This Sour Cherry Cake Recipe is crazy good and crazy addictive! The tart cherries paired with the simple cake recipe create the perfect flavorful dessert.

I’m a huge fan of frozen or fresh sour cherries because they’re a great way to take an original recipe and transform it into delicious recipes that you’ll love!

The bright red cherry halves create not only a delicious cake to eat but a perfect one to stare at, too!

The exterior of the cake is similar to a true pound cake, but the top always has room for a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a big helping of whipped topping. If this is your first time making this delicious cherry cake recipe, get ready to fall in love!

Delicious Frozen Sour Cherries

While I love fresh cherries, I also love knowing that I have a freezer full of tart fruit. Finding sour cherries in the center of the cake and the sides of the cake are some of the best flavors ever.

As a professional cake tester (lol), I can promise you that this cake may have tart cherries in it, but they taste perfectly balanced with the rest of the cake batter and ingredients!

Sour Cherry Cake Recipe Ingredients

All you need to make this German sour cherry cake is listed below. It’s so good and such a swift little recipe to make.

Frozen sour cherries halved
Sugar
All-purpose flour (unbleached)
Salt
Unsalted butter, at room temperature
Eggs, at room temperature
Pure vanilla extract
Sour cream, at room temperature
Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting at the very end!)

ingredients needed to make sour cherry cake

How to make Sour Cherry Cake with Warm Cherry Syrup

You’re going to love the ease of this cherry cake recipe. Every step is listed below – and simple to do!

Step 1: Prep the cherries

Slice the frozen cherries in half and place in a small bowl with ½ cup of sugar.

halving the cherries and mixing them with sugar

Step 2: Prep the pan

Prepare your bundt pan by spraying it with Pam Baking Spray.

Step 3: Mix the dry ingredients

Mix the flour and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.

Step 4: Add the sugar and butter

Using a stand mixer, cream butter, then add sugar and beat on high until really fluffy.

making a smooth and fluffy cake batter in a mixing bowl

Step 5: Add the eggs

Gradually mix in eggs one at a time.

Step 6: Add the vanilla

Beat in vanilla.

Step 7: Mix in the flour

Mix in the flour and sour cream – a cup or so at a time until everything is well blended.

Step 8: Drain the cherries

Drain the cherries, reserving the liquid for later

Step 9: Fold the cherries

Fold the cherries into the cake batter gently – two or three stirs should do it.

Step 10: Add the cake batter to the pan

Spoon the cake batter into the pan evenly.

Step 11: Shake the batter

Shake the bundt pan lightly so that the batter and fruit will settle.

Step 12: Bake

Bake at 325 F degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes – baking times can vary.

When the cake is golden brown, remove it carefully from the oven.

Your cake is done if a wooden pick comes out clean!

Step 13: Cool

Cool it on a wire rack. Only invert the cake on your favorite cake plate once it’s completely cool.

Step 14: Make the cherry sauce

In a small saucepan, heat the cherry juice until it bubbles.

Step 15: Add the sauce

Once inverted, brush on the leftover cherry syrup on the top and sides.

Step 16: Add the sugar topping

Dust with confectioner’s sugar!

sour cherry cake topped with sugar and a piece cut and missing

TIPS

If you don’t have tart cherries, dark sweet cherries are good as well. Fresh fruit will work in a pinch, too.
Make sure that you grease the bottom and the sides of the pan so that the cake doesn’t stick!
Save some reserved cherry syrup, just in case you need or want to add more!
If you don’t want to make this in a bundt pan, you can use a 9-inch cake pan as well.
Stock up at the Farmers Market during the sour cherry season and put them in the freezer for later! (or pick some from your cherry tree if you have your own!)

sour cherry cake recipe on a white pie plate

FAQS

Can I use premade cherry glaze?

If you don’t want to make your own syrup, the good thing is that you can add the cherry glaze. It’ll work just fine adding to the surface of the cake.

What do I do if the cake sticks to my bundt pan?

Use a rubber spatula and try and get it loose from the sides of the pan. You can also use a butter knife to try and work it around the edges.

How do I store leftovers to enjoy the next day?

I always cover the cake with plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container. Keeping it stored this way in the fridge is the best way to keep the homemade cake fresh and delicious.

fork slicing into a piece of sour cherry cake

What to serve on the top of the cake

You can add whipped cream, powdered sugar, or even a scoop or two of ice cream.

Where did I get my inspiration for this recipe?

Let’s just say I like bundt cake and fruit. This Best Strawberry Pound Cake With Cream Cheese (Homemade) is proof!

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the Pie Lady Bakes community where you will find vintage recipes like Mom and Grandma used to make, but that are so easy!

If you haven’t already joined, here is the link where you can sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. This way, you won’t miss any of my new recipes and it’s absolutely free!

See you soon!

Judy

★★★★★

If you have made this delicious Sour Cherry Cake, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to give it a 5 star rating!

★★★★★

Want more fruit recipes?

Hey Rockstar Baker! Show your superpowers!

SHOP NOW

pinnable image that says sour cherry cake

Sour Cherry Cake Recipe

This simple cherry cake recipe is the best!

Ingredients

2 cups frozen sour cherries halved
3 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
8 ounces sour cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup Confectioners' sugar (for dusting at the very end!)

Instructions

Slice the frozen cherries in half and place in a small bowl with ½ cup of sugar
Prepare your bundt pan by spraying it with Pam Baking Spray
Mix the flour and salt in a medium bowl and set aside
Using a stand mixer In a large bowl cream butter, then add sugar and beat on high until really fluffy
Gradually mix in eggs one at a time
Beat in vanilla
Mix in the flour and sour cream - a cup or so at a time until everything is well blended.
Drain the cherries, reserving the liquid for later
Fold the cherries into the cake batter gently - two or three stirs should do it.
Spoon the cake batter into the pan evenly.
Shake the bundt pan lightly so that the batter and fruit will settle
Bake at 325 F degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes - baking times can vary.
When the cake is golden brown remove it carefully from the oven
You cake is done if a wooden pick comes out clean
Cool it on a wire rack. Only invert the cake on your favorite cake plate once it’s completely cool.
In a small saucepan heat the cherry juice until it bubbles.
Once inverted, brush on the leftover cherry syrup on the top and sides.
Dust with confectioner’s sugar enjoy