BLACK FOREST CUPCAKES
Chocolate Cupcakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
¼ cup hot water
1 tsp vanilla extract
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Cherry Filling
1 cup chopped cherries (fresh or canned)
2 tbsp cherry juice or water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp water
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Whipped Cream Frosting
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
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Toppings
Chocolate ganache or syrup (for drizzle)
Maraschino cherries or fresh cherries with stem
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INSTRUCTIONS
1. Make the Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, mix sugar, oil, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and hot water.
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Divide batter evenly into liners.
Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
2. Prepare Cherry Filling:
In a saucepan, combine cherries, juice/water, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Let cool.
3. Core and Fill:
Cut a small center from each cupcake and fill with cooled cherry mixture.
4. Make Whipped Cream:
Beat cold cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
5. Decorate:
Pipe whipped cream high on each cupcake. Drizzle with chocolate syrup.
Top each with a cherry.