Cherry Layer Cake {with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting}

Cherry Layer Cake {with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting}

Embark on a sweet journey with this Cherry Layer Cake, crowned with lush Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting. Each bite blends soft, tender crumb with bright cherry flavor and silky frosting.

Whether it’s a birthday, a brunch, or a cozy weekend bake, this cake brings bakery-quality joy to your table. Because it layers beautifully and slices cleanly, it also makes a stellar celebration centerpiece.

Ideal for special moments and simple pleasures alike, this recipe captures everything we love about a classic cherry cake—light texture, balanced sweetness, and a frosting that feels dreamy yet stable. Ready to bake a showstopper that tastes even better than it looks? Let’s dive in.

Flavorful and Moist: Your New Go-To Cherry Layer Cake {with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting}

This cherry layer cake delivers tender layers, real cherry notes, and rich cream cheese frosting. Yet the method stays friendly for home bakers. Moreover, the batter mixes smoothly, the crumb bakes evenly, and the frosting spreads like a dream. For extra inspiration while you plan desserts, you might enjoy this bright and creamy treat too: Pineapple Pie with Cream Cheese.

Here’s how you can achieve bakery results at home, with reliable steps and professional tips to ensure every layer bakes up light, level, and lovely.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Cherry Layer Cake:

1. Room-Temp Ingredients: For an airy crumb, bring butter, sour cream, and egg whites to room temperature before mixing.
2. Weigh or Level Flour: Measure flour accurately to avoid dense layers; spoon and level, or use a scale.
3. Don’t Overmix: After adding dry ingredients, mix just until combined to keep the crumb tender.
4. Dust the Cherries: Toss chopped maraschinos with flour so they don’t sink. The pieces will stay suspended.
5. Even Layers: Divide batter with a scale for uniform layers that stack neatly.
6. Cool Completely: Before frosting, cool layers fully. Warm cake will melt the frosting.
7. Chill for Clean Slices: After frosting, chill 20–30 minutes. Then slice for crisp, gorgeous cuts.
8. Flavor Boost: A touch more cherry juice can tint the frosting and enhance flavor without thinning it too much.
9. Sturdy but Silky Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth before adding sugar for a glossy finish.
10. Serve at Cool Room Temp: The frosting softens beautifully as it sits, yielding a plush, creamy bite. For another layered dessert idea, see these pretty Blueberry Lemon Custard Bars.

Cherry Layer Cake {with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting} Recipe

• Preparation time: 30 minutes
• Baking time: 25–28 minutes
• Servings: 12–14
• Equipment: Three 8- or 9-inch round cake pans, parchment, mixing bowls, stand or hand mixer, wire racks, offset spatula

With these cherry-kissed layers and tangy-sweet frosting, your kitchen turns into a patisserie. Furthermore, the cake holds beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients:

US Customary | Metric | 1x | 2x | 3x

Cherry Cake Layers
▢ 2½ cups all-purpose flour + another 2 tablespoons for dusting cherries
▢ 3 teaspoons baking powder
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ 6 large egg whites, room temperature
▢ ⅔ cup maraschino cherry juice
▢ ¾ cup whole milk, room temperature
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
▢ 1½ cups granulated sugar
▢ ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
▢ 20 maraschino cherries, chopped

Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting
▢ 1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
▢ 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
▢ 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
▢ 8 cups powdered sugar

While you prep, dessert lovers might also like these bite-size beauties for party trays: Cheesecake Crescent Rolls.

Directions:

Cherry Cake Layers

1. Preheat and Prep Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line three 8" or 9" round pans with parchment.
2. Whisk Dry: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Blend Liquids: In another medium bowl, whisk egg whites, cherry juice, milk, and vanilla.
4. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add sour cream; mix until combined. Scrape bowl as needed.
5. Combine in Stages: Mix in half the dry ingredients just until combined. Then mix in all the egg-white mixture. Finally, mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Do not overmix.
6. Fold in Cherries: Toss chopped cherries with 2 tablespoons flour, then fold into batter. Divide evenly among pans.
7. Bake: Bake 25–28 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans 5 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks. Cool completely.

Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat Base: Beat butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
2. Flavor and Finish: Add cherry juice; mix until combined. Scrape bowl. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until fully combined and fluffy.

Assembly

1. First Layer: Place one cake layer on a decorating turntable or serving plate. Spread about ½ cup frosting on top.
2. Stack and Repeat: Add second layer; frost the top. Place third layer; add more frosting.
3. Frost Sides and Decorate: Frost sides until smooth. Pipe rosettes or swoops on top and garnish with extra cherries if you like. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Leftovers keep up to 3 days.

For a charming sheet-pan style dessert to pair with your cake table, try these Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars. Additionally, if you’re planning a full dessert spread, a nostalgic classic like Pineapple Upside-Down Cake always delights guests alongside cherry flavors.

Ready to Relish!

This Cherry Layer Cake {with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting} brings bakery elegance to your home kitchen. The crumb tastes tender, the cherries shine brightly, and the frosting offers a creamy, tangy finish. Moreover, the layers stay moist, the slices look picture-perfect, and the flavor pleases both kids and adults. Serve it slightly chilled for clean edges. Then let it rest a few minutes for the ideal texture.

Because the method is reliable, you can bake it for birthdays, showers, or quiet weekends. As you continue exploring celebration-worthy bakes, you may also enjoy this rich, layered showpiece: Double Crust Cheesecake. Finally, share generous slices, add a few bright cherries on top, and enjoy the compliments. This cake truly earns a place in your favorites file.

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