OK, it's about time...

...for me to make good on the whole cupcake side of this blog!! And with it being Valentine's Day yesterday, you better believe there was some baking going on it my kitchen! As I am blogging this, I'm am munching away on one of my favorite cupcakes: Chocolate Cherry Amaretto cupcakes. Oooh, yeah.


You'll notice, there is a tiny hand standing by to steal one away as soon as I'm done photographing these!! :)

These are pretty simple to make, especially because I use a cake mix base, so no flour, sugar, yada yada. What really makes these is the made-from-scratch frosting. Wanna make some?

Recipe makes 24 cupcakes and 2 cups frosting.
cupcake:
1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (I use Betty Crocker), mixed as directed but with the following substitutions and additions:
For the water, substitute 3/4 water and 1/2 cup amaretto liquor.
Gently fold in 1/2 cup finely chopped cherries.
Mix and bake as directed on box.

frosting:
In a heat proof mixing bowl, mix 3 egg whites at room temperature and a 3/4 cup granulated sugar and heat over simmering water. Water should NOT touch bottom of mixing bowl. Whisk constantly (to keep the egg from scrambling) until sugar is dissolved and mixture is very warm to the touch (about 160 F on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat and mix with an electric mixer on high until stiff peeks form.
Mix in 1 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature, adding alittle at a time. Throw in a pinch of salt. Add in 1/4 cup finely chopped cherries with as much of the juices as possible squeezed out, and 1 tsp of almond extract and continue mixing until frosting it is creamy.

Frost and enjoy!