Cherry Icebox Cake

Servings 12-16

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes, lightly crumbled
  • 3/4 cup (6 ounces / 170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained well and chopped (about 20 to 24 cherries)

Instructions

Method

1. Prepare the oven and pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch cake pan.

2. Combine the dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Cream the butter and sugar

In a large bowl, using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Add the extracts and egg whites

Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts. Add the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as needed.

5. Combine the sour cream and cherry juice

In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together the sour cream and cherry juice until smooth.

6. Finish the batter

With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the sour cream mixture in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined after each addition. Fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.

7. Fill the pan

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top.

8. Bake

Bake for 28 to 35 minutes, or until the cake springs back lightly when touched in the center and a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.

9. Cool

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool completely.

10. Frost the cake

Once completely cool, frost with Cherry Buttercream Frosting.

Recipe from Eat Splendid - https://eatsplendid.com/recipe/cherry-icebox-cake/