Cherry Blossom Dream Cake
This soft and fluffy pink cake is infused with maraschino cherries and almond flavor, then frosted with cherry-kissed buttercream—perfect for spring, birthdays, or cherry lovers!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Cake, Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp almond extract
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup maraschino cherry juice
1 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
Pink or red food coloring (optional)
For the Cherry Buttercream:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Pink or red food coloring (optional)
Whole maraschino cherries with stems (for garnish)
Instructions
Prep the Oven & Pans:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter & Sugar:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs & Extract:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the almond extract.
Combine Wet & Dry:
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, starting and ending with the dry mix.
Add Cherries:
Stir in the maraschino cherry juice and chopped cherries. Add food coloring if desired for a pink hue.
Bake the Cakes:
Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool Completely:
Cool cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool fully.
Make Frosting:
Beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in cherry juice, vanilla, salt, and food coloring if using.
Assemble:
Place one cake layer on a serving plate, frost the top, add the second layer, and frost the entire cake. Garnish with whole maraschino cherries just before serving.
Notes
For a stronger cherry flavor, substitute 1–2 tablespoons of buttermilk with extra cherry juice.
Use high-quality almond extract for the best flavor.
Chilling the cake slightly before slicing helps clean up frosting edges.
Find it online: http://elladishes.com/cherry-blossom-dream-cake/
