admin1 This beautiful Christmas Cherry Cake is a festive holiday favourite packed with sweet glace cherries, buttery cake, and a hint of vanilla. With its soft, moist texture and colourful cherries scattered throughout, this cake makes a wonderful addition to any Christmas dessert table.
Unlike traditional heavy fruitcake, this cherry cake is light, tender, and easy to prepare. It is perfect for Christmas gatherings, afternoon tea, homemade gifts, or simply enjoying a slice with a warm cup of coffee.
The best part? You don’t need complicated ingredients or special equipment to create this delicious festive treat!
Recipe Details
Prep time
20 minutes
Cook time
60–75 minutes
Total time
1 hour 35 minutes
Servings
10–12 slices
Oven temperature
325°F (160°C)
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 tablespoon milk, if needed
- 1½ cups (225 g) red and green glace cherries
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped almonds or mixed nuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon flour, for coating the cherries
For the festive topping
- ¼ cup whole glace cherries
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven and cake tin
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf tin or an 8-inch round cake tin with butter.
Line the tin with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang to make removing the cake easier.
Step 2: Prepare the cherries
Drain the glace cherries thoroughly and rinse lightly if they are especially sticky.
Pat them dry with paper towels.
Cut most of the cherries into halves or quarters, reserving a few whole cherries for decoration.
Toss the chopped cherries with 1 tablespoon of flour. This helps distribute them throughout the cake and reduces the chance of them sinking.
Step 3: Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together for approximately 3–4 minutes.
The mixture should become pale, fluffy, and creamy.
This step helps incorporate air into the batter, creating a lighter cake texture.
Step 4: Add the eggs and flavourings
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
If the mixture begins to look slightly curdled, add a tablespoon of flour and continue mixing.
Stir in the vanilla extract and optional almond extract.
Step 5: Combine the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture using a spatula.
Mix gently until just combined.
If the batter seems unusually thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk.
Step 6: Fold in the cherries
Gently fold the flour-coated cherries and optional chopped almonds into the cake batter.
Make sure the cherries are evenly distributed without overmixing the batter.
Step 7: Fill the cake tin
Spoon the batter into the prepared cake tin.
Smooth the surface with a spatula.
Arrange the reserved whole cherries and sliced almonds on top for a festive appearance.
Step 8: Bake the Christmas cherry cake
Place the cake in the preheated oven.
Bake for 60–75 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminium foil during the final 15–20 minutes.
Step 9: Cool and decorate
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the tin for 15 minutes.
Carefully transfer it to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely.
Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for a beautiful snowy Christmas finish.
Tips for the Best Christmas Cherry Cake
- Dry the cherries thoroughly: Excess moisture can affect the texture of the cake.
- Coat cherries in flour: This helps prevent them from sinking.
- Use room-temperature ingredients: Butter, eggs, and milk combine more evenly.
- Don’t overmix: Gentle folding keeps the cake tender.
- Bake at a moderate temperature: A lower oven temperature helps the cake cook evenly without drying out.
- Allow the cake to cool: Cooling helps the cake firm up and makes slicing easier.
Delicious Christmas Cherry Cake Variations
1. Cherry and Almond Cake
Add ½ teaspoon almond extract and ½ cup ground almonds to the batter for a rich, nutty flavour.
2. Cherry Chocolate Cake
Fold ½ cup chocolate chips into the batter for a delicious combination of sweet cherries and chocolate.
3. Cherry and Orange Cake
Add the finely grated zest of one orange for a bright citrus flavour that complements the cherries.
4. Christmas Fruit and Cherry Cake
Add ½ cup mixed dried fruit, such as raisins, currants, or chopped dates, for a more traditional festive fruitcake flavour.
5. Gluten-Free Christmas Cherry Cake
Replace the all-purpose flour with a good-quality gluten-free baking flour blend designed for cakes. Check that the baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free.
What to Serve with Christmas Cherry Cake
This festive cake is delicious served with:
- Freshly brewed tea or coffee
- Hot chocolate
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Warm custard
- A little homemade cherry sauce
For a Christmas dessert platter, serve small slices alongside mince pies, shortbread, and other festive treats.
Storage Instructions
Room temperature: Store the cooled cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days in a cool, dry place.
Refrigerator: Store for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
To serve frozen cake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Estimated nutrition per slice, based on 12 servings.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 360 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 46 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Saturated fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 29 g |
| Sodium | 160 mg |
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the cherries, ingredients, and serving size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Christmas cherry cake ahead of time?
Yes! This cake can be baked 1–2 days before serving. Store it in an airtight container to help maintain its moisture and flavour.
Why do my cherries sink to the bottom?
Cherries may sink if they are too wet or heavy. Dry them thoroughly, cut them into smaller pieces, and coat them lightly in flour before folding them into the batter.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of glace cherries?
Yes, but fresh cherries contain more moisture and may change the cake’s texture. Remove the pits, chop them, and dry them thoroughly before adding them.
Can I make this cake without nuts?
Absolutely. Simply leave out the almonds or mixed nuts. The cake will still be delicious and suitable for those who prefer a nut-free version, provided the other ingredients are free from nut contamination.
Can I decorate the cake with royal icing?
Yes! Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle or spread royal icing over the top and decorate with extra glace cherries, festive sprinkles, or edible Christmas decorations.
