Cherry Cake (Peanut Blossom Variant)

Short description

This Cherry Cake puts a playful spin on a classic, marrying a moist cherry‑infused sponge with peanut butter blossom cookie flavors. Imagine cherry‑studded cake layered or topped with soft peanut butter blossoms, crowned with milk chocolate kisses—delicious and festive.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Combines two beloved desserts: cherry cake and peanut butter blossom cookies

• Delightful texture contrast: tender cake with soft, chewy cookies

• Visually charming, especially when cookies frame the top layer

• Balanced flavors: sweet cherry meets rich peanut butter and chocolate

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Cake base: vanilla or sponge cake mix (or homemade vanilla sponge)

• Cherry pie filling or fresh pitted cherries

• Almond extract

• Eggs, sugar, flour (if scratch cake)

• Peanut butter blossoms cookies: peanut butter, sugar (granulated and brown), butter, egg, vanilla extract, all‑purpose flour, baking soda, optional cornstarch

• Hershey’s Kisses or similar chocolate in centers

directions

1. Make the cherry cake: Preheat oven to about 325–350 °F. Prepare batter with cherry pie filling, almond and vanilla extract, eggs, sugar, and flour or mix. Pour half into a 9×13‑inch pan or layer pans.

2. Spoon reserved cherries or extra filling over the cake layer, then cover with remaining batter. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, approximately 40–45 minutes buttermilk+12Peanut Blossom+12Savor The Spoonful+12FacebookChelsea’s Messy ApronMy Baking Addiction+6Savor The Spoonful+6Blue Bowl+6.

3. Prepare peanut butter blossoms: Cream butter, peanut butter, sugars, add egg and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda (and optional cornstarch). Roll dough into 1‑inch balls and coat in granulated sugar Tasty Treats and EatsThe Gracious WifeBettyCrocker.com.

4. Bake cookies 8–12 minutes at 375 °F or per recipe. Immediately after baking, press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie My Baking Addiction. Cool on sheet so chocolate sets.

   5. Assemble: Let cake cool completely. Optionally frost with almond or cream cheese icing, then arrange peanut butter blossoms across the top or around the edges.

Servings and timing

• Servings: Tournament yield ~12 slices from a 9×13 pan, and ~36–60 cookies depending on cookie batch size Facebook+2BettyCrocker.com+2Facebook+2Tasty Treats and Eats+2Blue Bowl+2Wikipédia+2.

• Timing:

  • Cherry cake: Prep ~10 min; bake 40–45 min; cool ~30 min

  • Cookies: Prep ~15 min; bake 8–12 min; cool ~10 min

  • Total project time ~1.5–2 hours

Variations

• Use mini cookie blossoms for decoration or to layer inside cake

• Switch Hershey’s Kisses to flavored varieties (caramel, dark chocolate, cherry‑flavored) for a twist Savor The Spoonful+1BettyCrocker.com+1Chelsea’s Messy Apron

• Gluten‑free option: use gluten‑free flour for cookies and cake, or make flourless three‑ingredient peanut blossoms Savor The Spoonful

• Vegan adaptation: swap egg in cookies with flax egg and use dairy‑free chocolate and vegan cake Savor The Spoonful

• Incorporate chopped almonds or maraschino cherries atop frosting for garnish Peanut Blossom

storage/reheating

• Cake: store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in fridge for 4–5 days. Freeze individual slices for up to 1 month.

• Cookies: keep in airtight container at room temperature 5–7 days or freeze un‑iced for up to 3 months; thaw before using reddit.com+11The Gracious Wife+11Tasty Treats and Eats+11Savor The Spoonful.

• Reheating: warm slices lightly in microwave (~10–15 s) for best texture. Cookies enjoy room temperature warmth to soften chocolate center.

FAQs

What cake mix or recipe works best for the cherry base?

A vanilla cake mix upgraded with cherry pie filling and almond extract works beautifully. You can also make a sponge cake from scratch if preferred.

Can I bake the cake and cookies simultaneously?

Yes, if oven space allows. Cookies bake faster at higher temperature, so bake them separately or early and cool while cake finishes.

Should I add cherries into the cake batter or just on top?

Mix cherries into half the batter for surprise bursts and also layer extra on top before covering with remaining batter for balanced fruit distribution Peanut Blossom+1zoebakes.com+1.

Can I prepare cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely. Cookies freeze well. Bake, cool, store in freezer-safe container, and defrost before decorating or serving.

How do I prevent cookies from drying out?

Avoid over‑baking, measure flour carefully, and use creamy peanut butter (not natural “drippy”) for optimal soft‑chewy texture Chelsea’s Messy Apron+3The Gracious Wife+3Savor The Spoonful+3.

Any alternative to Hershey’s Kisses?

You may use Hershey’s Hugs, caramel kisses, mini peanut butter cups, or chopped nuts rolled in sugar as centers Wikipédia+1Chelsea’s Messy Apron+1.

Is the icing almond or cream cheese?

Either works. Almond icing pairs with cherry flavor elegantly, while cream cheese frosting offers a tangy contrast. You can stir reserved cherry filling into cream cheese frosting for color and flavor Peanut Blossom.

How long does it take for chocolate kisses to set?

After pressing into warm cookies, allow 5–10 minutes on the baking sheet for the chocolate to firm before moving them.

Can I make the recipe gluten-free?

Yes—for cookies, use gluten‑free flour or try a flourless version with peanut butter, sugar, and egg. Similarly, use gluten‑free cake ingredients.

How should I layer cake and cookies for presentation?

Place a ring of blossoms around cake’s perimeter, or alternate cookie and icing circles. Alternatively, sandwich duo: cookie‑centered blossoms atop frosted slices.

Conclusion

This Cherry Cake with Peanut Blossom cookie embellishment is a festive, indulgent mash‑up of cherry sweetness and peanut‑butter‑chocolate delight. It’s ideal for holidays, celebrations, or just bringing something unique to the table. The contrasting textures, vibrant flavor duo of cherry and peanut, and charming presentation make it a memorable dessert. Enjoy crafting and sharing this twist on two classic treats

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