Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe

If you’re hunting for a show-stopping dessert that delivers a big dose of nostalgia and undeniable charm, look no further than Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake. This delightful cake balances buttery richness, plush layers, and a blushing pink hue, thanks to the magical maraschino cherry juice woven throughout. Each bite is filled with pops of sweet-tart chopped cherries, wrapped in the creamiest cherry-kissed frosting you can imagine. Perfect for birthdays, retro-themed gatherings, or whenever you’re in the mood for a treat that both looks and tastes absolutely unforgettable, this recipe is about to become your new favorite centerpiece.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this cake is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet each plays a key part in creating perfect texture, color, and bold cherry flavor. Gather everything before you start, and you’ll be ready to whip up a Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake that dazzles inside and out.

• All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake, it ensures structure and a light crumb.
• Baking powder: Essential for lift, ensuring your cake turns out fluffy and tender.
• Salt: Just a bit sharpens all the sweet flavors and balances the richness.
• Unsalted butter (for cake & frosting): Soft, creamy, and adds unbeatable depth to both the cake and the dreamy frosting.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweet foundation and helps aerate the batter for that plush texture.
• Large eggs: They provide structure and a beautiful golden hue; add them one at a time for perfect mixing.
• Maraschino cherry juice: This is the secret for the iconic pink color and a punch of cherry flavor throughout.
• Milk: Keeps the cake moist and perfectly tender; use whole milk for extra richness.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds a bakery-style warmth.
• Maraschino cherries, chopped: These little gems give pretty pops of color and juicy bites in every forkful.
• Powdered sugar: The base for a smooth, sweet, and fluffy frosting.
• Whole maraschino cherries: The must-have finishing touch for that classic look and a burst of color.

How to Make Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare Pans

Kick things off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). To keep your layers pristine and easy to release, grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper circles. This extra step means your lovely cake layers come out perfect every time.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients before adding them to the wet batter ensures even distribution of the leavening agents, which gives the finished Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake its gorgeous, even rise.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—think pale and cloud-like. This step is key because it aerates the batter and builds the foundation for a cake that’s tender instead of dense.

Step 4: Add Eggs & Flavorings

Beat in the eggs one at a time, taking care to fully incorporate each before adding the next. Mixing in the vanilla extract and maraschino cherry juice at this stage deeply infuses the entire batter with delicate vanilla warmth and that classic cherry pop.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients & Milk

Now, alternate adding your dry mix and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Do this gently and just until combined—over-mixing can toughen your cake. You’ll notice the batter take on that beautiful pink hue at this stage, a signature of any true Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake.

Step 6: Fold in Cherries

With a spatula, gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries. This keeps the cherries whole and beautifully distributed so each slice is dotted with juicy cherry jewels.

Step 7: Bake the Cakes

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma will make it hard to wait! Once done, let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare the Frosting

For that irresistible finishing touch, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and fluffy. Blend in maraschino cherry juice and vanilla, and if you need a looser consistency, add a touch of milk. The frosting should be thick enough to swirl yet easy to spread.

Step 9: Assemble & Decorate

Spread a generous layer of frosting over one cake round, top with the second, and frost the whole cake with swoops of cherry frosting. For that iconic vintage finish, crown the top with whole maraschino cherries. Stand back and admire your masterpiece!

How to Serve Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake

Garnishes

The best way to serve this dreamy cake is adorned with a flourish of whole maraschino cherries right on top. For added elegance, scatter a dusting of powdered sugar or even a handful of pastel sprinkles for a festive touch. The finishing garnishes really heighten that vintage bakery look and invite everyone to dive in.

Side Dishes

Pair each slice with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a billowy cloud of whipped cream for a truly decadent treat. For a lighter accompaniment, fresh fruit like macerated strawberries or a crisp fruit salad works beautifully. If you want to bring out the cake’s retro vibe, serve it alongside fizzy cherry soda or a homemade lemonade.

Creative Ways to Present

While lovely as a layer cake, you can also bake this recipe as cupcakes for easy, party-friendly servings—just adjust the baking time and add a cherry on top of each! For a vintage tea party, serve petite slices on floral china plates. Or, use a fun shaped bundt pan and drizzle with extra cherry frosting so every slice is a celebration of Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake goodness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 4 days, and the flavors only deepen after a night in the fridge.

Freezing

Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake freezes beautifully. Wrap whole unfrosted layers tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. For frosted cake, slice and layer parchment between pieces before wrapping, then thaw slices in the refrigerator for the best texture and taste.

Reheating

While cake is delicious straight from the fridge, if you prefer a little warmth, allow a slice to come to room temperature or pop it in the microwave for just 5-8 seconds. This revives that just-baked tenderness and makes the frosting extra dreamy.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries can be delicious, but they will behave a bit differently in the batter and may not give you the signature pink color. For that true Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake experience, stick with the classic jarred cherries.

What can I substitute for maraschino cherry juice if I run out?

If you’re short on cherry juice, you can use a splash of grenadine or even a little cherry syrup from another preserved cherry product. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious and pink!

Can I make this cake in a 9×13-inch pan?

Absolutely! Just pour the batter into a greased and floured 9×13-inch pan, then bake for about 35-40 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick to ensure you don’t overbake.

How do I get the frosting super pink?

The maraschino cherry juice will naturally tint your frosting, but if you want a more vivid pink, add a drop or two of pink food coloring until your desired shade is reached. It makes for a truly striking Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake!

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

You sure can. Use your favorite plant-based butter and non-dairy milk alternatives; the cake will still be moist, tender, and packed with cherry flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never baked a cake that sparks as much joy as it does compliments, give this Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake a try. It’s got all the flair of old-school desserts with the kind of flavor that stands the test of time. I can’t wait for you to slice in, share it with those you love, and make it a sweet new tradition. Enjoy every cherry-filled crumb!

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