This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. This Cherry Christmas Cake is simple to make, comes together quickly and really tastes like Christmas! Thankfully, frozen cherries are available year round and it’s just such a treat to have a cherry cake in December! I served a slice to my little niece and she found me after she was done to say, “this is the best cake in the whole world!” – in her sweetest 5-year old voice. I about melted. This is why I will continue to make cakes for my family. It’s such an amazing feeling to watch my nieces, nephews and my own kiddos eyes light up. One of my baby girl’s first words were “cake” (true story). The littles have come to expect my Sunday cakes so if I don’t make one, they’re instantly disappointed and I just can’t have that! I’m ridiculous about Christmas and pretty much beside myself when we hit December! I’ll be the old lady who’s house is so decorated, you might have a hard time getting through the door! It’s snowing outside as I type, there’s sweet Christmas music playing in the next room, and the birds are perched in a tree outside my window with snow flurries all over the place. So beautiful! Makes me want a mug of coffee and a slice of cake actually! I hope you love this Cherry Christmas Cake! It’s quite a treat :).
Ingredients for Cherries in Syrup:
1/4 cup water 1 Tbsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp granulated sugar 2 tsp corn starch 1 lb (4 cups) frozen sweet cherries
Ingredients for Sponge Cake:
3 large eggs 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup all-purpose flour *measured correctly 1/4 tsp baking powder
Ingredients for Frosting:
3/4 cup (6 oz) cold heavy whipping cream 6 oz cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Ingredients for Toppings/Decor:
Shaved chocolate Maraschino cherries Green gel food coloring Wilton 67 frosting tip and 10″ Atteco piping bag
Make the Cherries in Sauce First:
- In a medium saucepan, stir together 1/4 cup water, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp sugar and 2 tsp cornstarch and place over medium heat, whisking constantly. As soon as it starts to thicken, add 4 cups frozen cherries and cook until lightly boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
How to Make the Sponge Cake:
Line bottom of 9″ cake pan or springform pan with parchment paper (do not butter the pan). In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat 3 eggs for 1 minute on high speed until foamy. With mixer on, gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and beat together 7 to 8 min on high speed or until a thick ribbon forms when you lift up the batter (if using electric hand mixer, add 2 minutes to mixing time).
Whisk together 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 tsp baking powder then sift them in two increments, folding gently into egg mixture with a spatula. Fold just until flour is incorporated without streaks of flour, scraping from the bottom of the bowl to make sure you don’t miss any pockets of flour.
Transfer batter to pan and bake at 350˚F for 25 min. Cool 5 min then run thin spatula around the edges to loosen from pan, transfer to a wire rack and peel back the parchment paper. Let cake cool completely to room temperature.
How to Make the Frosting:
- Beat cold heavy cream until whipped and spreadable – transfer to medium bowl. In same stand mixer (no need to wash it), beat together 6 oz softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy and whipped (2 minutes on high speed). Use a spatula to fold in whipped cream until well blended. Reserve 1/4 cup cream and tint with green food coloring then transfer it to a small piping bag fitted with Wilton 67 frosting tip to make leaves on top later.
Assembling the Cherry Christmas Cake:
- Place cooled cake on serving platter and poke all over the top with a fork. Top with cooled cherries and let it rest 5 minutes for the cake to absorb some of the syrup. Spread frosting over the top, top with grated chocolate. Pipe holly leaves onto the cake and top with maraschino cherries.
Do you have any special pre-Christmas food traditions? Let me know in a comment below! I’m always looking to try something new 🙂
Do you have any special pre-Christmas food traditions? Let me know in a comment below! I’m always looking to try something new 🙂
