There’s something magical about the aroma of a Simple Cherry Cake wafting through your home. Imagine plump cherries nestled in a soft, fluffy cake, creating a delightful symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. The sweet-tart cherries blend perfectly with the buttery goodness of the cake, making every bite an experience you won’t soon forget.
This delightful dessert reminds me of summer afternoons at my grandmother’s house, where she would whip up this cake for family gatherings. The laughter and chatter harmonized with the sweet scent from the oven, setting the stage for unforgettable moments. There’s no better way to celebrate life’s little occasions than with a slice of Simple Cherry Cake fresh out of the oven. For more inspiration, check out this more dessert ideas recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This Simple Cherry Cake is incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for bakers of all levels
- Its flavor profile combines sweetness and tartness beautifully, ensuring every bite is delicious
- The vibrant color of cherries makes this cake visually stunning and appealing
- Enjoy it as a dessert or snack, perfect for any occasion you’ll be celebrating!
I remember baking this cherry cake for my friends one weekend; their faces lit up brighter than the oven light when they tasted it!

Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish: For more inspiration, check out this delicious dinner recipes recipe.
- Fresh Cherries: Use ripe, juicy cherries for the best flavor; pitting them can be messy but worth it!
- All-Purpose Flour: A staple in baking; ensure it’s fresh and properly measured to avoid dense cake.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps create that lovely golden crust.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter gives richness; be sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Baking Powder: This little magic powder helps your cake rise; check its freshness for best results.
- Eggs: Large eggs provide moisture and help bind everything together; use at room temperature for better incorporation.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances flavor; skip imitation varieties if possible for a more authentic taste.
- Salt: Just a pinch balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor; don’t omit it!
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan so your cherry cake doesn’t stick later.
Pit Those Cherries!: Wash and pit about two cups of fresh cherries while dreaming about how delicious they’ll taste in your cake. Set aside.
Create Your Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step usually takes about 3-5 minutes—be patient!
Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time followed by vanilla extract until well combined. You should see a smooth mixture that smells heavenly.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix into your wet ingredients while stirring gently to combine without overmixing.
Add Cherries & Pour Batter**: Fold in the pitted cherries carefully so as not to crush them too much. Pour batter into your prepared pan evenly—try not to eat too much batter off your spatula!
Bake & Cool**: Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean—allow it to cool before serving.
This Simple Cherry Cake will bring joy with every moist bite filled with sweet cherries!
Now grab some forks because you’re ready to dig into this delightful treat!
You Must Know
- This Simple Cherry Cake recipe is a delightful treat that balances sweetness and tartness
- It’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family gathering or a sophisticated tea party
- The vibrant cherry color and aroma will have your guests swooning before they take a bite
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) while mixing your wet ingredients. This ensures everything bakes evenly and saves time.

Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap cherries for blueberries or raspberries if you want a different flavor twist. Adding almond extract can also elevate the taste.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For reheating, pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To enhance this Simple Cherry Cake, always use fresh cherries for best results; frozen ones may change the texture
- Ensure your butter is softened for easy mixing, preventing lumps in the batter
- Lastly, avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy!
Baking this cake brings back memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, where the scent of cherries filled the air as we waited impatiently for it to cool.

FAQ
Can I use frozen cherries in this Simple Cherry Cake?
Yes, but fresh cherries yield better texture and flavor.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a delicious alternative.
What frosting pairs well with Simple Cherry Cake?
A light cream cheese frosting complements the cherry flavor perfectly!
Simple Cherry Cake
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8 slices 1x
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Simple Cherry Cake, where tart cherries meet a soft, buttery cake. Perfect for any occasion, this easy-to-make dessert brings nostalgia and warmth to your home, reminiscent of summer afternoons spent baking with loved ones. With its vibrant color and irresistible aroma, each slice promises a moist and flavorful experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh pitted cherries
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Wash and pit the cherries; set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients while stirring gently.
- Fold in the cherries carefully and pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cooling before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (100g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg