Delicious Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes Recipe

These chocolate cherry cupcakes are a perfect combination of rich chocolate and sweet cherries. The moist and fluffy chocolate cupcakes are filled with a luscious cherry filling and topped with a creamy chocolate cherry frosting. It's a delightful treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth. These cupcakes are perfect for birthdays, parties, or simply as a special homemade dessert. Make a batch of these delicious chocolate cherry cupcakes and enjoy the heavenly flavors!

Ingredients

• For the cupcakes:
• - 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• - 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• - 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• - 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• - 1 teaspoon salt
• - 2 large eggs
• - 1 cup whole milk
• - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• - 1 cup boiling water
• - 1 cup chopped cherries
• For the cherry filling:
• - 1 cup cherries
• - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• - 1/4 cup water
• - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the chocolate cherry frosting:
• - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• - 4 cups powdered sugar
• - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• - 1/4 cup whole milk
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 1/2 cup cherry preserves

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
4. Slowly add the boiling water while stirring the batter. The batter will be thin, but that's normal.
5. Fold in the chopped cherries into the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each liner about two-thirds full.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
8. While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the cherry filling. In a small saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and vanilla extract. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and the cherries soften. Remove from heat and let it cool.
9. Once the cupcakes are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. To make the chocolate cherry frosting, beat the softened butter in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the milk. Mix in the vanilla extract and cherry preserves until well combined and smooth.
11. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, use a knife or cupcake corer to remove a small portion from the center of each cupcake. Fill the cavity with the prepared cherry filling.
12. Pipe or spread the chocolate cherry frosting on top of each cupcake, covering the cherry filling.
13. Decorate the cupcakes with additional cherry halves, grated chocolate, or sprinkles, if desired.
14. Serve and enjoy these delightful chocolate cherry cupcakes!

Interesting Facts