Cherry Garcia Frosted Cake Recipe
This might be the best cake on the blog so far. Don’t let its simplicity trick you into thinking it’s just a colorful loaf of bread. This delicious Cherry Garcia Frosted Cake is a showstopper! It’s perfect for impressing family and friends and a brilliant choice for any celebration or potluck. Trust me, this cake will have everyone asking for seconds—and the recipe!
The mix of maraschino cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips makes this cake a decadent treat for any occasion. And if you’re like me and believe cake and ice cream are soulmates (yum!), add a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream for that extra flavor. Trust me, this pairing is a match made in dessert heaven!
Where Did Cherry Garcia’s Name Come From?
Ben & Jerry’s has always encouraged people to submit flavor suggestions. In the 1980s, a fan contacted the company to see if they’d create a cherry ice cream in honor of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia.
The fan explained that the music-inspired flavor might be hugely popular since so many “dead heads” worldwide follow the iconic group. The rest—as they say—is history.
This most popular fan-suggested flavor started with a vanilla base years ago but is now a cherry ice cream with cherries and chocolate flakes inside. Chocolate Cherry Garcia is also available (chocolate fans rejoice!).
Cherry Garcia Frosted Cake Recipe Ingredients
- All-Purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Whole milk
- Chocolate chips
- Maraschino cherries (diced)
- Powdered sugar
Cake Mix Hack: Cherry Garcia Frosted Cake Made Easy!
This recipe gives you the complete rundown for making the cake from scratch, but let’s be honest – sometimes we need a shortcut. Feel free to use a vanilla, chocolate, or cherry cake mix as your base (double-check the ingredients). Just toss in the maraschino cherries and chocolate chips for that decadent touch. And remember, if you’re going the cake mix route, skip the basic cake ingredients in the recipe – no need to double up! Happy baking!
Instructions For Baking the Perfect Cherry Garcia Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 9×5 loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
- Using your electric mixer, beat butter, vanilla extract, and sugar in a separate medium bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine half the dry mixture with the wet mixture and stir.
- Add half the whole milk and stir until combined.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips and maraschino cherries.
- Pour the batter into a 9×5 loaf pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out almost clean.*
- Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool on a wire cooling rack.
* Follow the baking time listed if you use a boxed cake mix.
How to Whip Up an Irresistible Icing Sugar Glaze
This icing sugar glaze is as simple as it gets with four ingredients. You can even whip it up while baking your cake, making you look like a multitasking pro!
- Start by melting the butter in the microwave for 35 seconds.
- Place 2 cups of powdered sugar in a separate bowl and use a fork to smooth out any lumps.
- Pour the melted butter over the powdered sugar and stir until they’re best friends.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract and two tablespoons of milk or hot water. Mix well. If the mixture is too thick, add more liquid until it’s right.
- You want the consistency to be easy to pour, like a smooth, sugary waterfall. Starting at one end of the cake, slowly pour the glaze over the loaf. Let it dry and work its magic.
- Melt 1/4 to 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and let them cool slightly. Then, drizzle the loaf cake with the melted chocolate in a fancy zig-zag motion,
- Serve on a plate or with a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat. Enjoy!
Whether serving it at a fancy gathering or indulging in a well-deserved treat at home, this cake will surely impress. So, slice yourself a generous piece, add a scoop of ice cream if you’re feeling extra fancy, and savor every bite. After all, life is too short not to enjoy a little (or a lot) of cake. Happy baking, and remember: with this delicious creation, you’re now the Jerry Garcia of the baking world – you’re officially jammin’ in the kitchen!
Cherry Garcia Frosted Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 9×5 Loaf Pan
Ingredients
Cherry Garcia Cake
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp butter, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries
Icing Sugar Glaze
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-4 tbsp milk or hot water
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Drizzle
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Cherry Garcia Frosted Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 9×5 loaf pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl using your electric mixer, beat butter, vanilla extract and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine half the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir.
- Add half the whole milk and stir until combined.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Fold in chocolate chips and maraschino cherries.
- Pour the batter into a 9×5 loaf pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out almost clean.*
- Remove from oven and allow cake to cool on a wire cooling rack.
- * If you opt to use a boxed cake mix, follow baking time listed.
Icing Sugar Glaze
- Start with placing the butter in the microwave for 35 seconds to melt.
- Place 2 cups of powdered sugar in a separate bowl and use a fork to smooth out any lumps.
- Pour melted butter over powdered sugar and stir to combine.
- Add vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk or hot water (your choice).
- Mix well. If the mixture is too thick, the gradually add more liquid and continue to mix.
- Starting at one end of the cake, slowly pour the icing sugar glaze over the loaf. Allow to dry.
Chocolate Drizzle
- Melt 1/4 to 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and allow to cool slightly.
- Drizzle the loaf cake with the slightly cool semi-sweet chocolate chips in a zig-zag motion.
Notes
I would love to hear about your favorite peanut allergy-safe and nut-free recipes. Feel free to comment below or connect with me on my Facebook page.
