White Cake with Maraschino Cherry Frosting

 Yummy!   You can add some maraschino cherry juice to the cake batter if you so choose for a different taste.

WHITE CAKE WITH MARASCHINO CHERRY FROSTING

(serves 12-16)

Cake Ingredients:

*6 tablespoons butter, softened

*2/3 cup vegetable oil

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon almond extract

*2  2/3 cups cake flour (can use all-purpose)

*1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding

*1 tablespoon baking powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 cup whole milk, room temperature 

*6 large egg whites, room temperature 

Frosting Ingredients:

*1 cup butter, room temperature 

*1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice, room temperature 

*4 cups powdered sugar

*1 tablespoon cornstarch

*8 maraschino cherries, diced small

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Grease and lightly dust flour in a 9x13 inch baking pan.

~In a large mixing bowl, beat 6 tablespoons softened butter until creamy.

~Stir in 2/3 cup vegetable oil and 2 cups granulated sugar into butter until well incorporated and creamy (scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary).

~Sitr in 1 teaspoon almond extract.

~In a another bowl, sift together 2 2/3 cups cake flour, 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.

~Measure 1 cup whole milk.

~Gradually alternate between add ing the flour mixture and milk into the butter mixture (starting and ending with the flour and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed) on medium speed.

~In another mixing bowl, whisk 6 large egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form.

~Gently fold in your stiff egg whites into the cake batter (do not over mix).

~Pour cake batter into prepared pan.

~Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean.

~Remove cake from oven and allow to cool.

Frosting Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, on medium speed, cream 1 cup softened butter and 1/4 cup room temperature maraschino cherry juice until well combined (scraping the sides of the bowl often).

~Add in 4 cups powdered sugar and mix on low speed until sugar is mostly mixed in.

~Increase the speed and mix for 1 minute or until the frosting is light and fluffy (scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed).

~Stir in 1 tablespoon cornstarch until well incorporated.

~Fold in 8 chopped maraschino cherries.

~Spread on cooled cake.