Very Cherry Cupcakes

The sweet and sour taste of fresh cherries is bursting out of these Very Cherry Cupcakes. They're great for cherry lovers and can be used as a treat at any time.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cherry puree made from fresh or frozen cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cherries pitted
• 1/2 cup cherry juice
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar for frosting
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherries for garnish
• Red food coloring optional
• Cherry-flavored extract optional

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350F 175C and line a cupcake pan with paper liners

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt

Set aside

In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition

Stir in the vanilla extract

Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients

Mix until just combined

Fold in the cherry puree, chopped cherries, and cherry juice

If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring and cherry extract for more intense flavor and color

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean

Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely

Once the cupcakes are cool, make the cherry frosting by mixing the powdered sugar with a little cherry juice until you achieve the desired consistency

Frost the cupcakes

Garnish each cupcake with a maraschino cherry on top

Enjoy your Very Cherry Cupcakes!