Whip Up Magical Dreamy Cherry Cupcakes Recipe Today!

Sweet summer afternoons call for decadent cherry cupcakes that melt in your mouth with pure bliss.

These delectable treats blend rich buttercream with fresh, juicy cherries for an irresistible dessert.

Bursting with vibrant flavor, each cupcake promises a delightful surprise in every bite.

Soft, tender cake layers complement the bright cherry notes perfectly.

The subtle hint of vanilla creates a harmonious balance that elevates this classic dessert.

Whipping up these cupcakes takes minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of these heavenly cherry-infused delights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 265 kcal

Servings: 12

Cherry Cupcake Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cupcake, providing structure and soft texture with fine-milled wheat perfect for tender baking.
• Baking Powder: al rising agent that helps cupcakes become light and fluffy with consistent lift.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, creating deeper taste dimensions.

• Butter: Creamy ingredient that delivers rich flavor and tender crumb with smooth, silky texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, delicate cupcake surface with caramelizing properties.
• Eggs: Binding protein that adds structure, moisture, and helps ingredients blend smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic enhancer that adds depth and warmth to the entire dessert profile.
• Milk: Adds moisture and softens batter, creating smooth and consistent cupcake texture.

• Maraschino Cherries: Vibrant red gems that introduce sweet, tangy bursts of fruity excitement and beautiful color contrast within soft cupcake crumb.

Tools to Help You Swirl and Fill with Care

• Electric Mixer: Key tool for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs smoothly and creating fluffy batter.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients and mixing batter thoroughly.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Muffin Tin: Standard 12-cup tin for baking cupcakes evenly.
• Cupcake Liners: Needed to prevent sticking and create neat cupcakes.
• Spatula or Spoon: Helps gently fold cherries into batter without overmixing.
• Whisk: Great for evenly distributing dry ingredients.
• Toothpick: Used to check cupcake doneness by testing center.
• Wire Rack: Allows cupcakes to cool completely after baking.

Bake Cherry Cupcakes That Look Bakery-Ready

• Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350 degrees. Grab your muffin pan and line it with cute paper cups.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a bowl and whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together until they’re perfectly blended.

• Whip Butter and Sugar

Use an electric mixer to beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture. This is where the begins!

• Add Egg

Drop in eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Splash in vanilla for an extra flavor punch.

• Blend Everything Together

Slowly combine dry and wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix gently – you want a smooth, happy batter.

• Cherry Surprise

Fold chopped cherries into the batter with a light touch. No need to go crazy, just a gentle mix.

• Fill and Bake

Scoop batter into muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.

• Cool and Enjoy

Pull out your golden cupcakes and let them rest for a few minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and get ready to devour these cherry delights!

Tips for a Balanced Cherry Flavor Burst

• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making cupcakes soggy.
• Chop cherries into smaller pieces for more even distribution and a burst of cherry in every bite.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cupcake structure and texture.
• Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and use almond or oat milk instead of dairy milk for a lactose-free version.
• Top cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and garnish with a whole maraschino cherry or sprinkle of finely chopped cherries for extra visual appeal and flavor intensity.

Serve Cupcakes That Make Any Event Sweeter

• Sweet Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange these cherry cupcakes on a beautiful tiered cake stand for a delightful breakfast or brunch gathering with friends and family.
• Dessert Party Platter: Create a colorful dessert spread by mixing these cherry cupcakes with other bite-sized treats like chocolate truffles and mini fruit tarts.
• Coffee Companion: Serve warm cupcakes alongside a steaming cappuccino or afternoon tea, creating a perfect sweet moment for relaxation and indulgence.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Package individual cupcakes in clear gift boxes with festive ribbons, making them a charming homemade present for birthdays or special celebrations.

Store These for Grab-and-Go Dessert Moments

• Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain their soft texture.
• If topped with cream-based frosting, refrigerate cupcakes and consume within 2-3 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their original softness.
• Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They can stay frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before enjoying.
• Separate cupcakes with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking. This method keeps each treat looking pristine and prevents them from clumping together during storage.

FAQs

• What makes these cherries special in the cupcake recipe?

Maraschino cherries add a sweet, vibrant flavor and beautiful pink color to the cupcakes, creating a unique and delightful dessert that’s different from traditional vanilla cupcakes.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries can be used, but they might add extra moisture to the batter. If using fresh cherries, pat them dry and reduce their liquid content to maintain the cupcake’s ideal texture.

• How do I know when the cupcakes are perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. If it comes out clean without any wet batter, the cupcakes are done. They should also have a light golden color on top and spring back when lightly touched.

• Why is it important to cream butter and sugar thoroughly?

Creaming butter and sugar incorporates air into the batter, which helps create a light, fluffy texture in the cupcakes. Beating for 2-3 minutes ensures the mixture becomes pale and volume increases significantly.

Dreamy Cherry Cupcakes Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful homemade cherry cupcakes combine sweet fruit with classic bakery magic. Moist cake layers topped with creamy frosting create a simple dessert perfect for summer gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups (190 g / 6.7 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) milk
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) maraschino cherry juice
• ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) chopped maraschino cherries
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) maraschino cherry juice
• Maraschino cherries (for garnish)
• 1 cup (230 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480 g / 16.9 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) maraschino cherry juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to ensure uniform distribution of leavening agents.
3. Butter Transformation: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes voluminous and pale, creating a light, airy base.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend eggs one at a time, ensuring complete incorporation, then fold in vanilla extract to create a smooth, uniform mixture.
5. Batter Development: Gently alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients, maintaining the batter’s delicate texture with minimal mixing.
6. Cherry Infusion: Carefully fold chopped maraschino cherries throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution without compromising the batter’s structure.
7. Baking Preparation: Distribute batter into cupcake liners, filling each two-thirds full to allow optimal rising during baking.
8. Baking and Testing: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, watching for golden edges and verifying doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
9. Cooling Process: Allow cupcakes to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before serving.

Notes

• Prevent Cherry Sinking: Toss chopped cherries in a light dusting of flour before folding into batter to prevent them from dropping to the bottom of the cupcakes during baking.
• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measuring cups and level dry ingredients to ensure consistent texture and rise in your cupcakes.
• Check Moisture Balance: If using maraschino cherries, drain them thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from affecting the batter’s consistency and baking performance.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter, eggs, and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more evenly integrated batter that results in lighter, fluffier cupcakes.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg