Friday, March 2, 2012

Cherry-Almond Vanilla Cupcakes with Maraschino Cherry Icing


Despite the fact it's been one of the mildest winters I can ever remember, the dreary grey has gotten to me.  It's been rainy, windy, chilly....all gloom all the time.  By the beginning of March, who isn't ready for spring?!  To help cure what ails me, I prescribed myself a large dose of pink in cupcake form to brighten my mood.  What do you know?  It's actually working, and just in time because its' raining again....ugh.

Let's focus on the happy stuff....CUPCAKES!  


These Cherry-Almond Vanilla Cupcakes with Maraschino Cherry Icing are DE-LICIOUS!  I was happy with everything about this cake - it was nicely between light and dense, the right amount of sweet, nice almond flavoring, AND a cherry surprise inside!

Cherry-Almond Vanilla Cupcakes
adapted slightly from Better Homes and Gardens

1/2 cup butter, softened
4 egg whites, at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
24 maraschino cherries, halved

*To make sour milk use 2 teaspoon of lemon juice poured into a glass measuring cup.  Add enough milk to reach 3/4  of a cup.  Stir, let sit for 5 minutes before using.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place liners in a cupcake pan.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.  Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer set between medium and high for 30 seconds.
  • Add sugar, vanilla, and almond extract and beat until combined.
  • Add egg whites, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Alternately, add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beating on low speed until just combined (do not over mix).
  • Fill a prepared cupcake pan liners 2/3 high with cake batter.
  • Press 2 halves of cherries half into the middle of each cupcake.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • After cooling in pan for 15 minutes, remove cupcakes from pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.
  • Pipe or use an offset spatula to ice with Cherry-Almond Butter Frosting
Cherry-Almond Butter Frosting

2 sticks butter, room temperature
4 cups confectioners sugar
3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
1/2 teaspoon almond extract


In large mixing bowl, beat butter on high speed until fluffy.  Add three cups of sugar, one at a time until combined.  Add cherry juice and almond extract, along with last cup of sugar.   Beat until smooth.  Add more cherry juice, one teaspoon at a time, to reach desired consistency of frosting.


Mmmm....like I said, these are good.  If you're suffering from winter gloom, I recommend these happy looking and yummy tasting treats.  Imagine you are eating one under the sun on the beach watching the waves roll in and out.  Hang in there, summer IS coming!! 



28 comments:

  1. Your cupcakes looks fabulous !
    Pink is my favorite color they caught my eye in an instant
    I'd really like to taste one or two (ok make it 2)
    Wonderful job

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    1. I love pink, too, Winnie!! I would bake everything pink if I could! ;) These are really delicious, if you have an occasion to make them I recommend it! Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you again, soon!

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  2. Those are stunning! Gorgeous photos. I just want to lick my screen!

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    1. Thank you, Dorothy! I think it's the cherry...it really looks tempting. :) Thank you so much for the compliment!!

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  3. Oh wow. Beautiful and they look delicious! I'm planning a mother/daughter tea in May and I think these just got added to the menu. I came over from Flour Me WIth Love's Mix It Up Monday.

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    1. Thanks, Camille! These would be sooo perfect for a mother/daughter tea!! How delicious one would taste with a cup of tea. :) Thanks for visiting Life Is Sweets...please come back soon!

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  4. well if they taste as good as they look we are in for a treat! I hate this weather too, either be snowy and bright or sunny, no more of this gloomy stuff.

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    1. I don't know if things have improved weather wise for you, but it's been sunny here...just need the temperatures to rise! At least it's spring ahead today for extra evening daylight. :) I hope you enjoy these cupcakes. Thank you for stopping by - hope to see you again soon!!

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  5. Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing ;)
    Blessings,
    Krista
    www.thehomemaderenegade.com

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    1. Thanks, Krista! I just totally pinned your Tiramisu...my husband's favorite dessert. Can't wait to try your recipe!! Thanks for visiting - please come back soon!

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  6. Those are beautiful! Thank you for sharing at Must Try Monday. These will be so fun for spring!

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    1. Thank you, Carrie! Thanks, also, for hosting such a great party! I am so ready for spring, I hope it gets here soon. :)

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  7. These look fabulous and I bet they taste delicious! Thank you so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday and I hope you'll stop back soon :)

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    1. Hi, Lisa! Thanks for hosting your party each week! I will definitely be back. :) Have a great week!

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  8. Deb, I light up every time I see these perky pink cupcakes in link parties! They look so gorgeous! Great work!

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    1. Thank you so much, Sarah! My eyes are always drawn to pink, too!! Thanks for the compliment, and for stopping by Life Is Sweets. Hope to see you back soon!

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  9. Looks so pretty…wish I could taste some now...Thanks a lot for linking with Midweek Fiesta…

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    1. I wish I could share them with you, Amy! My pleasure to link up, thanks for hosting each Wednesday! Have a great week. :)

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  10. These look amazing! Thank You!

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    1. Awww....thank you, Audrey! You're welcome! I hope you give them a try and love them. :) Thank you for visiting my blog - come back soon!

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  11. I think a big bright pink cupcake would definitely help any mood!!! These look so delicious and I love the hidden cherries inside!! Thank you so much for sharing on Trick or Treat Tuesday!!

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    1. Thanks, Jocelyn! The cherries inside are my favorite part - better, even, than the icing!! Thanks for featuring these cupcakes. :) Have a GREAT week!

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  12. How many cupcakes does this recipe make? The look so good, I am making them for Easter & can't wait to try them. Thanks

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  13. This recipe looks delicious. I am just concerned about the amount of butter in the frosting. 2 sticks seems like a lot!! I wonder if their is some sort of healthier alternative?

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  15. I made these for a taste taste at work and people loved them. Only negative feed back was that they were a bit dense. I am going to scale back on the flour a bit next time. Thank you =)

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  16. So beautyful and delicious! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Do you put your frosting in a bag? and if so, what size tip do you use?

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