Description
A tender and buttery cake, full of maraschino cherries, finished with smooth cherry-scented buttercream. Perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 4 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
- 3/4 cup full-fat sour cream (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup whole milk (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries (about 1 cup before chopping)
- 1 1/2 cups salted butter (softened) for frosting
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening
- 12 cups powdered sugar
- 6–8 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice for frosting
- Additional maraschino cherries with stems (for decorating)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until glossy.
- Whip egg whites to soft peaks in a separate bowl.
- Mix together flour and baking powder, then gradually mix dry ingredients with the butter mixture, alternating with sour cream and cherry juice.
- Fold in whipped egg whites and chopped maraschino cherries gently.
- Divide batter between pans and bake for 22-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes for 10 minutes before turning out to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat butter and shortening until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and cherry juice until smooth and spreadable.
- Level cake tops, layer with frosting, and stack.
- Apply a thin crumb coat and chill to set.
- Spread the final frosting layer and decorate with cherries.
- Chill briefly before serving.
Notes
Keep the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. For longer storage, wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg