Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Remember those birthday parties, school bake sales, and family gatherings where a colorful, cheerful cake stole the show? For me, that cake was always a cherry chip cake recipe. The moist, vanilla-infused crumb dotted with sweet cherries and chocolate chips was pure magic. And you know what? Recreating that magic at home is easier than you think!
This recipe for cherry chip cake is more than just a way to bake; it’s a simple guide that helps you remember happy times and create new memories, too. It’s an easy guide that will help you make a cake that everyone will love and want more of. I’ll show you how to pick the best cherries and make the perfect frosting. Follow my tips to bake a cherry chip cake recipe that is full of flavor and good feelings.
Table of contents
Ingredients: Your Cherry Chip Cake Recipe Shopping List
Let’s get started with the essentials! I’ve found that using high-quality ingredients makes a HUGE difference in the final result. Here’s what you’ll need to make your cherry chip cake truly special:
Ingredient | Quantity | Special Notes |
All-Purpose Flour | 3 cups | Make sure it’s fresh! Sift it for a lighter crumb. |
Baking Powder | 3 teaspoons | Double-acting is best for a good rise. |
Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | Enhances the sweetness. |
Unsalted Butter | 1 cup (2 sticks) | Softened to room temperature. This is KEY for creaming properly. |
Granulated Sugar | 2 cups | For sweetness and moisture. |
Eggs | 3 large | Room temperature, please! They emulsify better. |
Vanilla Extract | 2 teaspoons | Pure vanilla extract is worth the splurge! |
Milk | 1 cup | Whole milk adds richness, but you can use 2% or even a non-dairy alternative. |
Maraschino Cherries | 1 cup | Drained and chopped. Pat them dry with paper towels to prevent bleeding into the batter. |
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips | 1 cup | Mini chips work best for even distribution. |
Kitchen Equipment Needed for a Perfect Cherry Chip cake Recipe
Having the right tools makes all the difference. Here’s what I recommend:
- Mixer Type for Mixing Butter and Sugar: Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to mix the butter and sugar together.
- Two round cake pans that are 9 inches in size: Make sure to grease them and sprinkle flour inside (or you can use parchment paper).
- Mixing Bowls: For dry and wet ingredients.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial!
- Rubber Spatula: For folding in the cherries and chocolate chips.
- Wire Rack: For cooling the cakes.
- Offset Spatula: For frosting the cake (optional, but helpful).
Expert Tip for the Best Cherry Flavor
“To make a really great cherry chip cake, it’s important to use good maraschino cherries. Make sure to drain them well and dry them off,” says well-known pastry chef, Emily Carter. “This stops the color from mixing into the cake batter and helps the cake stay bright and tasty.”
Baking Your Dream Cherry Chip Cake Recipe: Step-by-Step
Time needed: 20 minutes
Alright, let’s get baking!
- Preheat:
Turn-on your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your cake pans as mentioned above.
- Mix Dry Ingredients :
In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients :
In another bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Blend Wet and Dry :
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Cherries and Chips :
Gently fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips to avoid overmixing.
- Bake :
Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Frost :
Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Pro Tips for a Moist and Delicious Cherry Chip Cake
Don’t Overbake: Overbaking is the enemy of a moist cake! Check for doneness with a wooden skewer.
- Avoid Overmixing : Mixing too much can make the flour tough, which can lead to a hard cake. It’s best to mix just enough until everything is combined.
- Pat Dry Cherries : Excess moisture from cherries can affect the batter’s consistency.
- Toast Chocolate Chips : For extra flavor, toast the chips lightly before folding them in.
Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Cherry Chip Cake Experience
- Classic Slice: A tasty piece of cherry chip cake with a spoon of whipped cream is always a great choice.
- Cherry Chip Cake Sundae: Put some vanilla ice cream on a slice. Add hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on the top!
- Layered Parfaits: Crumble the cake and layer it in a glass with whipped cream, fresh cherries, and chocolate shavings.
- Cherry Chip Cake Pops: Crumble the cake, mix it with frosting, roll it into balls, dip them in melted chocolate, and decorate with sprinkles.
Cherry Chip Cake: A Sweet Treat with Nutrients
(Note: This is an estimate and will vary based on specific ingredients and serving size.)
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (approximate) |
Calories | 350-450 |
Fat | 15-20g |
Saturated Fat | 8-12g |
Cholesterol | 75-100mg |
Sodium | 200-300mg |
Carbohydrates | 45-55g |
Sugar | 30-40g |
Protein | 4-6g |
Spice It Up: Variations and Creative Twists
- Almond Extract: Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. This will give a light almond taste that goes well with the cherries.
- White Chocolate Chips: Substitute white chocolate chips for semi-sweet for a sweeter, creamier flavor.
- Cherry Glaze: Drizzle a simple cherry glaze over the cake for added sweetness and shine. (Mix powdered sugar with a little maraschino cherry juice.)
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make this cake gluten-free.
Is This the Cake for You? Consider This First
While this cherry chip cake recipe is delicious, it might not be the best choice for everyone.
- Dietary Restrictions: If you’re following a strict sugar-free or low-carb diet, this cake is probably not a good fit.
- Allergies: Be mindful of potential allergens, such as gluten, dairy, and eggs. Always check ingredient labels.
- Cherry Aversion: Let’s be honest, if you hate cherries, this cake is definitely not for you!
FAQ Section:
Yes! Just pit and chop them finely, but reduce the sugar slightly since fresh cherries are less sweet.
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Absolutely! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
Cream cheese frosting pairs beautifully, but buttercream or whipped ganache also work well.
Toss them in a little flour before folding them into the batter to prevent sinking.
Let’s Talk Cake! Share Your Thoughts
What are your best memories of cake from when you were a child? Do you have any special ingredients you like to use in your cherry chip cake? Don’t forget to share your stories and ideas in the comments section below!
If you liked this recipe, don’t forget to look at my other cake recipes too!
My Cherry Chip Cake Adventures: A Personal Story
I will never forget the time I was baking this cherry chip cake for my best friend’s birthday. I managed to pick up the salt instead of sugar! and I didn’t realize that I did until the cake was already in the oven. The whole house smelled like some kind of salty, strange dessert. I was devastated! But thankfully I had enough ingredients to make another cake, and I learned a valuable lesson about paying attention when baking! It always brings a smile to my face every time I bake this cake and I always double check my ingredients.
How To Make Cherry Chip Cake Recipe: Tasty and Fun
Equipment
- Mixer Type for Mixing Butter and Sugar Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to mix the butter and sugar together.
- Two round cake pans that are 9 inches in size Make sure to grease them and sprinkle flour inside (or you can use parchment paper).
- Mixing Bowls For dry and wet ingredients.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons Accurate measurements are crucial!
- Rubber Spatula For folding in the cherries and chocolate chips.
- Wire Rack For cooling the cakes.
- Offset Spatula For frosting the cake (optional, but helpful).
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour 3 cups Make sure it’s fresh! Sift it for a lighter crumb.
- Baking Powder 3 teaspoons Double-acting is best for a good rise.
- Salt 1/2 teaspoon Enhances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter 1 cup 2 sticks Softened to room temperature. This is KEY for creaming properly.
- Granulated Sugar 2 cups For sweetness and moisture.
- Eggs 3 large Room temperature please! They emulsify better.
- Vanilla Extract 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract is worth the splurge!
- Milk 1 cup Whole milk adds richness, but you can use 2% or even a non-dairy alternative.
- Maraschino Cherries 1 cup Drained and chopped. Pat them dry with paper towels to prevent bleeding into the batter.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 1 cup Mini chips work best for even distribution.
Instructions
- Preheat: Turn-on your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your cake pans as mentioned above.
- Mix Dry Ingredients : In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients : In another bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Blend Wet and Dry : Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in Cherries and Chips : Gently fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips to avoid overmixing.
- Bake : Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Frost : Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
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