Cherry Caramel Cake With A Cream Cheese Filling

Cherry pie is a true American classic that can be found at most 4th of July parties, birthdays, cookouts, and pretty much any occasion that is deserving of a little sweet treat. But we're not making cherry pie today. No, we're actually switching things up a bit and making cherry cake! This one is filled with a rich and sumptuous cream cheese filling and a whole army of Maraschino cherries, then topped with the most divine caramel sauce you've ever tasted. The way the tartness from the cherries plays against the sweetness from the caramel is something you won't soon forget!

You'll Need:

For the dough:

  • 5¾ cups flour
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tsp baking powder 

For the cream cheese filling:

  • 16 oz cream cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 14 oz Maraschino cherries

For the caramel sauce:

  • 16 oz soft caramels
  • 1 stick butter

Extra:

  • 1 whisked egg + 1 tbsp milk for the egg wash
  • ⅓ cup honey to brush on top
  • ⅔ cup chopped walnuts
  • 1⅓ cups shredded coconut
  • 2 sheet pans

Here's How:

1. First prepare the dough. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and knead with your hands until a smooth dough starts to form. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. After you've taken the dough out of the fridge, divide it into 2 parts, roll out one half using a rolling pin, and then transfer it to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The rolled-out dough should be about 12 x 12 inches.

3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and get started on the cream cheese filling. Add the cream cheese, eggs, and sugar to a bowl and use a hand mixer to combine everything. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the dough all the way to the edges and then place the cherries on top in an even pattern.

4. Take the other half of dough and roll it out – this one should be slightly larger than the first one. Place it on top of the cherries and fold the edges under so the filling is no longer visible.

5. Brush the egg wash over the dough, transfer the pan to the oven, and bake and bake for 40 minutes.

6. While the cake cools down, melt the soft caramels and butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring regularly.

7. Pour the caramel sauce on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread it evenly over about 9 x 15 inches. Refrigerate the caramel for about 10 minutes.

8. Once the caramel has set, cut it into about ¾-inch thick strips.

9. Brush honey over the cake and place the caramel strips diagonally across the cake, making sure to leave a small gap between each strip.

10. Decorate the gaps between the caramel strips with shredded coconut and chopped walnuts.

Juicy cherries, a luxurious cream cheese filling, and delicious caramel strips all combined into a cake that you and yours are going to love. If you find yourself rooting for cakes in the great cake vs. pie debate, then this one is perfect for you!

Get the recipe for the Apple Caramel Tart featured in the bonus video.

Comments

Also hefty