherry Almond Cake

Increase almond extract and add sliced almonds on top.

3. Cherry Coconut Cake

Stir shredded coconut into the batter.

4. Cherry Lemon Cake

Add lemon zest for a bright citrus twist.

5. Gluten-Free Cherry Chip Cake

Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

What to Serve With Cherry Chip Cake

This cake pairs wonderfully with:

Vanilla ice cream
Fresh berries
Whipped cream
Hot tea or coffee

The sweetness of the cake matches well with simpler sides.cherry chip cake recipe

How to Store and Keep Fresh

Room Temperature:

Up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Refrigerator:

Up to 5–6 days (best for warm climates).

Freezer:

Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Yes! Just chop and dry them well.

Q: Can I make this cake without almond extract?

Yes. The vanilla-only version is still delicious.

Q: Can I make cupcakes with this batter?

Absolutely—bake for 16–18 minutes.

Q: Is this recipe beginner-friendly?

Very! The steps are simple and forgiving.cherry chip cake recipe

Final Thoughts

Cherry chip cake recipe is the kind of dessert that makes everyone smile. It’s nostalgic, colorful, moist, and bursting with sweet cherry flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking it for a celebration or just craving something happy and delicious, this recipe brings joy from start to finish.cherry chip cake recipe

cherry chip cake recipe Its soft crumb, pastel pink color, and delicate cherry taste make it stand out from the usual cake flavors—and once you try it homemade, you’ll never want the boxed version again.cherry chip cake recipe

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