Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Base
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup fresh or maraschino cherries, chopped
- Red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray with paper liners. Gather and measure all ingredients for best texture and taste.
- Cream the butter and sugar: Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes, to create an airy cupcake base.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated, then mix in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor depth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour and baking powder for even leavening distribution.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add the dry flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients in alternating additions, stirring gently to maintain a soft batter without overmixing.
- Fold in cherries: Gently fold the chopped fresh or maraschino cherries into the batter, distributing them evenly without crushing.
- Fill cupcake liners and bake: Spoon the batter into cupcake liners about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and cut out hearts: After cooling completely, use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to gently cut out the centers of each cupcake, forming the signature heart cut out.
- Fill and frost cupcakes: Fill the heart-shaped holes with cherry jam or your favorite frosting, then frost the cupcakes with buttercream. Add a cherry or edible decoration on top for added charm.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter, eggs, and milk for smooth blending and batter consistency.
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure soft and fluffy cupcakes.
- Chill frosting slightly before applying to maintain neat edges around the heart cutouts.
- Fresh cherries provide natural sweetness and texture; maraschino cherries are a convenient alternative.
- Start checking cupcakes at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking as oven temperatures vary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour substitute)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Valentine's Day cupcakes, cherry cupcakes, heart cut out cupcakes, festive desserts, cherry heart cupcakes