Description
Cherry Swirl Cake is a soft, buttery vanilla cake marbled with sweet cherry filling and finished with a beautiful pink-red swirl. Moist, tender, and eye-catching, this cake is perfect for holidays, Valentine’s Day, potlucks, or anytime you want a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients
Cake Batter
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
Cherry Swirl
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thicker swirl)
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or Bundt pan to prevent sticking and ensure an even bake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which adds air to the batter for a tender cake.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them into the buttery mixture, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter which can toughen the cake.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Add Cherry Filling: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
- Swirl the Cherry Filling: Use a knife to gently swirl the cherries through the batter to create an attractive marble effect without blending the colors completely.
- Bake the Cake: Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Cool the Cake: Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan to set before glazing.
- Glaze (Optional): Mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla or almond extract. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake for added sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Do not over-swirl the cherry filling or the color will blend completely and lose the marble effect.
- Almond extract pairs beautifully with cherry flavor and can be used in the glaze for enhanced taste.
- Serve the cake with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra special touch.
- Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
