Festive Cherry Chocolate Delight Muffins
Indulge in the holiday spirit with these Festive Cherry Chocolate Delight Muffins! Bursting with rich chocolate flavor and the sweet-tart essence of maraschino cherries, these mini muffins are perfect for sharing at Christmas gatherings or enjoying with a cup of coffee. With a creamy, decadent filling and a delightful glaze, they are sure to impress your family and friends this holiday season. Bake a batch of these cheerful treats and spread the joy of the holidays!
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter or margarine
1/4 cup (softened)
cream cheese
3 ounces (softened)
all-purpose flour
3/4 cup
confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup
unsweetened baking cocoa
2 tablespoons
vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon
granulated sugar
2/3 cup
unsweetened baking cocoa
1/3 cup
maraschino cherries
1/4 cup (finely chopped and well drained)
butter or margarine
2 tablespoons (softened)
egg
1
confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup
maraschino juice
1-2 teaspoons (red or green)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup of softened butter and the cream cheese. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat until creamy and well blended, or mix by hand until fully combined.
2
In the same bowl, mix in the all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons of unsweetened baking cocoa, and the vanilla extract. Continue to mix until a soft dough forms.
3
If desired, line each of the 24 mini muffin cups with mini foil or paper baking cups. If not using cups, grease the muffin pan with butter.
4
Divide the dough into 24 equal portions. Press each portion gently into the bottom and up the sides of each muffin cup, creating a small crust.
5
In a separate small bowl, mix together the filling ingredients: maraschino cherries, 2 tablespoons of softened butter, 1 egg, 2/3 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/3 cup of unsweetened baking cocoa until well combined.
6
Spoon approximately 2 teaspoons of the cherry chocolate filling into each muffin cup, over the crust.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 16-19 minutes, or until the filling springs back slightly when touched. Be careful not to overbake!
8
Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 1 hour. Use a small knife to gently loosen the edges, and then remove the muffins from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
9
For the glaze, mix 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar with 1 to 2 teaspoons of maraschino cherry juice in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
10
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins and sprinkle with additional chopped cherries for a festive touch. Enjoy your holiday treats!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Cherry Chocolate Delight Muffins?
These are rich, chocolate-flavored mini muffins filled with a sweet-tart maraschino cherry mixture, topped with a cherry-infused glaze.
How many muffins does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 24 mini muffins.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What ingredients are needed for the muffin crust?
The crust is made from butter, cream cheese, all-purpose flour, confectioners' sugar, unsweetened baking cocoa, and vanilla extract.
How do I prepare the maraschino cherries?
The cherries should be finely chopped and well-drained before being added to the filling.
What are the filling ingredients?
The filling consists of maraschino cherries, softened butter, one egg, granulated sugar, and unsweetened baking cocoa.
How much filling should I put in each muffin cup?
Spoon approximately 2 teaspoons of the cherry chocolate filling into each muffin cup over the crust.
How long should these muffins bake?
Bake the muffins for 16 to 19 minutes.
How can I tell if the muffins are finished baking?
The muffins are done when the filling springs back slightly when touched.
How long should the muffins cool in the pan?
Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 1 hour before removing them.
What is the glaze made of?
The glaze is a mixture of 1/2 cup of confectioners' sugar and 1 to 2 teaspoons of maraschino cherry juice.
Can I use green maraschino cherry juice for the glaze?
Yes, the recipe suggests using either red or green maraschino juice for the glaze.
Should I use liners for the mini muffin pan?
You can use mini foil or paper baking cups, or simply grease the muffin pan with butter if you prefer not to use liners.
How do I form the muffin crust?
Divide the dough into 24 portions and press each portion gently into the bottom and up the sides of each muffin cup.
What is the best way to remove the muffins from the pan?
Use a small knife to gently loosen the edges after they have cooled for an hour, then move them to a wire rack.
Is an electric mixer required?
An electric mixer can be used on medium speed for the dough, but you can also mix by hand until fully combined.
Can I substitute margarine for butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either butter or margarine.
What type of cocoa should I use?
Use unsweetened baking cocoa for both the crust and the filling.
What consistency should the butter and cream cheese be?
Both the butter and cream cheese should be softened for easier mixing.
How do I decorate the muffins?
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins and sprinkle with additional chopped cherries.
What is the total number of ingredients used?
There are 13 ingredients in this recipe.
Are these muffins suitable for holiday parties?
Yes, they are specifically described as festive treats perfect for Christmas gatherings.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
How much granulated sugar is needed?
The filling requires 2/3 cup of granulated sugar.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe makes 24 individual mini muffins.
Should I drain the cherries before chopping?
The cherries should be well drained after being finely chopped.
Can I make the glaze thicker?
You can adjust the thickness by starting with 1 teaspoon of juice and adding more until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
What category does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a dessert or holiday treat.
Is there a risk of overbaking?
Yes, the instructions warn to be careful not to overbake to maintain the proper texture.
What is the final texture of the muffins?
They feature a soft dough crust with a creamy, decadent chocolate-cherry filling.