Welcome to our kitchen, where we’re celebrating all things sweet and delightful! Following our popular Cupcake Saturdays, we’re thrilled to share an incredibly simple yet utterly delicious recipe that will elevate your baking to new heights: a vibrant and smooth homemade cherry frosting. This isn’t just any frosting; it’s a delightful burst of cherry flavor, perfectly balanced and wonderfully easy to whip up. Get ready to transform your ordinary desserts into extraordinary indulgences!

Homemade Cherry Frosting: The Ultimate Sweet Topping

If you’re looking for the perfect way to add a touch of fruity elegance and a pop of beautiful color to your cupcakes, cakes, or any sweet treat, look no further! This cherry frosting recipe is designed for both novice and experienced bakers alike. It’s incredibly easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and delivers an irresistible flavor that will have everyone asking for more. Forget about store-bought tubs – once you try this homemade version, you’ll never go back.

Imagine this: moist, rich chocolate cupcakes crowned with a generous swirl of this luscious cherry buttercream, topped with a glistening maraschino cherry. It’s a classic combination that never fails to impress and delight. But don’t limit yourself! This versatile frosting pairs beautifully with vanilla, almond, or even lemon-flavored treats, offering a sweet and tangy counterpoint to almost any dessert base.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Cherry Frosting

Crafting this epic cherry frosting requires just a handful of straightforward ingredients, proving that sometimes, simplicity truly is key to extraordinary flavor. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that creamy texture and vibrant taste. Below is a quick overview; you’ll find specific measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe card towards the bottom of this post.

• Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature): The foundation of any great buttercream. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content, ensuring your frosting is perfectly balanced. Crucially, ensure your butter is at true room temperature – neither too cold (which will lead to lumps) nor too melted (which will result in a greasy, runny frosting) – for a smooth, lump-free consistency. This helps it cream beautifully and incorporate air, giving the frosting its desired lightness.
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): This very fine sugar dissolves easily into the butter, creating a silky-smooth texture without any grittiness. It’s essential for both the sweetness and the structural integrity of your frosting, allowing it to hold its shape for piping and spreading. For the smoothest result, we highly recommend sifting your powdered sugar before adding it to prevent any lingering lumps.
• Maraschino Cherry Juice: This is the star ingredient that infuses our frosting with its signature, sweet cherry flavor and a delightful, natural pink hue. The juice from a standard jar of maraschino cherries works perfectly. For a richer, more authentic cherry essence and a deeper color, consider using the juice from quality brands like Luxardo. Luxardo cherries are renowned for their superior taste and are often preferred in professional settings for their intense flavor, which translates beautifully into this frosting. This juice not only flavors but also helps achieve the ideal spreadable consistency.

Recommended Equipment for Frosting Success

Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking endeavors, especially when it comes to whipping up a perfect buttercream. While not all strictly essential, these items will significantly ease the process and help you achieve the best possible results for your homemade cherry frosting.

• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Precision is paramount in baking, particularly with frosting, where consistency is key. Accurate measurements ensure the correct balance of sweetness, fat, and liquid, guaranteeing your frosting turns out perfectly every time.
• Large Mixing Bowl: You’ll need ample space to beat the butter and gradually incorporate the powdered sugar without making a mess or overflowing. A large bowl also allows for better aeration, contributing to a lighter, fluffier frosting.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Electric Mixer: A powerful mixer is indispensable for creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer offers hands-free convenience, allowing you to gradually add ingredients while it mixes. A hand mixer provides flexibility and is often more accessible. Both will work wonderfully to achieve that airy, creamy buttercream texture.
• Spatula: An essential tool for scraping down the sides of your mixing bowl repeatedly. This ensures that all ingredients, especially the powdered sugar, are thoroughly combined and no pockets of unmixed butter or sugar remain, leading to a uniform, smooth frosting.
• Piping Bag (Optional, but recommended for decorating): If you plan to decorate cupcakes or cakes with intricate swirls, rosettes, or other designs, a piping bag fitted with your favorite nozzle will provide professional-looking results. For simpler applications, like spreading the frosting smoothly, an offset spatula is a great alternative.

Preparation and Storage Tips for Cherry Frosting

Making delicious frosting is only half the battle; knowing how to prepare it efficiently and store it properly ensures you can enjoy its fresh taste and perfect texture whenever you need it. Our homemade cherry frosting is remarkably adaptable for make-ahead convenience and freezer storage, making it an excellent option for planning ahead.

Make-Ahead & Refrigeration

This homemade cherry frosting is wonderfully make-ahead-friendly! You can prepare it several days in advance, significantly saving you time and stress on the day of your event or baking project. Simply transfer the finished frosting to an airtight container, pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the frosting to prevent a crust from forming, then seal the container. Refrigerate it, and it will keep beautifully for up to five days. When you’re ready to use it, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about an hour. It might appear stiff at first, but a quick whip with your electric mixer for a minute or two will restore its original fluffy, pipeable consistency before decorating.

Freezing & Thawing Instructions

For longer-term storage, cherry frosting freezes exceptionally well. This is perfect for when you have leftovers or want to prepare a batch far in advance. Place the frosting in an airtight, freezer-safe container, again ensuring there’s minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn and preserve its fresh flavor. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months without compromising its quality or texture. To use frozen frosting, transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly overnight. Once thawed, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. You will likely find that it needs a good stir or a quick re-whip with a hand mixer or stand mixer to bring it back to a pliable, smooth consistency suitable for piping or spreading. The goal is a texture that’s easy to work with but not so loose that it melts or slides off your baked goods once applied.

Creative Recipe Variations for Your Cherry Frosting

While our classic cherry frosting recipe is absolutely delightful on its own, it’s also a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these variations to customize the flavor, texture, or dietary suitability to your preferences, making it truly your own.

Flavor & Consistency Adjustments

Balancing Sweetness: Many find buttercream frostings to be quite sweet. To elegantly balance the sweetness of this cherry buttercream frosting, you can add a tiny pinch of fine sea salt (about ¼ teaspoon). This subtle addition enhances the other flavors and prevents the frosting from tasting cloyingly sweet. Alternatively, an easy substitution is to use salted butter instead of unsalted butter; just remember to adjust any additional salt you might consider adding.

Enhancing Cherry Flavor: For an even more intense, concentrated cherry flavor, consider adding a tiny amount of pure cherry extract (ensure it’s natural, not artificial flavoring). Start with a quarter teaspoon and add more to taste, being careful not to overdo it as extracts can be potent. A very small amount of finely grated lemon zest (about ¼ teaspoon) can also brighten the overall flavor profile, complementing the cherry beautifully without overpowering it.

Maraschino Cherry Juice Quality: The quality of your maraschino cherry juice greatly influences the final taste and vibrancy of your frosting. While any brand will work, we highly recommend trying Luxardo maraschino cherries. This premium brand is renowned for its rich, authentic cherry flavor and a deeper, more natural red color. It is often the choice of top-tier bars and chefs for crafting exquisite cocktails and desserts, and its juice will impart a naturally superior taste to your homemade cherry frosting.

Dietary Considerations

Vegetarian Option: This luscious buttercream frosting recipe is naturally vegetarian, making it suitable for a wide range of diets without requiring any modifications or special ingredient swaps.

Vegan Option: To transform this delightful recipe into a completely vegan treat, simply swap the traditional unsalted dairy butter with a high-quality, plant-based butter alternative. It’s crucial that your plant-based butter is at room temperature for the best whipping consistency and to achieve that desired fluffy texture.

Gluten-Free: For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, it’s essential to meticulously check the ingredients of your maraschino cherries. While cherries themselves are naturally gluten-free, some commercial brands of maraschino cherries or their juices may contain unsafe additives, preservatives, or cross-contamination that are not suitable for a gluten-free diet. Always opt for a certified gluten-free brand to ensure your cherry frosting is safe for consumption.

Alcohol-Free & Boozy Options: Our standard cherry frosting recipe is deliciously alcohol-free, making it perfect for family gatherings and celebrations involving all ages. However, if you’re looking to create a “boozy” frosting for adult-only gatherings, you can thoughtfully replace a portion of the maraschino cherry juice with a complementary alcoholic spirit. Cherry liqueur, kirsch (a clear cherry brandy), or even a good quality vanilla vodka can work wonderfully. Start by replacing just one tablespoon of cherry juice with your chosen alcohol and gradually add more, tasting as you go, until you achieve your desired flavor and a balanced consistency. Be mindful that adding too much liquid can significantly alter the frosting’s texture, making it too thin.

Sugar-Free: To significantly reduce the sugar content of this recipe, you can make two key substitutions. First, swap regular powdered sugar with a high-quality sugar-free powdered sugar alternative (such as erythritol-based sweeteners). Second, seek out maraschino cherries that have no added sugars or are naturally sweetened. Alternatively, you can rinse regular maraschino cherries thoroughly to remove some of their syrup before extracting the juice.

Scaling the Recipe

The base recipe typically yields approximately 4 to 5 cups of frosting, which is usually enough for a standard two-layer 8 or 9-inch cake, or to generously frost two dozen standard-sized cupcakes. However, you can easily scale this recipe up or down to meet your specific needs. For a smaller batch (e.g., for a dozen cupcakes), simply halve all ingredients. For a larger event or if you’re frosting multiple desserts, simply double or triple the recipe, ensuring you have a large enough mixing bowl and a robust electric mixer to handle the increased volume.

Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Cherry Frosting

Achieving bakery-quality frosting at home is entirely possible with a few insider tips and techniques. These expert recommendations will help you ensure your cherry frosting is always perfectly smooth, fluffy, stable, and utterly delicious.

• Room Temperature Butter is Non-Negotiable: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for any buttercream. Cold butter won’t cream properly, leading to a lumpy, inconsistent frosting with poor texture. Conversely, butter that’s too warm or melted will result in a runny, oily frosting that’s very difficult to salvage and stabilize. Aim for butter that’s soft enough to easily indent with your finger but still holds its shape, typically taking 30-60 minutes out of the fridge.
• Achieving Perfect Consistency: The beauty of buttercream is its adaptability. If your frosting seems too thick for spreading or piping, gradually add more maraschino cherry juice (or a splash of milk or cream) one teaspoon at a time, mixing well after each addition until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin or runny, slowly incorporate more powdered sugar, a quarter cup at a time, until it thickens sufficiently. Always adjust gradually to avoid over-correcting.
• Color Control: Maraschino cherry juice naturally imparts a lovely pale pink shade to your frosting. If you desire a more vibrant, deep pink or red frosting for a more dramatic visual impact, add red food coloring gel (gel colors are preferred over liquid as they are more concentrated and won’t thin the frosting) a tiny drop at a time until you reach your desired hue. Remember to adjust consistency with powdered sugar if needed, as per the tip above, after adding any liquid coloring.
• Chill Your Cake (or Cupcakes) Before Frosting: This is a golden rule in cake decorating that will save you much frustration. Always ensure your cake or cupcakes are completely cooled to room temperature, and ideally even slightly chilled in the fridge for at least 15-30 minutes, before you begin frosting. Applying frosting to a warm cake will cause it to melt, slide off, and create a messy, unstable situation.
• Flavor Enhancements: While cherry is the undisputed star of this frosting, you can subtly combine it with other complementary flavors to add complexity. A teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or almond extract can deepen the flavor profile beautifully, adding a classic touch. For a sophisticated and unexpected twist, a hint of rosewater or a tiny drop of orange extract can also be surprisingly delightful. If adding additional liquid extracts, be prepared to add a little extra powdered sugar to maintain the perfect consistency.
• Sift Your Powdered Sugar: To guarantee an ultra-smooth, lump-free frosting that’s a joy to work with, take an extra minute to sift your powdered sugar before adding it to the butter. This simple step removes any small clumps that can otherwise result in a grainy texture and makes a noticeable difference in the final smoothness of your buttercream.
• Whip for Airiness: Don’t be shy with your mixer! After all ingredients are combined, beat the frosting on medium-high speed for an additional 2-3 minutes. This incorporates air, making the frosting incredibly light, fluffy, and easy to spread or pipe, giving it a professional finish.

Delicious Pairings: What to Serve with Cherry Frosting

You’ve just whipped up a fresh batch of our glorious homemade cherry frosting – now comes the fun part: deciding how to enjoy every last spoonful! This versatile buttercream is fantastic on a wide array of baked goods, adding a burst of sweet, fruity flavor and a beautiful presentation. Here are some recipe ideas to inspire your culinary creations:

• Mississippi Mud Cake: The rich, deep chocolate flavors of a fudgy Mississippi Mud Cake create an incredible, decadent contrast with the bright, sweet cherry frosting.
• Mountain Dew Cake: For a truly unique and refreshing pairing, the light citrus notes and vibrant sweetness in a Mountain Dew Cake provide an unexpected but remarkably delicious counterpoint to the cherry.
• Cookie Sandwiches: Spread this vibrant cherry frosting generously between two soft sugar cookies, rich chocolate cookies, or even delicate shortbread for an irresistible, bite-sized treat.
• Mummy Cake Pops: Elevate fun and festive cake pops with a delightful layer of cherry flavor beneath their decorative exterior.
• Guinness Chocolate Cake Pops: The subtle malty, robust notes of a Guinness chocolate cake pop would be wonderfully complemented and brightened by the sweet and fruity cherry.
• Chocolate Peppermint Cherry Dump Cake: If you’re already indulging in a cherry-infused dessert, this frosting can add an extra layer of creamy cherry goodness and a luxurious texture.
• Classic Cupcakes: Beyond chocolate, this frosting is sublime on a variety of cupcake flavors, including light vanilla, aromatic almond, or even zesty lemon cupcakes.
• Cakes: Use it to generously frost a classic white cake, a rich chocolate layer cake, or even a funfetti cake for a truly festive and eye-catching celebration dessert.
• Brownies: A simple pan of fudgy brownies can be instantly transformed into a gourmet dessert with a thick, luscious layer of cherry frosting on top.
• Sugar Cookies: Plain sugar cookies become incredibly festive and flavorful when frosted with this delightful cherry buttercream, perfect for any occasion.
• Pies: A generous dollop on a warm slice of apple pie or even a rich chocolate cream pie can add a surprising, fruity twist that will delight your taste buds.

More Irresistible Dessert Recipes to Explore

If you have a passion for baking, discovering new sweet treats, and bringing deliciousness to your kitchen, you’re in the right place! We love sharing recipes that bring joy to your kitchen and your table. After you’ve mastered this amazing cherry frosting, why not try some of these other fantastic dessert ideas to expand your baking repertoire?

• Butter Pecan Cookies
• Caramel Macchiato Cookies
• Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies
• Tiramisu Martini (A decadent dessert drink!)
• Krumkake (A delicate and traditional Norwegian cookie)

Do you love exploring new recipes and culinary inspiration? Make sure to check out our extensive collections of copycat recipes for your favorite restaurant dishes, a wide variety of dessert recipes for every craving, and our incredibly convenient CrockPot Recipes for effortless meal preparation that saves you time and effort.

Stay connected with Tammilee Tips for all our latest culinary adventures, helpful kitchen hacks, and delicious recipe posts! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to never miss a sweet update.

Printable Cherry Frosting Recipe Card

Cherry Frosting Recipe

A simple and delightful recipe for making the best homemade Cherry Frosting, perfect for any sweet occasion.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Author: Tammilee Tips

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 sticks (1 cup) Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
• 4-5 cups Confectioners’ Powdered Sugar, sifted
• 5 Tablespoons Maraschino Cherry Juice

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the room-temperature butter on high speed until it becomes light, fluffy, and noticeably pale in color. This process usually takes about 3-5 minutes, allowing ample air to be incorporated.
2. Gradually add 3 cups of the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time. Begin mixing on low speed until the sugar is just incorporated with the butter, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until smooth after each addition.
3. Stop the mixer and thoroughly scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all the butter and sugar are fully combined and no unmixed pockets remain.
4. Pour in the maraschino cherry juice and mix on medium speed until it is fully combined, and the frosting takes on a beautiful, uniform pink hue.
5. Add the remaining 1-2 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, continuing to mix until the desired consistency for your frosting is reached. Add more powdered sugar for a stiffer frosting, or a teaspoon more cherry juice for a looser one.
6. Once all ingredients are combined, beat the frosting on high speed for an additional 1-2 minutes until it is incredibly light, airy, and perfectly smooth. This final whip creates that desirable fluffy buttercream texture.

Kitchen Tools

• Electric Hand Mixer (or Stand Mixer)
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Spatula
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Sifter (optional, but recommended for powdered sugar)

Love this recipe? Stay inspired! Follow @TammileeTIps on Pinterest for more delicious ideas and daily recipe inspiration!

Tried this recipe? We’d love to see your creations! Share a photo of your cherry frosting masterpiece on Instagram and mention @TammileeTipsLife!

This delightful Cherry Frosting recipe was originally shared on December 6, 2015, and has been comprehensively updated in October 2020 to bring you the best possible version of this classic and beloved sweet topping. We hope you enjoy baking and decorating with it as much as we do!