Hey friends! I’ve been trying to post more recipes here and there from my kitchen. Today’s version is just in time for National Cherry Dessert Day! Woo hooo!!
I know, sounds totally made up… but even if it is, I mean, why the heck not have a delicious cherry cupcake all dolled up for the occasion?
For these, I used my favorite Sweetapolita Sprinkles, and a little bit of edible gold leaf to take them up a notch higher. I completely love how they turned out, and LOVED sharing them with neighbors just for fun. 🙂
I can’t wait for Memorial weekend. We have a fun BBQ planned with family, I have some yard work I can’t wait to further dive into, and of course, a few cakes planned (and macarons), that I’ve been trying my best to keep myself from making early.
Happy Friday, friends!

Cherry-Almond Vanilla Cupcakes

cupcake:
1/2 c butter
4 egg whites
2 c all-purpose flour
1 t baking powder 
1/2 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
3/4 c buttermilk
1/3 c maraschino cherry juice
1 1/2 c sugar
1 t vanilla
1/2 t almond extract
12 maraschino cherries, halved

frosting:
1/2 c butter, softened
4 c powdered sugar
3 T maraschino cherry juice
1/2 t almond extract
milk

For starters, make sure your butter and egg whites have reached room temperature (takes around 30 minutes). While they’re reaching room temperature, line your muffin tin with paper muffin cups. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a small bowl, also combine buttermilk and cherry juice. Set both aside.

Preheat your oven to 350 F. With your stand mixer, beat butter on medium/high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, vanilla, and almond extract – beat until combined. One at a time, add egg whites, beating well after adding each one. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to beaten mixture, beating on low speed after adding each until combined. 

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, about 2/3 full. Use a spoon to smooth batter. Press a cherry into batter in each cup.

Bake for 15-18 minutes – until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on wire racks after cooling cupcakes in muffin tin for about 5 minutes.

Make frosting: Fluff butter in mixer, add in maraschino cherry juice and almond extract. Slowly (about 1/2 cup at a time) add in powdered sugar. After all powdered sugar has been added, add milk to desired consistency. Using your pastry bag fitted with whatever tip you choose, pipe your frosting on your cupcakes. Top with cherries! This makes about 24 cupcakes.

Don’t forget to check out these other AMAZING CHERRY RECIPES for National Cherry Dessert Day!

Check out these 10+ Cherry Recipes!
(Pictured Above)
Cherry Ice Cream, Ashlee Marie
Black Forest Cupcakes, Life Made Simple
`Cherry Cheesecake Brownies, Creations by Kara 
Cherry Turnovers, The Baker Upstairs 
Cherry Almond Cupcakes, Baking with Blondie
Vegan No-Bake Cherry Fruit Crisp, Namely Marly
Rum-Soaked Cherry Preserves and Boozy Cherry Molasses, Foodie with Family 
Frozen Cherry Limeade Pie, Real Mom Kitchen 
Cherry Berry Dutch Oven Cobbler, Hey Grill Hey
Chocolate Cherry Brownie Pizza, Gather for Bread 
Slow Cooker 3 Ingredient Cherry Dump Cake, 365 Days of Slow Cooking 
Plus 12+ more crazy delicious cherry desserts!!
Sparkling Cherry Limeade, Damn Delicious
Fresh Cherry Cupcakes with White Chocolate Ganache, Baking with Blondie 
Cherry Limeade Cupcakes, Cooking Classy 
Sweet Cherry Pie, Smitten Kitchen 
Easy Skillet Cherry Crisp, Chelsea’s Messy Apron 
Cherry Pie Smoothie, Gimme Some Oven
Cherry Fritter Cake, My Baking Addiction
Dark Chocolate Cherry Cordial Cupcakes, Baking with Blondie 
Classic Cherry Pie, Brown Eyed Baker 
Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes, My Baking Addiction
Cherry Limeade Shortbread Cookies, Baking with Blondie 
Cherry Pie Bars, Cooking Classy