Cherry Cupcakes

Cherry cupcakes made with maraschino cherries and white chocolate buttercream are exceptionally smart, easy to make and appealing to all ages. Let’s be honest, cupcakes with a cherry on the top are always hard to resist.

This recipe was first published in July 2017 and updated in May 2023.

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These cherry cupcakes come speckled with finely chopped maraschino cherries within the sponge, along with a lip-smacking swirl of buttercream on the top.

I was almost tempted to use vanilla buttercream, but in the end, I couldn’t resist taking that extravagant plunge and opting for a white chocolate version instead. White chocolate and cherries seem to work in harmony.

To finish things off, I’ve garnished the cherry cupcakes with a little grated chocolate and crowned each one with a whole maraschino cherry. Sigh… oh how I can sigh at the sight of these.

Why you’ll love these maraschino cherry cupcakes

• Simple – despite their smart appearance, these maraschino cherry cupcakes are very quick and easy to make.
• Novice bakers will enjoy the simplicity of this impressive-looking bake as it’s a simple sponge cake recipe with cherries added in.
• Flavour – the batter includes vanilla extract, so there’s a great flavour to these little cakes.
• Texture – each cupcake has a lovely soft and fluffy texture.
• Appearance – they will appeal to children and adults alike. Let’s be honest, who can really resist cupcakes with a cherry on the top?
• Versatile – cherry cupcakes are perfect for any celebration or just for enjoying because you feel like baking a treat.

If you’re looking for more pretty cupcakes, then try my Persian Love cupcakes. They are the epitome of prettiness and delicately delicious too. And don’t miss my sticky toffee pudding cupcakes for full-on sweetness They have always been popular with readers.

What are maraschino cherries?

Also known as cocktail cherries, the maraschino cherry is distinct in appearance, being a vibrant bright red colour. They are sold in jars and are readily available in large supermarkets or online. They have usually had the stone removed and come either with or without their stalks still attached.

Are they real cherries?

Maraschino cherries are real cherries that have been preserved, bleached, dyed and sweetened. They are typically made from sweet cherries rather than sour cherries.

What’s the difference between a maraschino cherry and glace cherry?

Glace cherries are fresh cherries that have been cooked in sugar syrup until it reduces sufficiently to turn them into candied cherries. They are sweet and sticky and, although typically red, they are sometimes dyed green or yellow. Glace cherries are frequently used in fruit cakes, Christmas puddings or as a garnish in general baking, such as biscuits.

Maraschino cherries are not candied. Instead, they are preserved in sugar syrup. They tend to be softer in texture.

Uses for maraschino cherries

Given their alternative name, it’s little surprise that maraschino cherries are often used as a cocktail garnish. Popular cocktails using maraschino cherries as a garnish include the Snowball, the Manhattan, the Amaretto sour and the Tequila Sunrise.

These cherries are, however, also highly suited to dressing up ice cream sundaes and milkshakes. And, as this recipe proves, they come in handy when baking too. Although it’s fun to make cupcakes with a cherry on the top, they can be used in biscuits, brownies and in fruit cakes too.

Ingredients notes

Maraschino cherries: these are used within the cake batter itself and as a garnish. For the best appearance use stemmed maraschino cherries. Glace cherries could be used as a substitute, but fresh cherries should not be used.

Butter or baking margarine: it’s fine to use butter or baking margarine for the cake batter (butter gives a richer flavour but margarine gives a lighter, fluffier texture). However, for the buttercream, the clue is in the name. Only proper butter will do.

Flour: this recipe has been developed using plain flour (all-purpose) and baking powder. If you would like to use self-raising flour instead, leave out the baking powder.

Vanilla extract: this addition really lifts the overall flavour of these maraschino cherry cupcakes. Do not leave it out.

White chocolate: this ingredient is used to flavour the buttercream and as part of the garnish. Use one that you know melts well without seizing up and turning grainy. I cannot recommend Callebaut enough.

How to make cherry cupcakes

1. Take 25 Maraschino cherries out of a jar and allow them to drain on kitchen paper.
2. Beat the butter and caster sugar together until light & fluffy.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well.
4. Add the vanilla extract and milk then beat again.
5. Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl and gently stir in, using a large metal spoon until thoroughly combined.

6. Reserve 10 of the cherries for decoration and chop each remaining cherry into 16 pieces. Fold the cut cherries through the cake batter.
7. Divide the batter between 9-10 cupcake cases, filling each case around ⅔ full.
8. Bake for approximately 22 minutes. Poke a cocktail stick into the centre – if it comes out clean then they are done.
9. Once out of the oven remove from the baking tin and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

10. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate (either in the microwave or over a Bain Marie). Stir until smooth then set aside to cool to room temperature.
11. Put the butter into a medium bowl and beat until smooth and soft.
12. Sieve in the icing sugar a tablespoon at a time and beat well between each addition.
13. Once all of the icing sugar has been mixed in, beat in the vanilla extract.
14. When the chocolate has come to room temperature beat it into the buttercream until thoroughly combined.
15. Either pipe or spread the buttercream on top of the cupcakes, sprinkle with grated white chocolate and top each cupcake with a cherry.
16. Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Expert tips

• For the very best results, always use digital kitchen scales and the gram measurement system. It’s the most accurate technique for weighing ingredients.
• Always ensure that your oven is fully pre-heated before baking begins. Do not put the cakes into the oven to bake when it is not hot enough and do not leave the batter sitting around whilst the oven heats up. The adverse effect either of these mistakes will have on the final bake is huge.
• Be sure to chop the cherries finely so that they are well distributed throughout the batter. They are also less likely to sink of they are cut small.
• Ensure that the white chocolate has cooled to room temperature before mixing it into the buttercream. If it is too warm then it will melt the butter and the frosting will be too loose to pipe or spread.
• Also make sure that the cakes have cooled completely before decorating to prevent the buttercream from melting on top of each cupcake.

Frequently asked questions

Cherry cupcake variations

• Go pink – embrace your inner love for all things pink by including a dab of pink food colouring in the cake batter.
• Hide a cherry – once the batter has been put into the paper cases press a whole maraschino cherry (stem removed) into the centre of each one before baking them.
• Chocolate buttercream – replace the white chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate (50%-60% cocoa solids).
• Chocolate cherry cupcakes – cherries and chocolate are natural together, so replace 30g of the flour with cocoa powder. Top with either chocolate or white chocolate buttercream.
• Add sprinkles – replace the grated white chocolate with colourful sprinkles for an additional burst of colour and fun.

More cupcakes to enjoy

If you tried this cherry cupcakes recipe please give it a rating below. Don’t forget to share your creations with me on Instagram too – I love to hear how you’ve got along. Use #littlesugarsnaps and tag me @jane_littlesugarsnaps.

📖 Recipe