The Vintage Cherry Dome Cake is a charming and nostalgic dessert that blends old-fashioned elegance with bold cherry flavor. Shaped like a dome and beautifully decorated with swirls of pink frosting, piped royal icing designs, and topped with a glossy maraschino cherry, this cake is both visually captivating and rich in taste. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a vintage-themed party, holiday celebration, or tea-time indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cake is a visual delight and a delicious throwback to retro baking traditions. Its soft, spongy interior is layered or filled with cherry-flavored cream or jam, while the dome shape offers a unique presentation that sets it apart from standard layer cakes. It’s festive, feminine, and fun to make, offering endless decorating possibilities to suit the occasion.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Whole milk
- Cherry jam or cherry compote (for filling)
- Pink food coloring (optional)
- Maraschino cherries (for topping)
- Heavy cream or buttercream (for frosting)
- Powdered sugar
- Red and white candy pearls (for decoration)
- Royal icing (for piped designs)
Directions
- Prepare the cake batter: Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, mixing until smooth.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into a greased and floured dome-shaped bowl or cake mold. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Prepare the filling: Once the cake is cooled, hollow out the center and fill with cherry jam or cherry compote. Replace the top and chill the cake to firm up.
- Make the frosting: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and a few drops of pink food coloring, or prepare a pink-tinted buttercream if desired. Cover the entire dome cake in an even layer.
- Decorate: Pipe royal icing in vintage-inspired patterns (bows, swirls, loops). Add red and white candy pearls around the design. Finish with a rosette of frosting and a maraschino cherry on top.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 8–10
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 45 minutes
- Cooling and Decorating Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
Variations
- Black Forest twist: Add chocolate shavings and a whipped cream filling along with cherries for a Black Forest-style dome.
- Almond-cherry combo: Add almond extract to the cake batter for a nutty depth that pairs well with cherry.
- Mini domes: Use smaller molds to create individual dome cakes for personal servings.
- Layered dome: Slice the dome cake horizontally and add layers of cherry filling and frosting for extra decadence.
- Gelatin insert: Place a cherry gelatin layer inside for a retro jelly surprise.
Storage/reheating
Store the Vintage Cherry Dome Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. This cake is not suitable for reheating, but it does freeze well without the decorations. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge before decorating.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cherry jam for the filling?
Yes, store-bought cherry jam or preserves work well. For a fresher taste, homemade cherry compote is also an excellent option.
What kind of mold should I use?
A heat-safe metal or glass bowl works best for the dome shape. Alternatively, use a silicone dome mold for easier release.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake and fill the cake a day in advance. Decorate it shortly before serving for best visual appeal.
Is royal icing necessary?
Royal icing is used for its stiffness and decorative precision. You can use buttercream for piping, though details may be softer.
How do I make the cherry flavor stronger?
Add a small amount of cherry extract to the batter or filling for a more pronounced cherry flavor.
Can I use fresh cherries?
Yes, fresh pitted cherries can be cooked down into a compote for a homemade filling.
Can this be made as a layer cake?
Absolutely, the same recipe can be baked in standard round pans and assembled as a layer cake.
How do I keep the dome shape from collapsing?
Allow the cake to cool fully and chill it slightly before decorating to help it hold its structure.
What’s the best way to apply the frosting evenly?
Use an offset spatula or a cake scraper. Chill the cake after a crumb coat, then apply a final smooth layer.
Can I make a chocolate version?
Yes, replace part of the flour with cocoa powder and pair it with cherry filling for a chocolate-cherry flavor profile.
Conclusion
The Vintage Cherry Dome Cake is a delightful tribute to classic home baking, combining eye-catching design with luscious cherry flavor. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, bridal shower, or simply embracing a retro aesthetic, this cake delivers on both beauty and taste. With its soft sponge, sweet filling, and charming presentation, it’s a dessert worth celebrating.
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Vintage Cherry Dome Cake
- Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling and decorating)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Vintage Cherry Dome Cake features a soft sponge filled with cherry cream and covered in a glossy red glaze. Topped with piped pink buttercream and a maraschino cherry, it’s a stunning retro dessert that tastes as dreamy as it looks.
Ingredients
For the sponge cake:
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4 large eggs
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3/4 cup all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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Pinch of salt
For the cherry cream filling:
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1 cup heavy whipping cream
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1/3 cup powdered sugar
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1/2 teaspoon almond extract
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1/2 cup cherry preserves or chopped maraschino cherries
For the red glaze:
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1/2 cup white chocolate chips
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1/4 cup heavy cream
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Red food coloring
For decorating:
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Pink buttercream (made from butter, powdered sugar, and food coloring)
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White and red sugar pearls
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Piping gel or icing for vintage designs
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1 maraschino cherry, for topping
Instructions
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Bake the sponge:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Beat eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add vanilla. Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt, folding gently. Pour into a dome-shaped or mixing bowl lined with parchment. Bake 25–30 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely. -
Make cherry cream filling:
Whip cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and almond extract. Fold in cherry preserves. -
Assemble the dome:
Hollow out the sponge slightly, creating a cavity inside. Fill with cherry cream, then place a cake slice or crumb layer on top to seal. Chill for 1 hour to firm up. -
Glaze the dome:
Melt white chocolate with cream, stir until smooth. Add red coloring. Pour over chilled dome cake. Let it set. -
Decorate:
Pipe pink buttercream around the base and top. Add pearls and piped white icing to create vintage scrolls and bows. Top with a maraschino cherry.
Notes
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Use a stainless steel bowl to bake the dome if you don’t have a dome mold.
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Chill well before glazing to prevent melting.
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The cherry filling can be swapped for raspberry or strawberry for a variation.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Cake
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American Retro
