Maraschino Cherry Cake recipe uses a boxed cake mix, maraschino cherries and the most amazing, creamy frosting to top it all off!
AN EASY AND FLAVORFUL CAKE
This easy Maraschino Cherry Cake recipe is not only easy to make but it is absolutely delicious. I promise that everyone will be so impressed and will fall in love with this cake!
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS CHERRY CAKE:
- I think the almond extract is necessary in this recipe. It really turns this from a good cake to an amazing cake. If you absolutely won't use almond extract or can't find it, then just leave it out.
- This is a homemade frosting that is incredibly easy. Just make sure your cream cheese is completely softened to room temperature or it won't mix up nice and smooth.
- You can also purchase a store-bought cream cheese frosting and stir in a little maraschino juice and almond extract.
- This cake needs to be stored, covered in the refrigerator and will keep for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen. Just store in an airtight container and it will keep for up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- eggs
- oil
- water
- maraschino cherry juice
- almond extract
- vanilla cake mix
- maraschino cherries
- cream cheese
- butter
- powdered sugar
HOW TO MAKE MARASCHINO CHERRY CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Spray a 9"x 13" baking dish with no-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, using a stand mixer or an electric mixer, start mixing all the 'wet' ingredients together: eggs, oil, water, maraschino cherry juice and almond extract
Then add in cake mix. Stir well to combine. If using a stand mixer, you will need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure it mixes completely. Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries.
Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for about 30 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely before making the frosting.
When ready to make the frosting, mix together the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl, using an electric mixer.
Then add in powdered sugar (start the mixer on slow so powdered sugar doesn't fly everywhere).
Then add in almond extract and maraschino cherry juice. Mix until smooth.
Then spread that yummy and pretty frosting on the cooled cake.
Top slices with maraschino cherries.
And dig in! Because of the cream cheese frosting, this does need to stay refrigerated if not all eaten immediately.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
Maraschino Cherry Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup oil
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup maraschino cherry juice
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 15.25 ounce box vanilla cake mix
- 16 maraschino cherries, cut into quarters
For the frosting:
- ½ block cream cheese (4 oz), softened to room temperature
- ⅓ cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 Tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, using a stand mixer or an electric mixer, start mixing all the 'wet' ingredients together (eggs, oil, water, maraschino cherry juice and almond extract.)
- Then add in cake mix. Stir well to combine. If using a stand mixer, you will need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure it mixes completely.
- Gently stir in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely before making the frosting.
- When ready to make the frosting, mix together the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl, using an electric mixer.
- Then add in powdered sugar (start the mixer on slow so powdered sugar doesn't fly everywhere.) Finally, add in almond extract and maraschino cherry juice.
- Mix until smooth then spread onto cooled cake.
- Top slices with maraschino cherries.
Video
Notes
- I think the almond extract is necessary in this recipe. It really turns this from a good cake to an amazing cake. If you absolutely won't use almond extract or can't find it, then just leave it out.
- This is a homemade frosting that is incredibly easy. Just make sure your cream cheese is completely softened to room temperature or it won't mix up nice and smooth.
- You can also purchase a store-bought cream cheese frosting and stir in a little maraschino juice and almond extract.
- This cake needs to be stored, covered in the refrigerator and will keep for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen. Just store in an airtight container and it will keep for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Originally published: July 2016
Updated and republished: January 2021
patricia
I made this recently, it was so moist and flavors great but remember at a pot luck someone had a cherry cake ehich had mini chocolate chips and used a homemade chocolate frosting. Do you think I could add chocolate chips to this recipe.
Kat T.
I made this cake for my mom's 75 th birthday. It was "so good", I'm making it for Mother's Day too . Thank You for such a wonderful recipe that I can share with my family.
Kerry Hylkema
This looks amazing!! I'm going to make it for Valentine's Day and I think I will make it into cupcakes. I can't wait. I'll keep you posted!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hope you love it! This is one of my most favorite recipes on my site!
Loohoo
Im allergic to almonds, can i use vanilla extract?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yes, absolutely! Or you don't even need to add any extract 🙂
Lynn
Excellent The only thing i did different is use more cherries in the batter. A definite keeper!
Lindsay
This recipe is ahhhh-mazing! I didn’t expect my family of 6 to like it (there’s usually someone nay-saying) but it got rave reviews all around. Thank you!
Could I make these into cupcakes? I’m sure I could but I’m wondering if anyone’s ever tried and if there’s any tips out there.
WILLIAM GNOSS
Can I use more cherry juice in place of all that water & can I double the amount of chopped cherries I put in it?
Lori
This cake is easy and tastes amazing. I made it for Easter and everyone loved it so much that now I make it for Christmas too.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks so much for coming back to leave a review Lori!! So happy you love this one!
Carlee
That looks so good! I love maraschino cherries (and cake!) so this is on my must make list!
Brandie (The Country Cook)
You will love this cake!
Diane
Can I use an angel food cake mix?
Betty
I have made it with angel food cake mix and a conf sugar glaze. It is scrumptious
labbie1
Wow! This was so good!!
Coco
WHOA!! Outstanding recipe and it is so pretty!
Lisa Elliott
Made it exactly to the recipe. We all loved it!
Chris
This is a very good cake recipe. It is easy to make. I like that it starts with a cake mix but the added ingredients make it special. It is moist and really good. I served it to company and it everyone liked it.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hey Chris! I am so happy you loved this one! Sure do appreciate you coming back to comment on it!
Ms. Catherine Melba Alston Hardy
Thank you for this recipe. Very good and very easy.
Marsha Baker
Oh WOW! That cake is gorgeous. I can hear it calling...even screaming...my name. =) Do you deliver? YUM.
Brandie (The Country Cook)
For you, yes! This is my new favorite.