Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking for a showstopping dessert that combines vibrant fruit flavor, tangy creaminess, and jaw-dropping good looks, the Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting will capture your heart (and your sweet tooth) from the very first bite. This cake is all about layers of tender vanilla cake, juicy cherries, and an irresistible frosting with just the right balance of sweet and tart. It’s the kind of recipe friends ask for again and again, and every slice feels like a celebration of summer flavors—no matter what time of year you bake it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this delightful Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting is chosen for a reason. The list is blissfully simple, but each component plays a key role in building flavor, providing structure, and bringing vibrant color to every bite. Gather these essentials and you’re well on your way to cake magic!

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cake, flour gives structure while keeping the crumb light and soft.
• Baking Powder: This leavener ensures your cake layers are fluffy, not dense, for that perfect slice.
• Salt: A little goes a long way, enhancing all the flavors and preventing the cake from tasting overly sweet or bland.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and that signature tender cake texture—make sure it’s at room temp for the best results!
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create that light, melt-in-your-mouth crumb when creamed with butter.
• Eggs: Bind the batter and create rich structure so your layers hold together beautifully.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth—a must for rounding out all the sweet and fruity notes.
• Whole Milk (or Buttermilk): Keeps things moist! Buttermilk gives a subtle tang that pairs perfectly with cherries, if you happen to have it.
• Cherries (Fresh, Frozen, or Canned): The soul of the cake! They bring juiciness, pops of color, and that crave-worthy sweet-tart flavor.
• Cream Cheese: The star of the frosting, offering creamy tang to balance out each bite.
• Powdered Sugar: Blends seamlessly into the frosting for a gloriously smooth, sweet finish.
• Heavy Cream (Optional): If you like a lighter, fluffier frosting, a splash of cream does wonders.

How to Make Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prep Your Cake Tins and Ingredients

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Don’t skip this step—properly prepared pans mean perfect layers that never stick. Bring your butter, eggs, and cream cheese up to room temp. Trust me, your batter and frosting will be so much smoother and easier to work with!

Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

Start by whisking together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bigger bowl, cream the room-temperature butter and sugar for a good 3 to 5 minutes, until it’s pale and fluffy (this is key for a light crumb!). Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then stir in that glorious vanilla extract. Alternately add the dry mixture and milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently—overmixing leads to tough cake!

Step 3: Bake the Cake Layers

Spoon the batter into your prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops. Bake for 22 to 27 minutes; they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the cakes relax in their pans for about 10 minutes, then carefully flip out onto a wire rack to cool completely, so you don’t melt your frosting later.

Step 4: Prepare the Cherry Filling

While your cakes cool, work on the cherry magic! For fresh or frozen cherries, toss them in a saucepan with a little sugar and a lemon juice splash. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes—just until thickened and still a bit juicy. If you’re using canned cherries, drain and reserve a little syrup for later drizzling if you’d like. Allow everything to cool before layering, so the cake stays firm and the filling sets just right.

Step 5: Make the Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat soft cream cheese until creamy and smooth, then gradually mix in powdered sugar until the frosting is fluffy but still spreadable. For extra flair, fold in some finely chopped cherries or a spoonful of your cherry filling to swirl through the frosting. If it feels too soft, just pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes to firm it up before assembling your Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting.

Step 6: Assemble the Cake

Set your first cake layer down on a pretty plate. Spread a thick layer of cherry cream cheese frosting and top with some cherry filling. Repeat with the next two layers (cake, frosting, cherries!). Frost the top and sides, using swirly swoops for a whimsical finish. The contrast of layers, colors, and textures makes each slice dramatic and special.

Step 7: Decorate

This is the part where you have fun! Crown your masterpiece with glossy whole cherries. If you reserved any syrup, drizzle it for extra shine and a burst of flavor. Your Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting is now ready for its close-up—almost too pretty to eat (but just wait until you try it)!

How to Serve Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

Garnish truly makes the Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting pop! Whole cherries (with stems, if you have them) look absolutely stunning. Add a few sprigs of fresh mint or curls of white chocolate for a hint of elegance. A light dusting of powdered sugar is always a magical finishing touch right before serving.

Side Dishes

This showstopper cake pairs wonderfully with something a little lighter on the side. Serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for classic comfort, or try a simple fruit salad of berries and citrus to keep things fresh and colorful. A cup of coffee or black tea helps cut the richness and keeps the balance just right.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, you can slice the Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting into smaller squares for a “petite cake bar” vibe. If you’re feeling playful, serve individual layered “cake cups” using clear glasses—just alternate cubes of cake, cherry filling, and frosting for a fun twist. Mini whole cakes are another adorable option if you have small cake pans on hand!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container to keep everything fresh and prevent the frosting from absorbing fridge odors. The layers stay wonderfully moist and the flavors deepen overnight!

Freezing

This cake freezes surprisingly well. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then stash in a freezer bag for up to two months. For maximum freshness, thaw slices overnight in the fridge. Hold off on adding fresh cherry garnishes until after thawing, so they don’t get mushy.

Reheating

If you prefer your cake at room temperature, remove slices from the fridge about 30–60 minutes before serving. The flavors and texture blossom as it warms a bit, and the cherry filling becomes even more luscious. Avoid microwaving, as cream cheese frosting can melt or separate.

FAQs

Can I use jarred cherries instead of fresh or frozen?

Absolutely! Jarred or canned cherries make this cake incredibly convenient and are especially handy when cherries aren’t in season. Just be sure to drain them well, and you can use some of the syrup for extra flavor in the filling or drizzle.

Can I make the Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting in advance?

Yes! You can bake the cake layers and cook the cherry filling a day or two ahead. Keep them individually wrapped and refrigerate. Assemble and frost your cake the day you want to serve for the freshest flavor and texture.

Why did my cake turn out dense instead of fluffy?

The most common culprits are overmixing the batter or using ingredients that are too cold. Room temperature butter, eggs, and milk make all the difference for a light crumb. Also, be sure your baking powder is fresh for maximum lift!

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. The rest of the ingredients remain the same. Just be careful not to overbake, as gluten-free cakes can dry out more quickly.

Will the Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting hold up for outdoor events?

Cream cheese frosting is best kept cool, so if you’re taking your Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting outside, keep it chilled until serving, and try to serve within an hour. For hot days, you can stabilize the frosting by adding a few tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding powder.

Final Thoughts

Baking this Cherry Layer Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting always brings a little joy and a lot of wow factor—both in the making and the eating! Every vibrant layer tells a story of celebration and comfort, and one bite will have you dreaming up excuses to bake it again. Don’t wait for a special occasion; treat yourself and your people to something truly memorable. Enjoy every cheerful, cherry-studded bite!

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