Description
This delicious Layered Cherry Coke Cake is a moist, rich chocolate dessert infused with the unique flavor of Cherry Coke soda and maraschino cherries. The cake layers are tender and infused with cherry juice and soda, while the decadent cherry buttercream frosting ties all the flavors together with a hint of cherry extract and pink coloring. Topped with stemmed maraschino cherries and semi-sweet chocolate ganache, this cake is a showstopper for celebrations or anytime you crave a nostalgic cherry cola treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake:
- 2 cups Flour
- 2 cups Sugar
- 3/4 cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 cup + 3 tablespoons Cherry Coke soda
- ½ cup Canola Oil
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
- ¼ cup Maraschino Cherry Juice
Cherry Buttercream Frosting:
- 3 cups Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 6 cups Powdered Sugar
- 5 tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 teaspoon Cherry Extract
- ¼ cup Maraschino Cherry Juice
- 2 drops Pink Gel Food Coloring
Toppings and Garnishes:
- 1 cup Stemless Maraschino Cherries (dried and halved)
- 1 small jar Maraschino Cherries with stems (for topping)
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream (for chocolate ganache)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray three 9-inch cake pans with baking spray to prepare for the batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt until fully combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk the Cherry Coke soda, canola oil, and sour cream until smooth and fully blended.
- Add Eggs and Flavors: Whisk in the eggs, vanilla extract, and maraschino cherry juice into the wet mixture until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl and whisk everything together until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Divide Batter: Evenly distribute the batter among the three prepared cake pans.
- Bake: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pans before removing.
- Remove and Level Cakes: Once cooled, carefully remove each cake layer from the pans and place them on cake boards. Use a cake leveler to trim the domed tops and create even, flat layers.
- Prepare Cherry Buttercream: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, cherry extract, maraschino cherry juice, and pink gel food coloring. Beat until the frosting is smooth, fluffy, and evenly colored.
- Assemble Cake Layers: Spread a generous layer of cherry buttercream on the first cake layer. Sprinkle some dried and halved maraschino cherries over the frosting layer. Repeat with the second layer and add the third cake layer on top.
- Frost Cake: Use the remaining cherry buttercream to frost the entire outside of the cake smoothly, covering the sides and top evenly.
- Make Chocolate Ganache: Heat ½ cup heavy whipping cream until just simmering and pour over 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy. Drizzle ganache over the top edges of the cake, allowing it to slightly drip down the sides.
- Final Decoration: Top the cake with maraschino cherries with stems as a beautiful finishing touch. Chill the cake briefly to set the frosting and ganache before serving.
Notes
- Ensure cakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- Drying and halving the maraschino cherries before layering enhances texture and prevents sogginess.
- Use a serrated cake leveler for best results in creating flat cake layers.
- The cherry extract intensifies the cherry flavor but can be adjusted or omitted to taste.
- This cake keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days, but bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- Ganache drizzle can be skipped for a purely cherry buttercream finish if preferred.
