Cherry Frosting

Prep: 10 min Cuisine: American

Cherry Frosting offers a sweet, tangy, and colorful topping ideal for cakes and cupcakes. Its vibrant red hue and hint of peppermint make it perfect for festive occasions or special treats, delighting those who enjoy a rich cherry flavor combined with a smooth, creamy texture.

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Ingredients

  • 3 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 drops red food coloring
  • 2 Tbsp. drained chopped maraschino cherries
  • 1/3 c. soft butter
  • 2 Tbsp. milk
  • 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Instructions

  1. Mix powdered sugar with softened butter.
  2. Stir in vanilla extract, milk, drained chopped maraschino cherries, red food coloring, and peppermint extract.

Tips & Substitutions

For a smoother frosting, ensure your butter is at room temperature before mixing. If you want a more intense cherry flavor, consider adding a bit of cherry extract. You can also substitute the maraschino cherries with fresh cherries or freeze-dried cherries for a different twist. To make it a bit more festive, add a touch of almond extract for extra depth in flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Cherry Frosting pairs beautifully with vanilla or chocolate cakes, and also works well on cupcakes. For a fun twist, use it to frost a batch of brownies or spread it on sugar cookies. It can also be a delightful topping for pancakes or waffles. Consider browsing more American recipes for additional dessert ideas that complement this frosting.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover Cherry Frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When ready to use, allow it to come to room temperature and give it a good stir to restore its creamy texture. If it’s too thick, you can mix in a little milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Cherry Frosting contains roughly 575 calories, with 1g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 2g fat.

575 kcal 29% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 0.6g 1% DV
Total Fat 1.6g 2% DV
Carbs 33.2g 12% DV
Fiber 0.3g 1% DV
Sugar 31g 62% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 40.5mg 2% DV
Potassium 287.2mg 6% DV
Cholesterol 2.3mg 1% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 14.3mcg 2% DV
Vitamin C 1.2mg 1% DV
Vitamin D 0.1mcg 1% DV
Calcium 54.7mg 4% DV
Iron 0.7mg 4% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Milk

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Cherry Frosting ahead of time. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to use, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using, and stir to restore its creamy consistency.

Can I use a different type of sugar?

While powdered sugar is ideal for frosting due to its fine texture, you can substitute it with a homemade version by blending granulated sugar until fine. However, this may affect the smoothness and sweetness level slightly.

Is there a way to make this frosting dairy-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative such as coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute. Additionally, use almond milk or any other plant-based milk in place of regular milk for a delicious dairy-free Cherry Frosting.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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