Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Ripe, juicy cherries hangout inside of sweet, buttery cupcakes studded with mini chocolate chips and topped with fluffy vanilla bean buttercream. Cherry chocolate chip cupcakes are about to be your favorite summer treat.
Cherries have been my summer love this year. I’ve been keeping a bowl of freshly-washed cherries stocked in the fruit drawer at all times. Every time I open the fridge, I pluck a few of the sweet, red orbs from the bowl.
By the time I’m finished munching, the pads of my fingers are a deep shade of red.
The cherries have been extra sweet this year. So sweet, in fact, that I’ve traded my usual dark chocolate covered almonds for the candy-like fruit.
Cherries are also the perfect fruit for playing fun picnic games. I like to play a little game called “Spit the Pit.” Here’s how it’s played: You’ll need at least two people to play the game, so grab yourself a pit-spitting partner. Pop a cherry in your mouth and dig out the pit. Then, proceed to launch the pit from your mouth with every ounce of jaw power. The person who launches the pit the farthest wins.
Yes, it’s juvenile.
Yes, I’m thirty.
Yes, you’ll find me on the lawn spitting cherry pits with the rest of my weird siblings.
It’s summer fun for all ages.
I was able to spare a few cherries for these cherry chocolate chip cupcakes for the celebration of Sally’s upcoming marriage to her number one taste tester, Kevin. The theme for Sally’s shower is, of course, sprinkles–her favorite!
I couldn’t help but notice that cherries are bright red and heart-shaped–completely appropriate for the occasion. To match the red cherries, I added a healthy sprinkle of red and white jimmies.
You guys are going to love this recipe. Why? For starters, these cupcakes are going to rock your world. Second, the batter comes together in one bowl with one whisk. No mixer needed!
Excuse me while I interrupt this post to day dream about these cupcakes.
I used melted butter instead of softened butter for this recipe. The result is a super moist, tender cupcake. It’s the kind of cupcake that melts in your mouth as you chew. The use of melted butter makes for an easier batter. One bowl. Less dishes.
You know you like the sound of that.
I also added sour cream to the batter. Not only does the sour cream add moisture, it adds a slight tang to the batter.
Since these are cherry chocolate chip cupcakes, they wouldn’t be complete without loads of pitted cherries and mini chocolate chips. Yes, you have to pit cherries, but you only have to pit enough for half a cup.
May I suggest a cherry pitter? My life changed when I received my oxo cherry pitter. Life before my pitter was messy–well, messier than usual. I’m talking cherry-splattered walls and clothes, red stains on my cutting board, and cherry juice on the dog. It pains me just thinking about it.
Wait…it gets better. I added a swirl of fluffy vanilla bean buttercream to each and every cupcake. Let that sink in.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Moist, tender cupcakes loaded with pitted cherries and mini chocolate chips with a swirl of fluffy vanilla bean buttercream.
Ingredients:
Wet:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream (full fat)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
Dry:
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup (about 14) pitted cherries, chopped
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Vanilla Bean Buttercream:
1 and 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room-temperature
2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until combined. Whisk in the eggs one at a time until just incorporated. Whisk in sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Add the dry ingredients right on top of the wet ingredients. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chopped cherries and mini chocolate chips.
Fill each tin 2/3 full with batter. I find it easiest to use a 1/4-cup cookie scoop. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few crumbs are okay). Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Vanilla Bean Buttercream:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Turn the mixer down to low and gradually add the powdered sugar to the bowl, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl every few minutes. Once all the sugar has been added, turn the speed up to medium and beat for 2 minutes.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add in the vanilla bean paste. Give the mixture a few good turns. Turn the speed down to low and slowly drizzle in the heavy cream. Once all of the heavy cream has been added, turn the speed up to medium and whip for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and give it one more good whip.
Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag attached with a round #14 tip. Or, you can skip the piping bag and add your buttercream to the cupcakes with a cake spatula or butter knife. If you’re using a piping bag, pipe a swirl of frosting on top of each cupcake. Top with colorful sprinkles.
Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake from Lauren’s Latest
Funfetti Cookie Dough Balls from Averie Cooks
Cake Batter Funfetti Cookies from Diethood
Cake Batter Popcorn from I Heart Naptime
Confetti Cookie Milkshake from Bake Your Day
Cake Batter Ice Cream Balls from Oh, Sweet Basil
Frosted Sugar Cookies from Roxana’s Home Baking
Peanut Butter Filled Doughnuts from Crazy For Crust
Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cups from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Shirley Temple from Damn Delicious
Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies from Cooking Classy
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes from The Messy Baker
Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars from Handle the Heat
Vanilla Banana Muffins from Love From the Oven
Homemade Funfetti Yellow Birthday Cake from Ambitious Kitchen
Frosting Filled Deep Dish Cake Batter Cookies from The Domestic Rebel
48 Comments on “Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes”
Pingback: Homemade Yellow Birthday Cake | Ambitious Kitchen
Pingback: Cake Batter Funfetti Cookies Recipe | Diethood
Pingback: Peanut Butter Cream Doughnuts - Crazy for Crust
Pingback: Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies - Cooking Classy
Pingback: Frosting Filled Deep Dish Cake Batter Cookies {And a Surprise Bridal Shower for Sally!} | The Domestic Rebel
Pingback: Vanilla Banana Muffins - Love From The Oven
Well, these sound deeeeelightful! Also delightful? Power-spitting pits across the lawn. Or at someone you love.
Now I want to spit pits at other people. Maybe even random, street-strolling people ;)
Jennie, thank you so so so much for this amazing bridal shower this morning. I am so touched to have so many blogging friends like you! Those I look up to, am inspired by, and am just so thankful for. I love cherries and chocolate together (and of course the sprinkles on top!). And I love that you used cherries in the first place. Yes, they’re adorable little hearts. Perfect for the virtual occasion. Thank you again Jennie! xoxo
You are so very welcome, Sally. I’m so happy you enjoyed your foodie shower. I wish you a long and happy marriage. You’re going to make one gorgeous bride. I can’t wait to see pictures.
I thought it was just me, but the cherries do seem sweeter and altogether awesome this season! I love these cupcakes – you’re never too old for sprinkles and a delicious dessert that just makes you feel all yum about life. NEED cherries in my cupcake like yesterday!
They really are sweeter this year. I can’t get enough.
Pingback: Frosted sugar cookies recipe
Pingback: Cake batter popcorn » I Heart Nap Time
Love these cute cupcakes! Chocolate and cherry is one of my favorite combos!
Thanks, Shannon!
These cupcakes look amazing, Jennie! I love cherries and will miss them when the season is over. I wish we could have the real shower so I can have one of these beauties!
You just reminded me that I need to start pitting and freezing my cherries. Thanks, Anna!
These are SO beautiful!! What a great treat for summer AND for Sally!!!
Thanks, Kate!
Cherries do look like hearts don’t they! I’ve never thought about that before, but I totally love the similarity. These cupcakes looks incredible and I can’t wait to try them out myself…right after I get that cherry pitter :)
I love reading all the recipes for Sally’s bridal shower! She’s one of my favorite bloggers, and all of these sound perfect. I found a lot of amazing blogs through her (like this one!!).
Thank you so much, Alexis. Sally is a great gal and talented baker. I’m glad we were able to make her day special.
I lost my cherry pitter and needed it for a recipe the other day … my hands were ridiculous with the stains!! haha
These cupcakes look awesome – cherries and chocolate chips are such an awesome combo!
Cherries create the worst stains. So worth it, though. Thanks, Ashley!
Hi Jennie! I just stumbled upon your lovely cherry chocolate cupcakes you baked for Sally’s virtual bridal shower. They are beautiful! I’m a huge fan of Sally since I started blogging and I’m now happy to meet you through her bridal shower. Cheers from the French girl behind Del’s cooking twist ;)
Thanks so much, Del! It’s so very nice to meet you as well. Thanks for stopping by.
These cupcakes look amazing. Cherries, chocolate and almond?! That may be one of the best combinations. Now to get a cherry pitter that actually works, the one I have just smushes the cherries, not too useful!
I love my oxo cherry pitter. It’s a beast. Thanks so much Stacey.
These look awesome! I love how you are so reserved and dainty in your cherry eating. I plunk the whole bag on my desk and then 10 minutes later look down and there are a bazillon cherry pits in a bowl and I feel kind of sick…lol
These cupcakes look perfect for the few cherries that escape my straight from the bag binges!
It’s hard to resist the cherry. It’s such a sweet fruit. Thanks so much!
These are so pretty! Love the red with the teal background too. :)
Thanks, Dorothy.
I haven’t made ANYTHING with cherries yet this summer. Can you believe that?! I think I’ve only eaten them once or twice as well. What’s wrong with me?
I haven’t made anything with peaches. What’s wrong with me? We need to get our acts together ;)
Pingback: Confetti Cookie Milkshake | Bake Your Day
That sounds like a fun picnic game!
It gets pretty competitive :)
I’ve been loving fresh cherries this summer, too! I just can’t get enough of them!
They have been so good this year.
These are gorgeous cupcakes!
Thanks, Cassie!
How adorable are these?!! So perfect for Sally!
Thanks, Steph!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! That’s the only word that comes to mind, Jennie, because these photos and your cupcakes are too beautiful for words. What a lovely party to throw for Sally. And I agree with Movita – nothing ramps up the class factor than spitting cherry seeds long distance. Bonus points for hitting things like other people.
Nancy, you are always so sweet. I always look forward to your comments. I’m one classy gal :)
Pingback: Funfetti Sugar Cookie Cups with Vanilla Frosting - Crunchy Creamy Sweet
We used to have water mellon seed spitting contests. I need to find a spitting partner for cherry pits. I bet they go even farther :) Love the balance of flavors in these cupcakes. We just got cherries here so I’ll have to give them a try!
I love these cupcakes. They look so fun and delicious :) Can’t wait to try them