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🍒🧁 These Cherry Cordial Cupcakes are rich, chocolatey, and topped with cherry buttercream and a classic candy finish.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The rich chocolate base pairs perfectly with cherry buttercream for classic cherry chocolate cupcakes flavor.
- Each cupcake is topped with a candy for an easy but eye-catching finish.
- These cupcakes are great for holidays, parties, or when you want something a little nostalgic.
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- granulated sugar – no substitution recommended
- all-purpose flour – substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed
- baking cocoa powder – natural or Dutch-processed, both work
- baking powder – no substitution recommended
- baking soda – no substitution recommended
- salt – no substitution recommended
- eggs – room temperature works best
- milk – substitute with almond or oat milk if needed
- vegetable oil – substitute canola oil or melted butter
- vanilla extract – no substitution recommended
- boiling water or hot coffee – coffee deepens the chocolate flavor
- cherry buttercream frosting – homemade or store-bought
- cherry cordial candies – chocolate-covered cherries work similarly
✨ Variations
- Add a cherry cordial to the center of each cupcake before baking.
- Add a small spoonful of cherry preserves to the center of each cupcake before baking.
- Skip the candy topper and drizzle with chocolate ganache instead.
🔥 Tips
- Hot coffee, rather than water, enhances the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee.
- Fill cupcake liners only two-thirds full to avoid overflow.
- This recipe is a great option if you are brainstorming new cupcake flavor ideas.
❓ FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the cupcakes a day in advance and frost them the day you plan to serve.
Do I need cherry buttercream specifically?
Cherry buttercream works best, but any cherry-flavored frosting pairs well with this cherry cupcakes recipe.
Can I use a different topping?
Chocolate-covered cherries or chocolate hearts work well if cherry cordials are unavailable. Or skip the topping if you prefer.
Can I make mini cupcakes instead?
Yes. Bake mini cupcakes for 10-12 minutes and check for doneness with a toothpick.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
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Cherry Cordial Cupcakes
Cherry Cordial Cupcakes are rich chocolate cupcakes topped with cherry buttercream and a classic cherry cordial candy.
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Equipment
- mixing bowl (large)
- rubber spatula
- piping bags (optional)
- piping tip (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water or hot coffee
- Cherry Buttercream Frosting, prepared
- 24 cherry cordial candies
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line muffin pans with paper liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.2 cups granulated sugar, 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup cocoa powder, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, 1½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.2 large eggs, 1 cup milk, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Stir in the boiling water or hot coffee. The batter will be thin.1 cup boiling water or hot coffee
- Fill the cupcake liners about ⅔ full.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Spread or pipe Cherry Buttercream Frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.Cherry Buttercream Frosting
- Top each cupcake with one cherry cordial candy.24 cherry cordial candies
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days if using a buttercream that contains dairy.
♨️ REHEATING
- Let refrigerated cupcakes sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.
- Avoid microwaving once frosted.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months.
- Thaw completely, then frost and decorate before serving.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter.
- Do not overfill the liners to prevent overflow.
- Add the cherry cordial just before serving for the best texture.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Air fryer: Cook cupcakes at 320°F for 12-15 minutes using silicone liners or an air fryer-safe cupcake pan. Cool completely before frosting.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Leftover cupcakes can be crumbled and used as layers in a dessert parfait.
📝 NOTES
- Hot coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without adding a coffee taste.
- Pipe frosting high enough so the cherry cordial sits securely on top.
- The nutritional information provided is for the cupcakes with frosting, excluding the candy topping.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cupcake, Calories: 304kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 2.1g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.33g, Cholesterol: 37mg, Sodium: 205mg, Potassium: 79mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 37g, Vitamin A: 275IU, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 1.03mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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