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Christmas Cherry Blossom Dream Cake

Cherry Blossom Dream Cake

A soft, beautifully pink cake infused with maraschino cherries and almond flavor, topped with a dreamy cherry-kissed buttercream. A perfect celebration cake for spring, birthdays, or anyone who loves cherry desserts.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
  • 1 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
  • Pink/red food coloring (optional)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Pink/red food coloring (optional)
  • Whole maraschino cherries with stems

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  3. Cream butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in almond extract.
  4. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
  5. Stir in maraschino cherry juice and chopped cherries. Add food coloring if desired.
  6. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  8. For frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly.
  9. Add maraschino cherry juice, vanilla, and salt. Add coloring if desired.
  10. Place one cake layer on a serving plate, frost, then add the second layer. Frost top and sides.
  11. Garnish with whole maraschino cherries just before serving.

Notes

For an even stronger cherry flavor, replace 1–2 tablespoons of buttermilk with extra cherry juice.