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Cherry and Vanilla Layered Cake

I know, okay? I know, I know, I know. Cake mixes are evil. No one should ever stoop so low as to make them. Blah-dee-dah. If I lie and say that I agree with all that, can we just move on? Good. now make this cake.

Cherry and Vanilla Layered Cake
6-8 servings

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1/3 c. oil
1/2 c. water
2 -3 eggs, depending on instructions on box of cake mix.
15 maraschino cherries, approximately
3/4 c. maraschino juice
Seeds of one vanilla bean
Frosting recipe of your choice or *dare I say it* a premade jar of frosting

1. Preheat oven to box directions. Drain the cherries reserving juice; chop cherries in half and reserve.

2. Prepare cake mix according to box directions, adding water and cherry juice to equal the amount of liquid needed for cake mix. (In my case, the amount of water called for on the box was 1 1/4 c. I substituted 3/4 c. cherry juice and 1/2 c. water instead)

3. Fold the cherries and vanilla bean seeds into the cake mix; stirring by hand. Pour mix into 2 round cake pans (about 8 – 9 inches) and bake in preheated oven according to pan size and temperature listed on the box.

4. When cake has completely cooled, frost; serve and keep unused portions in refrigerator.

Source: Adapted from Allrecipes.com

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60 Comments

  1. I LOVE this cake! It's so pretty and well CHERRY! I keep thinking I'm going to try something with Angel food and cherries.

  2. Hi Ali,
    I love your definition of Jam Hands…I had a laugh! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!
    ~Shana

  3. oh wow, this looks so good! i'd love to rather do it right from scratch but i love the idea either way and i think i'm going to give it a try!

  4. My son loves cherries…I can't wait to make this for him (and me!)….I, too, like cake mixes and ready made frosting….in a pinch they sure come in handy.

  5. Found you through Funky Polkadot Giraffe. This cake looks so pretty. I'm adding it to my recipe file. Thanks for sharing.

  6. Thank you everyone for your compliments on the cake. 🙂

    -Lindy I emailed you re: the vanilla beans

    -Marriah, you are so right, I mean I am lucky if I pull off perfect for any time at all 🙂

  7. cutie pie cake! New follower. Found this great site via a link up somewhere….I lose track! Great site thanks!

  8. This made me laugh! I really don't get all the fuss about cake mixes–they are my friend. I'm known for my cakes and I actually prefer them to scratch cakes! This one looks so light and downright divine. You rock the doctored up cake mix cake! 🙂

  9. My mouth is watering… first the nachos then this?! I totally agree about boxed cake mixes… they make life easier. Thanks for sharing these 🙂

  10. FINALLY, a recipe with a cake mix! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I must try this recipe! Thanks for sharing.

  11. Thanks for linking up at Fancy Friday! This looks delicious. Cherry is my favorite flavor for dessert, yum!

  12. This cake looks SO beautiful and absolutely delicious. There is no shame in a box mix when you amp it up like this! 🙂

  13. This is so delicious! Thank you for linking up this great post at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop 🙂

  14. YUM! My little guy LOVES cherries and I can't wait to make this with him! Thanks so much for sharing
    Jen
    Scissors & SPatulas

  15. Oh yea, that and your doritos casserole and I'm set to ruin my diet! Better grab some Coke-a-cola to top it all off! Looks So yummy!
    Thank you for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

  16. Can I reach through the computer screen and grab a slice of this cake? I wished! It looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.

    Amy
    http://utry.it

  17. There are times for homemade and there are times for mixes and those mixes are really incredible, I have to agree with you! This looks so great. Your picture at Sweets for a Saturday lured me right in. I bet this is incredible. I adore maraschino cherries!

  18. Hey Ali,

    I love cherry and vanilla together. I bet this made your kitchen smell just amazing!

    Thanks for linking up with Sweets This Week!

    Have a great weekend.

    Sarah

  19. @Allimakes – Hey if I'm going to ruin my own diet I am going to take a few people down with me. 😀

  20. This looks absolutely amazing! Check out my blog if you have time, it is alp about sweets! Thanks for sharing, this cherry cake will be in my head for the rest of the day!

  21. There is no shame in using cake mixed from time to time. In fact, Betty Crocker cherry chip cake is probably one of my favorites!

  22. I love the flavors of cherry and vanilla together. I can't wait to try your recipe. Thanks! Sheryl

  23. This is absolutely darling! (AND yummy!!!) Thanks for sharing at Make Something Mondays!

    ~ Sarah

  24. You are featured this week at "Anti-Procrastination Tuesday" @ New Nostalgia! Thank you so much for linking up! Hope to see you again this week.

  25. Hi! I'm a new follower. I laughed out loud about this post. I would never be a 'BOX MIX SNOB". They produce great recipes. I've even made dinner rolls out of a cake mix. This cake looks and sounds delicious.

  26. I have such childhood nostalgia for the classic Strawberry cake mix, and this recipe also conjures memories of a cherry chip cake from my childhood. I can almost taste it now! So happy to have found your blog!

    New follower (looks like the widget is working now),
    Jenn/Rook No. 17

  27. Yum!! Can I just say I love that you featured at cake with a cake mix and then added to it! Busy moms need this kinda thing, and no guilt for it either! I saw your feature at Sugar and Dots and had to stop by because I WANT a piece of that cake now!! hahah! Great Blog:) New follower!

  28. Oooh, that just looks so luscious. I love how you made it into a heart shape. Your cake tied for the #1 spot on last week's Sweets for a Saturday. Congrats!!!

  29. I knew I had a jar of cherries so I went out and grabbed a box of white cake mix and this cake is currently in my oven and it's smelling so good! My batter took on an orange hue as I was lazy and didn't follow the box directions to just use the egg whites. Since it's just for hubby and me that's ok but I'll remember I'd I ever make this for guests and I'm guessing I will!

  30. Holy Crikeys, 59 comments! Why have I not seen this recipe before now? Yum, it looks divine. I'm appalled that you would use a boxed cake mix, but otherwise, divine <—insert sarcasm. I also love using cherry juice to color and flavor food (so much better than food coloring). Yum.
    Aimee