If you love cherry flavored everything, this cherry cake is definitely a must try. It’s one of my favorite doctored cake mix recipes and a great way to use your homemade cherry pie filling.
Why this recipe works
While I truly do love to bake from scratch, some occasions call for shortcuts. Holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are great examples. There’s lots to do on those days, so don’t spend all of your time in the kitchen.
I love cherries. Whether it’s eating them from the produce bag or baking up cherry hand pies that remind me of Hostess, I’m all over it.
RELATED: you might also like these recipes – Strawberry Cake and Pistachio Cake
And of course, there are only 6 ingredients, making this recipe easy to make because you likely have most items in your pantry already.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- You do not need the ingredients listed on the back of the cake mix box. Use the ingredients listed in this recipe.
- Soften the cream cheese and butter, but don’t let it get warm, just take the chill off. This takes about 20-30 minutes on the counter. It helps to cut the cream cheese and butter into smaller sections first.
- When adding the powdered sugar, if you are using a stand mixer, you can cover the top with a kitchen towel to help keep the powdered sugar from flying out of the bowl. If you are using a hand mixer, add the powdered sugar very slowly, or you can even stir it in with a wooden spoon and then beat it with the mixer until creamy.
Ingredients you will need for the cake
As I mentioned above, you’ll need a box of white cake mix, but please do not refer to the back of the box for the ingredients. Only use the ingredients listed in the printable version down below.
Ingredients you will need for the frosting
If you prefer, you can just use a canned white frosting or whatever your favorite is, but I love this cake with my cherry cream cheese frosting!
How to Make Cherry Cake with Cherry Frosting
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray or lightly grease 13×9 baking pan.
- Measure 1/3 cup of cherry pie filling and set aside to use in frosting. (see below)
- With a mixer on low speed, combine dry cake mix, eggs, baking powder, both extracts, and remaining cherry pie filling until combined.
- Increase speed to medium and beat until creamy, a minute or so.
- Pour batter into prepared pan, and level with a spatula.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
Making the Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting
- With a mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy.
- Turn mixer to low and add in the cherry pie filling and both extracts.
- Once combined, beat on medium for a minute or two until cherries are broken into small pieces.
- Turn mixer down to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until completely combined and of spreading consistency. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
- Frost the cake. If the calorie count listed below is important to you, cut into 24 pieces. Otherwise cut however you like!
This cherry cake has a marvelous cherry and almond flavor that everyone will love! I think it would be equally delicious if you added chocolate chips, or better yet, bittersweet chocolate chunks to the cake and topped it with a chocolate ganache.
More Cherry Recipes
- Cherry Cheesecake
- Crockpot Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
- Maraschino Cherry Bundt Cake
- 3-Ingredient Cherry Cupcakes
- Cherry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cherry Pie Bars
- Cherry Pie
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6-Ingredient Cherry Cake
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 15 ounce white cake mix you do not need the ingredients listed on the box
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 21 ounce cherry pie filling
Frosting
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- â…“ cup cherry pie filling from the can listed above
- 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnish
- Maraschino cherries with stems
Before You Begin
- You do not need the ingredients listed on the back of the cake mix box. Use the ingredients listed in this recipe.
- Soften the cream cheese and butter, but don’t let it get warm, just take the chill off. This takes about 20-30 minutes on the counter. It helps to cut the cream cheese and butter into smaller sections first.
- When adding the powdered sugar, if you are using a stand mixer, you can cover the top with a kitchen towel to help keep the powdered sugar from flying out of the bowl. If you are using a hand mixer, add the powdered sugar very slowly, or you can even stir it in with a wooden spoon and then beat it with the mixer until creamy.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray or lightly grease 13 x 9 baking pan.
- Measure 1/3 cup of cherry pie filling and set aside to use in frosting. (see below)
- With a mixer on low speed, combine dry cake mix, eggs, baking powder, both extracts, and remaining cherry pie filling until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until creamy, a minute or so.
- Pour batter into prepared pan, and level with a spatula.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting
- With a mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy.Â
- Turn mixer to low and add in the cherry pie filling and extracts. Once combined, beat on medium for a minute or two until cherries are broken into small pieces.
- Turn mixer down to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until completely combined and of spreading consistency. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
Garnish
- It's optional but pretty! Add a stemmed maraschino cherry to the top of each slice when you serve.
Nutrition
This recipe was adapted from Sweetheart Cherry Cake and was originally posted here February 15, 2011 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
Amanda Davis
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Mindy says
Question? Why did you chose to leave out any form of fat in this recipe? Just curious.
Thank you:)
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Mindy. Oil or butter are not needed in this recipe because of the cherry pie filling that is mixed in.
CakeGirl819 says
OMFG! YOU HAVE TO BE MY SISTER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER! I cannot wait to make this, this is destine to be my “signiture” cake (not stealing it just will be making one monthly). These are my absolute fav flavors and is just what I was looking for as a cheesecake alternative. I get real “cakey” in the fall/winter months, it looks pretty easy to prepare.
Thanks again, I’m sure it’s awesome!
Amanda says
Haha you are so funny! I hope you like it, I am a cherry lover for sure and LOVE this cake :)
Lisa says
At my four year old daughters request for a cherry cake, I stumbled upon your blog. Thank You for sharing this recipe, and in such a tasteful way. Just looking at your design and then the cake pics inspired me to go ahead and buy the ingredients right there in the store. By the way, the cake is covered with marshmallow fondant right this minute and is ready for Andi’s 5th Birthday party tomorrow! (Too bad the marsh fondant is too thin) but as long as my girl is happy, Mama’s happy! My family is in for a treat tomorrow!
Amanda says
Oh how fun!Happy birthday to Andi!
Dawn Fannin says
How much powdered sugar do you use in the frosting. I can’t find where it’s mentioned in the recipe.
Amanda Formaro says
Oh my gosh Dawn, thank you so much for pointing that out! I somehow left that out when I rewrote the post. I have corrected the printable version now, but it’s 2 1/4 cups. :)
Rebekah says
In May I made just the frosting for this cake but instead of cherries I used blueberries, it was the best! Everyone kept telling me how great it was! In June I made the cherry cake and frosting, I’m not a fan on cherry but I loved it! Today I’m making my mom’s birthday cake, but I’m using blueberry! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the recipe :)
Bekah
Amanda says
Oh yum LOVE the idea of the blueberries, must try it!!
Rose says
I made this as cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday today. Everybody loved them. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Amanda Formaro says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Rose says
I used this recipe, once again, to make a Valentine’s Day/birthday cake for my sister-in-law. Only I baked it in heart-shaped pans, and added chocolate-cherry ganache, and chocolate dipped maraschino cherries. Is there any way to send you a photo of the cake? It is kind of messy, but it was really yummy. Thanks again for the recipe.
Nancy says
My hubby wanted a cherry cake for his birthday tomorrow. I made this cake tonight and it smells awesome. The frosting tastes sooooo yummy. I can’t wait to dig in tomorrow.
Rachel says
I made this cake today. I added 1 cup chocolate chips. It turned out so differently from your pictures. Mine is heavy, overly moist, and overly sugary. It hurts my teeth to eat it and I’m trying to think who I can pawn it off on. The frosting is it’s saving grace. The frosting is DELICIOUS.
Amanda Formaro says
aww I’m sorry Rachel! I know other people who have made it without problems, I’m sorry it didn’t work for you!
Bonnie Banters says
What a sweet cake! Would be great for Valentine’s or a sweet 16 or a shower! I agree it would be fantastic also with chocolate chunks and/or chocolate ganache! Thanks…bookmarked!
Pattypro says
I make a chocolate covered cherry cake…chocolate cake mix, 3 eggs, cherry pie filling, almond extract, topped with a fudgy frosting. I think your cream cheese frosting would be a delicious contrast.
Amanda Formaro says
Sounds awesome!
Sweet as Coco says
YUM YUM YUM!! Just what I was looking for!!!
Amanda says
SnoWhite – Sorry your icing was thin. Next time, simply add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency :) Glad you enjoyed it!
SnoWhite says
We tried this out tonight — it's excellent; although the frosting was more the consistency of yogurt…!
LizRoo says
I had the same problem! I’m adding and adding powdered sugar and it just looks like cake batter :( now I don’t know what to do. The icing is super sweet and not the pretty pink shown. I don’t know how I screwed it up, but now I have to run to the store and find a different icing recipe. I hope the cake is okay :(
Amanda Formaro says
Without knowing exactly what happened or being there with you, my guess would be that the cream cheese and/or the butter were too soft. Using the microwave to soften it is not a good idea. Best thing to do with the butter is slice it into slivers right from the fridge and drop them into the mixer. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and drop it in and then continue with the frosting recipe. Also, the recipe calls for two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, just clarifying just in case :)
Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING says
We are having a "CHERRY" theme this week on THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS! We'd love for you to come on over and link up this fabulous "cherry" recipe!
http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/02/this-weeks-cravings-linky-party-17.html
And next week is "kid-friendly recipes"
Prairie Patch says
I'm totally drooling now! I even have all the ingredients. Looks like I'll be making it this week. :)
Cheers,
Tracy http://allthumbscrafts.blogspot.com
Tessa says
I wish I had the homemade canned cherries that you do! This looks great!
SnoWhite says
Wow — what a great dessert — my husband and I will love it.
Amanda says
@Ani – Oh absolutely! just adjust the baking time. I would start checking at 20-25 minutes but it may take 30-35.
Ani says
Ooh, this looks great! I wonder if I could make cupcakes ??? That sounds great! Thanks for a great idea.
The Lucky Wife says
This sounds SO scrumptious! I love cherries and definitely want to try this one. I'd like to invite you to share it at Foodie Friday also. If you don't get to it before it closes, the event is moving to Mondays starting with this Monday (Meet a Food-"e"-Friend Monday). I found this at the Show and Tell Party. These parties are so much fun.
Leslie says
This cake has the most amazing color!!!!! Sounds divine with the cherry and almond flavors