• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me

Beyond The Chicken Coop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
×
Home » Cake

Published: Jul 29, 2019 · Modified: Jun 5, 2021 by Kathy

Cherry Snack Cake

Jump to Recipe

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

A slice of cake filled with cherries on a plate.

Cherry Snack Cake is a delicious cake filled with tart cherries! This moist cake doesn't need any frosting or icing. It's delicious and so full of flavor. 

This easy to make cake can be mixed entirely by hand - no electric mixer needed!

A square piece of cake filled with cherries.

A delicious little cake

This cherry cake is perfect for dessert, snacks, or lunches. It packs perfectly in a lunch box and makes a special treat for any kid or adult.

This cake is moist and holds together well. It's best eaten sliced into squares and eaten without any frosting or extra topping. Because this cake holds together so well, it can be eaten right out of hand - no need for a plate or a fork. This cake is perfect for packing into school lunches!

Our pie cherry tree is fully loaded and ready to be picked. Right now I'm only picking a small amount of cherries every day and using them up in every way possible. I've made cherry cobbler and cherry pie and now I've made cherry cake!

We have two cherry trees; a Bing cherry tree and a sour or tart pie cherry tree. I used the bing cherries in cherry muffins and in a cherry crumble, but for this snack cake I used the tart cherries. 

Pie cherries

Pie cherries or sour cherries are tart cherries that are usually a bright red color. Pie cherries are softer and juicier than sweet cherries.

A pile of pie cherries on a white board.

How do I pit cherries?

There are a few ways to pit cherries. I find pie cherries easier to pit than a sweet cherries. When I pick pie cherries, I try to leave the stem on. I use the stem to help pit the cherries. 

Ways to pit cherries:

  1. Hold the cherry between your forefinger and thumb. Hold the stem in the other hand. Gently squeeze the cherry while gently pulling on the stem. Often the seed will pop right out and still be attached to the stem. This works best if they are pitted the same day they are picked. Sometimes the seed stays inside and then I go to step 2 or 3.
  2. Gently squeeze the cherry without the stem until the seed comes out.
  3. Use a cherry pitter to remove the seed.
Slices of cake on a white platter.

Key ingredients

Fresh cherries, eggs, butter, flour and sugar on a white board.
  • Tart cherries - also called pie cherries. I've used fresh pie cherries, but if you can find frozen pie cherries, they'll work too!
  • Flour - Regular all-purpose flour is used in this recipe.
  • Butter - I use salted butter.
  • Milk - Whole milk will offer the best flavor and the best crumb for the cake.

Step-by-step directions

  • Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar together
  • In a separate bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, butter, and milk.
Flour, sugar and cinnamon being mixed together in a glass bowl.
Eggs, butter, vanilla and milk being mixed in a white bowl.
  • Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients.
Egg mixture being added to a flour mixture.
Cake batter being mixed together with an orange spatula.
  • Fold together until well incorporated.
Smooth cake batter in a bowl.
  • Fold cherries into batter.
Cherries in a cake batter.
  • Pour batter into greased baking pan and bake in a preheated 350° oven
Cake batter filled with fresh cherries in a baking dish.
  • Let cake fully cool and remove from pan
Cherry cake on a white surface.
  • Slice cake into squares and serve

Recipe tips

  • Preheat oven before baking. I turn my oven on when I first get started so it has time to fully preheat
  • Lightly grease the baking dish. I used a glass 11x7 casserole dish. You may use an 11x8 or a 9x13 dish, although the baking time will decrease.
  • Test cake to see if it is done with a wooden toothpick. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake and remove. If the toothpick has wet batter, continue cooking. If the toothpick has a few moist crumbs, the cake is baked through.
  • Allow cake to fully cool before removing from the baking dish
  • Store fully cooled cake in an airtight container or leave in baking dish and cover with plastic wrap.

Serving suggestions

I like to serve this cake plain, without any frosting. However, you could top with powdered sugar or a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

Recipe Faqs

Can I use frozen cherries?

I used fresh cherries when making this cake. You could also use frozen cherries. Fold cherries in while still frozen. Increase baking time by 5-10 minutes.

Frozen cherries are usually sold packaged as tart cherries, pie cherries or Montmorency cherries.

Can I use a different type of cherry?

Any type of cherry can be used in this cake, although it won't have the same taste as the tart cherries. Use bing or rainier cherries for a different taste.

How long will the cake last?

Cover fully cooled cake in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap for 2-3 days.

More easy and delicious cakes to make

  • Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes
  • Applesauce Cake
  • Cocoa Apple Cake
  • Carrot Cake
  • Orange Pound Cake
A slice of cherry cake on a white platter.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my delicious dessert recipes!

  • A slice of Rhubarb Coffee Cake on a small white plate.
    Rhubarb Coffee Cake
  • A slice of chocolate layer cake with the end piece sliced off with a fork.
    Chocolate Layer Cake
  • Chocolate Ganache with cocoa powder swirled on a layered cake.
    Chocolate Ganache
  • Brownie peanut butter cups stacked on a counter.
    Brownie Peanut Butter Cups
A square piece of cake filled with cherries.

Cherry Snack Cake

Kathy Berget
Moist yellow cake filled with tart cherries
5 from 27 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Baking, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 225 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Glass Baking Dish 7x11
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ⅓ cup butter (melted)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups tart cherries (pitted, or another type of fresh cherries)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl.
    2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • In a separate bowl combine milk, eggs, vanilla and melted butter.
    2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ⅓ cup butter, 1 cup milk
  • Add liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and fold ingredients together until fully combined
  • Fold in cherries.
    2 cups tart cherries
  • Pour batter into a greased 11 x 7 inch baking pan.
  • Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 45-50 minutes.
  • Allow cake to fully cool in baking dish. Cut into 12 pieces and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Any type of cherry can be used in this cake, although it won't have the same taste as the tart cherries. Use bing or rainier cherries for a different taste.
  • Preheat oven before baking. I turn my oven on when I first get started so it has time to fully preheat
  • Lightly grease baking dish. I used a glass 11x7 casserole dish. You may use an 11x8 or a 9x13 dish, although baking time will decrease.
  • Test cake to see if it is done with a wooden toothpick. Insert toothpick into the center of the cake and remove. If the toothpick has wet batter, continue cooking. If the toothpick has a few moist crumbs, the cake is baked through.
  • Allow cake to fully cool before removing from baking dish
  • Store fully cooled cake in an airtight container or leave in baking dish and cover with plastic wrap.

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 4gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 159mgPotassium: 144mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 245IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

More Cake

  • A slice of lemon poke cake on a small white plate.
    Lemon Poke Cake
  • A lemon bundt cake on a white cake plate.
    Lemon Bundt Cake
  • A stack of slices of orange pound cake topped with a glaze.
    Orange Pound Cake
  • Oreo cupcakes topped with a swirl of frosting.
    Oreo Cupcakes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chef Penn says

    November 06, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    5 stars
    I'm baking this as I write this. I put in half the cinnamon and added a 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla and almond flavoring and 2 teaspoons of Brandy and a small amount of lemon zest. Looks really good, I'm not a fan of frosting so this should be perfect. Thank you so much for posting. It's a late night snack tonight and it's so easy. I'm giving it a 5 star and i have only tasted the batter. lol If it's bad I'll come back and say so. I'm thinking you won't see me complain. I've saved the recipe for another day.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      November 07, 2021 at 5:26 am

      Hi,
      Thanks so much!!! The brandy sounds like a great addition - and so do the other adjustments you made. One of the things I love about this cake is no frosting! Makes it so easy and not too sweet. Hope you enjoyed your midnight snack!
      Kathy 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sandi says

    July 21, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    I used mix berries! It was AWESOME

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 21, 2021 at 2:32 pm

      That's a great way to mix up this snack cake!
      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  3. Denise G. says

    June 01, 2021 at 10:54 am

    Hi - tried this recipe for the first time, using cherries picked from the yard - EXCELLENT! Everyone in my family loved it!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      June 01, 2021 at 4:48 pm

      Wonderful! Thanks so much for letting me know how much everyone loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Marta says

    July 06, 2020 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Kathy,
    I meant to rate this recipe with 5 stars. Thanks again.
    Marta

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 07, 2020 at 6:40 am

      Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment and a 5 star rating!

      Reply
  5. Marta says

    July 06, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Hi Kathy,
    Thank you for responding to my question on the 4th of July eve. I made your snack cake with cherries. It was a big success and my husband loved it. I took a photo of it, but I don't know how to forward it to you. This is a delightful recipe. Would you please educate me as to its origin? The ingredients are very close to the Czech Bublanina. Yet, it is different because of the amount of oil. I think I will also bake it next time with chopped apples.
    Marta

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 07, 2020 at 6:43 am

      Hi Marta,
      I do not know the origin of this cake. I'm so glad your husband loved it and I think it's a great idea to try different fruit, instead of the cherries! If you have intstagram, you can tag me in the photo #beyondthechickencoop.
      Kathy

      Reply
  6. Marta says

    July 03, 2020 at 11:15 am

    Hi Kathy,
    Your recipe sounds delightful & I would like to bake it tomorrow. Would you please tell me if I use blueberries, which are less acidic, instead of cherries, will I still have to use baking soda or add more baking powder?
    Happy 4th of July !
    Marta

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 03, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      Hi Marta,
      I think blueberries would be great in this cake, however, I wouldn't change up the ingredients. Let me know how it turns out!
      Happy 4th to you too!
      Kathy

      Reply
  7. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    August 01, 2019 at 5:22 am

    5 stars
    Wishing I was snaking on this right now! Looks super moist and love those pops of colours and sweetness from cherries. Just what I need this am with my coffee 🙂 Pinned!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 02, 2019 at 6:00 am

      Delicious with a cup of coffee!!

      Reply
  8. Valentina says

    July 31, 2019 at 11:34 am

    5 stars
    A snack, dessert, breakfast -- I would have this cake any time of the day (or night). I think cherries should really be taken advantage of during their short season. The is another great way to use them. I love it. ~Valentina

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 02, 2019 at 6:05 am

      You got to love it when you can eat cake for breakfast! 🙂

      Reply
  9. sheenam @ thetwincookingproject says

    July 31, 2019 at 5:37 am

    I can snack on this forever!!!!! SO SO GOOD!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 02, 2019 at 6:09 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  10. Kelly | Foodtasia says

    July 31, 2019 at 12:12 am

    5 stars
    Kathy, this snack cake looks wonderful! I love the simplicity of snack cakes and the cherries in this one look so delicious! The tart cherries are such a pretty color!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 02, 2019 at 6:10 am

      I love the color of pie cherries - they are a vibrant red on the trees and they really stand out!

      Reply
  11. Natalie says

    July 30, 2019 at 10:10 pm

    5 stars
    I love cherry cakes! Looks so delicious and moist!

    Reply
  12. David @ Spiced says

    July 30, 2019 at 4:30 am

    5 stars
    That's it. I'm coming to your backyard and picking cherries! If you see me out there, don't shoot! 🙂 Then I'm coming home and making this snack cake. What a great idea for a school lunch. This beats the heck out of those pre-packaged snack cakes. Plus, it uses fruit from the backyard. Win!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 30, 2019 at 7:56 pm

      Ha! You are welcome to come pick - it will save me some work!

      Reply
  13. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says

    July 29, 2019 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    Love cherries! One of my favourite fruits 🙂
    I am a little jealous of your tree 😉 This sounds so good. Can't wait to bake soon!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 29, 2019 at 3:56 pm

      The tree is great, but sometimes all of it is a bit overwhelming! Hope you enjoy the cake!

      Reply
  14. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    July 29, 2019 at 8:28 am

    5 stars
    Bring on the cherries Kathy! I can't get enough. This snack cake looks like a total winner. On my baking list!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      July 29, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      Thanks and enjoy!

      Reply
5 from 27 votes (18 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

The author holding a chicken.

I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

More about me →

Grilling Time

  • Skewered shrimp on a plate.
    Honey Lime Shrimp
  • Grilled ribs on a bed of lettuce.
    Smoked Baby Back Ribs
  • Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers on a white dinner plate.
    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
  • Grilled chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Italian Dressing Chicken
  • Flatbread rounds on a brown paper bag.
    Grilled Flatbread
  • Grilled lemon chicken breast on a plate with baby potatoes and a green salad.
    Honey Lemon Chicken
  • A glass jar filled with an orange glaze with jalapenos.
    Jalapeno Apricot Sauce
  • A whole chicken on a can of beer on the grill.
    Beer Can Chicken on Grill

Popular Recipes

  • A single muffin topped with a crumbly topping on a plate.
    Banana Oatmeal Muffins
  • Breakfast sausage cooked in the oven.
    Breakfast Sausage in Oven
  • Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
    Pan Fried Walleye
  • Gravy pouring over a pile of mashed potatoes.
    Homemade Brown Gravy
  • Crispy fish cakes on a white platter with lemon wedges.
    Fish Cakes
  • Pasta twirled around a fork and in a large white bowl.
    Garlic Butter Pasta

Cookbooks

Two cookbooks piled on a counter.

Featured In...

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

Footer

↑ back to top

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Disclosure Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 Beyond the Chicken Coop LLC ®

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.