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Cherry Garcia Loaf Cake Recipe

4.8 from 146 reviews

This Cherry Garcia Loaf Cake is a moist and flavorful treat bursting with maraschino cherries and infused with vanilla and almond extracts. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a sweet and tangy cherry glaze, it’s a delightful dessert that perfectly balances fruity sweetness and rich buttery notes, ideal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup oil (vegetable or canola)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 cups maraschino cherries, halved

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp melted unsalted sweet cream butter
  • 1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to reach temperature while you prepare the batter.
  2. Prepare the loaf pan: Spray a loaf pan generously with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside to keep the cake from sticking.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, whole milk, oil, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing.
  5. Add cherries: Carefully fold in the halved maraschino cherries to the batter, ensuring an even distribution without overworking the mixture.
  6. Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place it in the oven and bake for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.
  8. Prepare the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, melted butter, and cherry juice until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
  9. Glaze the loaf: Drizzle the prepared glaze evenly over the cooled loaf cake, allowing it to drip down the sides beautifully. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For best results, use fresh maraschino cherries and reserve their juice for the glaze.
  • Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour to maintain a tender crumb.
  • You can substitute whole milk with buttermilk for a slightly tangier flavor.
  • Ensure the glaze is drizzled only once the cake is fully cooled to prevent melting and sogginess.
  • Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Cherry Garcia, loaf cake, cherry cake, homemade cake, maraschino cherries, vanilla almond cake, glazed loaf