If you're a fan of chocolate and cherries, then these cupcakes — with homemade cherry compote in both the batter and frosting — are for you!
Preparation Time
40 mins
Cooking Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Calories
338 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Remove compote from heat and cool completely. Measure out 1 cup for the cupcake batter. Reserve remaining compote, about 6 tablespoons, for the frosting.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line or grease two standard 12-cup muffin tins.
Step 3
Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Step 4
Beat brown sugar, butter, and white sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Mix in 1/3 of the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour in 1/2 of the sour cream and cooled coffee; mix until just combined.
Step 5
Continue alternating additions of the flour mixture with sour cream and coffee, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, until batter is smooth. Do not overmix. Gently fold in 1 cup cherry compote. Fill each prepared muffin cup 2/3 full of batter.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven until the tops of the cupcakes spring back lightly when touched, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool in the tins for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7
Prepare cherry buttercream while the cupcakes are cooling. Beat butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and salt. Add 2 tablespoons of cherry compote and beat on medium-high speed until thoroughly combined. Repeat twice more with remaining cherry compote, beating well after each addition. Add heavy cream and beat until frosting is fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 8
Spread or pipe frosting over the cooled cupcakes.
Step 9
Bring cherries, sugar, and lemon juice to a simmer in a medium pot over medium-low heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. Remove 2 tablespoons of cherry juice from the pot and place in a small bowl; stir in cornstarch until thoroughly combined. Add cornstarch mixture to the pot and simmer until thickened and slightly reduced, about 5 minutes more.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
4 cups powdered sugar, or as needed
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 cup white sugar
0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
2.5 cups frozen tart cherries, pitted
0.5 cup strongly brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature
