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Festive Spiced Cherry Cake Recipe

Festive Spiced Cherry Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 21 reviews

A festive, warmly spiced cherry cake featuring layers of moist cake infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, complemented by a smooth cream cheese frosting. Decorated with fresh cherries, candied nuts, and aromatic cinnamon sticks and star anise, this cake is an elegant centerpiece perfect for holiday celebrations and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp ground allspice
  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

For the Frosting:

  • 2 cups (450 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For Decoration:

  • Fresh cherries with stems
  • Crushed candied pecans or walnuts
  • Cinnamon sticks & star anise (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the ground spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice) until evenly combined. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and sugar together using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3-5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing just until combined after each addition to avoid overmixing. Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before assembling.
  2. Make the Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, blending well after each addition to avoid lumps. Once all sugar is incorporated, add the vanilla extract and beat the frosting at high speed until it is light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Chill slightly if needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.
  3. Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Spread a generous, even layer of the cream cheese frosting over the top using a spatula. Repeat this process with the second and third layers. Once all layers are stacked and frosted between, apply a thin crumb coat layer around the entire cake and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes for stabilization. After chilling, finish frosting the outside of the cake with a smooth, thick layer, using a spatula or cake comb to create subtle ridged textures on the frosting surface. Press crushed candied pecans or walnuts gently around the sides between layers and on the base if desired for added crunch and decoration.
  4. Decorate: Using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip or your preferred design tip, pipe decorative swirls or rosettes of frosting on top of the cake. Arrange fresh cherries with stems on and around the frosting swirls to enhance the visual appeal and add a juicy contrast to the creamy frosting. For a festive touch, garnish with cinnamon sticks and star anise strategically placed around the cake or on top. These aromatic spices will not only look appealing but also add a lovely subtle fragrance to the cake display.

Notes

  • Ensure the cake layers are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • You can substitute buttermilk with 1 cup of milk plus 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, left to sit for 5 minutes.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the candied nuts and substitute decorations with dried fruit or edible flowers.
  • The cake can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator; allow it to come to room temperature before serving.
  • Use unsalted butter for better control of salt content in the cake and frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: spiced cherry cake, festive cake, cream cheese frosting, holiday cake, layered cake, cherry dessert

Find it online: https://maicook.com/festive-spiced-cherry-cake-recipe/