Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 18 muffin cups or line with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the sour cream. Fold in cherries and chocolate chips.
4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
5. To make the frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until desired consistency is reached. Frost cupcakes when cooled.

Interesting Facts

• Cupcakes date back to 1796 when an American cookbook called American Cookery was published.
• The first chocolate cake recipe was published in 1764.
• Cherries have been enjoyed since ancient times, with the Greeks and Romans eating them as early as 300 B.C.