This delightful Maraschino Cherry Cake recipe brings together the simplicity of a boxed cake mix with the vibrant flavor of maraschino cherries, all crowned with the most incredible, creamy, homemade frosting. Get ready to bake a truly memorable dessert!

Easy & Flavorful Maraschino Cherry Cake: A Delight for Any Occasion

Prepare to impress everyone with this remarkably easy yet utterly delicious Maraschino Cherry Cake. Its stunning pink hue, coupled with a delightful cherry and almond flavor, makes it an instant favorite at any gathering. You’ll find yourself falling in love with this cake from the very first bite, and your guests will undoubtedly ask for the recipe!

Why You’ll Adore This Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe

This isn’t just another cake recipe; it’s a nostalgic journey wrapped in a delightful dessert. Here’s why this Maraschino Cherry Cake stands out:

• Effortless Preparation: Starting with a boxed cake mix simplifies the process significantly, making this recipe accessible even for novice bakers. It cuts down on prep time without compromising on flavor or texture.
• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The combination of sweet maraschino cherries and a hint of almond extract creates a uniquely delicious taste that is both comforting and exciting. The almond extract, in particular, elevates the cherry flavor, turning a good cake into an extraordinary one.
• Visually Stunning: The gorgeous pink color of the cake, speckled with bright cherry pieces, makes for an eye-catching presentation. It’s perfect for celebrations, holidays, or simply brightening any dessert table.
• Perfectly Balanced Frosting: The homemade cream cheese frosting is light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, providing an ideal complement to the cherry cake. Infused with a touch of maraschino juice and almond extract, it harmonizes beautifully with the cake’s flavors.
• Crowd-Pleaser: This cake has a universal appeal. Whether you’re serving it at a birthday party, a potluck, or a family dinner, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with both children and adults alike.

By leveraging a few simple tricks and the right ingredients, you can create a dessert that tastes completely from scratch, even with the help of a convenient boxed mix. It’s the ideal recipe for those moments when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Expert Tips for Baking Your Perfect Cherry Cake

Achieving a moist, flavorful Maraschino Cherry Cake with a perfectly smooth frosting is easier than you think. Here are some indispensable tips to ensure your baking success:

• Embrace the Almond Extract: While optional, we strongly advocate for the use of almond extract in this recipe. It truly transforms the cake, adding a depth of flavor that beautifully enhances the maraschino cherry notes. If you’re hesitant or can’t find it, the cake will still be tasty, but the almond extract is the secret ingredient that elevates it to an amazing level.
• Softened Cream Cheese is Key: For the frosting, ensure your cream cheese is completely softened to room temperature. This is crucial for achieving that silky-smooth, lump-free consistency that makes homemade frosting so luxurious. Cold cream cheese will result in a clumpy frosting that is difficult to spread.
• Butter Temperature Matters Too: Just like the cream cheese, your salted butter should also be at room temperature. This allows it to cream together smoothly with the cream cheese, forming a consistent base for your frosting.
• Sifting Powdered Sugar: To guarantee an extra-smooth frosting, consider sifting your powdered sugar before adding it to the cream cheese and butter mixture. This prevents any small lumps from forming, ensuring a perfectly creamy texture.
• Alternative Frosting Option: In a pinch, you can certainly use a good quality store-bought cream cheese frosting. To customize it and bring it closer to our homemade version, simply stir in a tablespoon or two of maraschino cherry juice and a dash of almond extract. This will infuse it with the signature flavors of this cake.
• Proper Storage for Freshness: Due to its cream cheese frosting, this cake must be stored, covered, in the refrigerator. It will maintain its freshness and delicious taste for up to 3 days. For longer storage, this cake freezes beautifully. Simply place it in an airtight container, and it will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add the dry cake mix, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, drier cake. A few lumps are fine!
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Patience is a virtue when it comes to frosting a cake. Ensure your cake is absolutely, completely cooled before you even think about applying the frosting. Applying frosting to a warm cake will cause it to melt and slide off, creating a messy situation.

Essential Ingredients for Your Maraschino Cherry Cake

Crafting this delightful cake requires a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The combination of these components creates the signature flavor and moist texture of our Maraschino Cherry Cake and its irresistible cream cheese frosting.

For the Cake:

• Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and creates a tender crumb. Canola oil or another neutral-flavored oil works well.
• Water: Helps hydrate the cake mix and creates a smooth batter.
• Maraschino Cherry Juice: Drained from the jar of cherries, this juice infuses the cake with a beautiful pink hue and a concentrated cherry flavor.
• Almond Extract: The secret ingredient that truly elevates the cherry flavor and adds a gourmet touch to the cake.
• Vanilla Boxed Cake Mix: The foundation of our easy cake. A classic vanilla or white cake mix works perfectly as a canvas for the cherry and almond flavors.
• Maraschino Cherries: The star of the show! Cut into quarters, these colorful cherries are folded into the batter, providing bursts of sweet, fruity flavor throughout the cake.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature, it’s the base for our creamy, tangy, and sweet frosting. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.
• Salted Butter: Also softened to room temperature, butter adds richness and stability to the frosting. If using unsalted butter, you might want to add a tiny pinch of salt to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: The sweetener for the frosting, powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) dissolves easily to create a smooth consistency.
• Almond Extract: A touch more almond extract in the frosting ties all the flavors together, complementing the cake beautifully.
• Maraschino Cherry Juice: A small amount of this juice gives the frosting a delicate pink color and a subtle cherry flavor, perfectly matching the cake.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Maraschino Cherry Cake

Follow these easy instructions to create a wonderfully moist and flavorful Maraschino Cherry Cake, topped with our signature cream cheese frosting.

Baking the Maraschino Cherry Cake:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring every corner is covered to prevent sticking.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using either a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, combine the wet ingredients for the cake. Add 3 large eggs, ½ cup of oil, ¾ cup of water, ¼ cup of maraschino cherry juice, and ½ teaspoon of almond extract. Mix on medium speed until these ingredients are well incorporated and slightly frothy.
   

   

3. Add Cake Mix and Mix Well: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the entire box of vanilla cake mix to the wet ingredients. Once the dry mix is mostly incorporated, increase the speed to medium and mix until the batter is smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined and there are no dry pockets of cake mix. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to a dense cake.
   

   

4. Fold in Maraschino Cherries: Gently stir in the 16 maraschino cherries, which you have previously cut into quarters. Fold them in carefully using a spatula until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. This ensures pockets of delicious cherry flavor in every bite.
   

   

5. Pour and Bake: Pour the prepared cake batter evenly into your greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven.
   

   

6. Bake Until Done: Bake for approximately 30 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times can vary, so keep an eye on your cake. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before you even consider making or applying the frosting. This step is crucial to prevent the frosting from melting.

Preparing the Irresistible Cream Cheese Frosting:

7. Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: While the cake is cooling, or once it’s completely cooled, begin preparing the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or stand mixer, combine 4 ounces (½ block) of softened cream cheese and ⅓ cup of softened salted butter. Beat them together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth, with no lumps. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.
   

   

8. Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: With the mixer on its lowest speed, slowly add the 2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Starting slow is essential to prevent a cloud of powdered sugar from flying out of the bowl! Once the sugar is mostly incorporated, you can increase the speed slightly to ensure it’s fully blended, creating a thick, smooth consistency.
   

   

9. Infuse with Flavor: Finally, add ½ teaspoon of almond extract and 1 tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice to the frosting mixture. These ingredients will give the frosting its characteristic flavor and a beautiful light pink color.
   

   

10. Mix Until Smooth and Spread: Mix the frosting on medium speed until it is completely smooth, creamy, and well combined. Once your cake is thoroughly cooled, generously spread this yummy and pretty pink frosting over the entire surface of the cake. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create lovely swirls.
    

    

11. Garnish and Serve: For a final flourish, top individual slices or the entire cake with extra whole maraschino cherries. Now, it’s time to dig in and enjoy! Remember, because of the cream cheese frosting, any uneaten portions should be stored covered in the refrigerator.
    

    

Enhance Your Maraschino Cherry Cake Experience

This Maraschino Cherry Cake is perfect as is, but there are always ways to elevate your baking and presentation. Consider these ideas to make your cake truly unforgettable:

• Garnish with Flair: Beyond whole maraschino cherries, consider adding a sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds for extra crunch and to highlight the almond flavor. A light dusting of powdered sugar over the frosting before adding cherries can also add a touch of elegance.
• Serve with a Side: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream can be a wonderful accompaniment, adding another layer of creamy indulgence.
• Perfect Pairings: This sweet and fruity cake pairs beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of iced tea. For a celebratory touch, a sparkling cider or a sweet dessert wine could also be an excellent match.
• Occasions: While perfect for everyday enjoyment, this cake shines at special events. Its vibrant color makes it ideal for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, baby showers, or any occasion where you want to add a touch of cheer and sweetness.

Variations to Try

Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ways to customize your Maraschino Cherry Cake:

• Chocolate Cherry Delight: For chocolate lovers, swap out the vanilla cake mix for a chocolate cake mix. The combination of chocolate and cherry is a classic that’s hard to beat!
• Citrus Burst: Replace the almond extract with lemon or orange extract for a brighter, zestier flavor profile. A little citrus zest folded into the batter or frosting could also be delightful.
• Nutty Crunch: Incorporate ½ cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the cake batter for added texture and a nutty complement to the cherry flavor.
• Cupcake Version: Turn this recipe into adorable Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes! Simply divide the batter into lined cupcake tins and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Frost once cooled.

Craving More Delicious Recipes?

If you’ve enjoyed this Maraschino Cherry Cake, you’re in for a treat! Explore more delightful dessert recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth:

• Cherry Almond Poke Cake
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Bars
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
• Shirley Temple Poke Cake
• Cherry Pie Bites
• Black Forest Poke Cake
• Cherry Dump Cake
• Crescent Cherry Cheesecake Cobbler
• Skillet Cherry Cobbler
• Cherry Crumble Bars

This recipe was originally published in July 2016 and updated with new photos and expanded content in April 2024 to provide you with the best possible baking experience.

Recipe Summary

Maraschino Cherry Cake: A delightful and easy-to-make dessert featuring a moist cake base made from a boxed mix, studded with vibrant maraschino cherries, and topped with a rich, creamy homemade cream cheese frosting infused with cherry and almond flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 12 slices
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American
• Author: Brandie Skibinski

Nutritional Information (Estimate per serving):

Calories: 369 kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 324mg | Sugar: 38g

Nutritional Disclaimer

Please note that “The Country Cook” is not a certified dietician or nutritionist. All nutritional information shared is an estimate based on standard ingredient calculations. If precise calorie counts and other nutritional values are important for your dietary needs, we recommend independently running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Actual nutritional values can vary significantly depending on the specific brands and exact measurements of ingredients used.