Best Newfoundland Cherry Cake Recipe

Welcome to the cherished world of Newfoundland Cherry Cake! This iconic dessert holds a special place in the hearts of Newfoundlanders, beloved for its rich history and delightful flavor.

For insights into the history of this regional treat, explore how traditional Newfoundland baking often features simple, hearty ingredients like glacé cherries.

It’s a moist, dense cake packed with sweet glacé cherries and a hint of almond, making it truly irresistible. The secret to its unique texture and depth? Undiluted evaporated milk, which creates an exceptionally tender crumb.

The use of evaporated milk in baking contributes to a rich, moist texture, as detailed in various culinary science resources discussing the properties of evaporated milk in recipes.

This recipe brings a taste of tradition right to your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Newfoundland Cherry Cake

You’ll adore this Newfoundland Cherry Cake for many reasons, making it a perfect addition to your baking repertoire. It’s truly a classic!

• Rich, Moist Texture: The evaporated milk ensures a beautifully tender and incredibly moist crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Authentic Taste Profile: Experience the genuine flavors of a traditional Newfoundland favorite, a true taste of home.
• Perfect for Holidays or Gifting: This cake makes a wonderful centerpiece for festive occasions or a thoughtful, delicious gift for loved ones.
• Simple, Straightforward Recipe: Our step-by-step guide ensures even beginners can achieve a perfect, bakery-worthy result with ease.
• Comforting and Nostalgic: Each slice offers a comforting embrace, evoking warm memories and a sense of tradition.

Newfoundland Cherry Cake Recipe

This traditional Newfoundland Cherry Cake recipe features glace cherries folded into a rich, buttery batter, baked until golden and moist. It’s a beloved treat perfect for any occasion.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Canadian

Servings 12 slices

Calories 410 kcal

Equipment

• Colander
• Paper towels
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Sifter
• Springform pan OR Tube pan OR Loaf pans
• Parchment paper
• Oven
• Wooden toothpick
• Wire rack

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound Glace cherries chopped, about 2 1/2 cups
• 1/4 cup Flour for tossing cherries
• 1 1/2 cups Butter
• 2 cups Sugar
• 3 Eggs
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 2 tsp Almond extract
• 3 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 cup Evaporated milk lukewarm, undiluted

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Rinse and pat dry the glace cherries, then cut them into halves or quarters and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well combined.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the 3 cups of flour and baking powder.
• Alternately fold the sifted dry ingredients into the creamed mixture with the lukewarm milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
• Just before folding into the batter, toss the chopped glace cherries with the 1/4 cup of flour.
• Pour the batter into a greased, floured, and parchment-lined springform, tube, or loaf pan.
• Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour, checking for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
• Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Rinsing cherries helps prevent them from sinking. Baking times can vary; use the toothpick test to ensure the cake is perfectly baked and not dry.

Keyword Almond Cherry Cake, Canadian Cherry Cake, Classic Newfoundland Dessert, Glacé Cherry Cake, Moist Cherry Cake, Newfoundland Cherry Cake, Newfoundland Cherry Cake Recipe, Traditional Newfoundland Cherry Cake

Ingredients

Making a delicious Newfoundland Cherry Cake starts with a few simple, quality ingredients you likely have on hand. These components come together to create a cake bursting with flavor and tradition.

• 1 pound chopped glacé cherries (About 2 1/2 cups) + 1/4 cup flour
• 1 ½ cups butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 cup lukewarm, undiluted evaporated milk

Notes & Substitutions

Always rinse your glacé cherries thoroughly under cold water. Pat them completely dry with paper towels; this helps prevent them from clumping and sinking in the batter. When measuring evaporated milk, use it undiluted straight from the can, and ensure it’s lukewarm. For a different flavor, substitute some glacé cherries with other dried fruits like chopped apricots or golden raisins. Adjust the almond extract to your taste; some prefer a stronger almond presence, while others prefer less. If making multiple small loaf cakes, for three 8×4 inch pans, increase all ingredient amounts by about one-third.

Equipment

Gathering your tools before you start baking makes the process smooth and enjoyable. You’ll need a few essential items to prepare this delightful cake.

• A large mixing bowl
• Electric stand mixer or hand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Sifter or whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 8-inch springform pan, a tube pan, or two 9×5 inch loaf pans

Instructions

Creating your own Newfoundland Cherry Cake is a rewarding experience. Follow these straightforward steps for a perfectly baked, moist, and flavorful cake every time.

1. Prepare Cherries: Rinse the glacé cherries in a colander to remove any excess syrup. Pat them thoroughly dry between layers of paper towels. This crucial step helps prevent them from sinking into the batter. Depending on their size, cut them into halves or quarters and set them aside for later. You will toss them in 1/4 cup of flour just before folding into the batter.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This takes about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add Eggs: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything mixes evenly. The mixture should appear light and fluffy.
4. Stir in Extracts: Beat in the vanilla extract and almond extract until just combined. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
5. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the 3 cups of all-purpose flour and the baking powder. This helps to aerate the flour and remove any lumps.
6. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the creamed mixture alternately with the lukewarm evaporated milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. As a general rule, add the dry ingredients in three portions and the milk in two portions, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
7. Fold in Cherries: At the last minute, toss the chopped glacé cherries in the reserved 1/4 cup of flour until they are lightly coated. Gently fold these floured cherries into the cake batter using a rubber spatula.
8. Prepare Pan(s): Grease and flour your chosen baking pan(s) – an 8-inch springform pan, a tube pan, or two 9×5 inch loaf pans. For loaf pans, lining them with parchment paper is also recommended for easy removal. If using disposable 8×4 inch pans for smaller cakes, adjust ingredients as noted in the ingredients section.
9. Bake: Transfer the prepared batter into your baking pan(s), spreading it evenly. Bake at 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size and type of your cake pan.
10. Check for Doneness: Baking times vary significantly for this recipe, so always rely on the toothpick test. Insert a wooden toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean when the cake is done. Be careful not to overbake, as this can result in a dry cake.
11. Cooling: Let the cake cool in the pan(s) for 10 minutes after baking. Then, carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving the perfect Newfoundland Cherry Cake is simple with a few smart techniques. These tips will help you bake like a pro and avoid common baking pitfalls.

• Prevent Cherries from Sinking: Rinsing, drying, and lightly flouring your glacé cherries before folding them into the batter significantly reduces their tendency to sink.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more effectively, creating a smoother, more emulsified batter.
• Proper Creaming: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cake’s tender texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough, dry cake.
• Toothpick Test is Key: Always use the toothpick test for doneness. Oven temperatures vary, so relying on visual cues alone can be misleading for this dense cake.
• Adjust Baking Times: Smaller pans or multiple loaf pans will bake faster than a single large cake. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the suggested time.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile Newfoundland Cherry Cake offers many possibilities for enjoyment. From serving suggestions to storage tips and delightful variations, discover how to make this cake uniquely yours.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your classic cake simply alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy treat. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a simple lemon glaze can add an elegant touch. It makes a festive and comforting dessert for any gathering.

Storage Instructions

Store the cooled cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For extended freshness, refrigerate it for up to a week. This cake also freezes beautifully; wrap slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Flavor Variations

Add a handful of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for extra crunch and flavor. Incorporate other dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates to vary the fruit profile. A touch of citrus zest, from an orange or lemon, can brighten the cake’s overall flavor. While this is a glacé cherry cake, you can adapt the idea for fresh cherries by reducing the sugar slightly and ensuring the cherries are well-drained.

Nutrition Information

This nutrition information for Newfoundland Cherry Cake is an estimate based on the ingredients provided and calculated per serving.

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

FAQ

Conclusion

Baking this Newfoundland Cherry Cake is more than just making a dessert; it’s an experience rooted in tradition and comfort. Its rich, moist texture, hints of almond, and abundance of sweet cherries make it a timeless classic that brings joy to any occasion. We encourage you to try this simple recipe and share a slice of Newfoundland heritage with your family and friends. We would love to hear about your baking journey and how your cake turned out in the comments below! Happy baking!