Print

Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake Recipe

Close-up of a moist slice of vintage cherry cake showing yellow crumb marbled with bright pink and studded with glossy red cherries.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this moist, nostalgic Vintage Maraschino Cherry Cake from scratch. This easy dessert features bright cherry flavor and a beautiful pink hue, perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice (from the jar)
  • 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
  • 1/4 cup maraschino cherries, whole, for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour one 9-inch round cake pan or a standard loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps create a moist cake.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate small bowl, mix the milk and the maraschino cherry juice together.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the cherry juice mixture. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing only until just combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Gently fold in the chopped, drained maraschino cherries.
  8. Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Place a few whole maraschino cherries on top of the batter for decoration, if desired.
  9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. For a loaf cake, baking time may be closer to 45-55 minutes.
  10. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze once fully cooled.

Notes

  • For the best color and flavor, use the juice reserved from a good quality jar of maraschino cherries.
  • If you want a richer color, add 1-2 drops of red food coloring to the batter.
  • This cake pairs well with a simple vanilla buttercream or a light cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/vintage-maraschino-cherry-cake-recipe/