Oh, the magic of cherries! They’re like little rubies of joy that burst with sweetness and a hint of tartness—perfect for any dessert, but especially these muffins. Picture this:
a lazy Sunday morning, a warm kitchen filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods, and a plate of these irresistible glazed cherry muffins waiting to be devoured. It’s a moment of pure bliss, almost like finding a favorite old song on a random playlist.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, milk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract until the ingredients are well combined.
- Add the flour and baking powder to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries and cherry juice into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup.
- Bake the muffins for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned, then let them cool completely.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, and cherry juice until smooth, adjusting consistency as desired by adding more cherry juice or powdered sugar.
- Drizzle about 2 teaspoons of the glaze over each cooled muffin, then place a whole cherry on top and let the glaze set before serving.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 (16-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, chopped (reserve juice for later)
- 2 tablespoons reserved cherry juice
- Cooking spray
- 12 whole maraschino cherries (for topping)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 1/2 tablespoons reserved cherry juice
Nutritional Values
Calories: 2700kcal | Carbohydrates: 420g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 120g | Saturated Fat: 72g | Cholesterol: 204mg | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 1392mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 324g | Vitamin A: 960IU | Calcium: 792mg | Iron: 14.4mg
FAQ
- Can I freeze cherry muffins?
- You can indeed freeze cherry muffins. However, it’s best to freeze them before adding the glaze. Once you’re ready to enjoy them, simply defrost and add the glaze right before serving.
- How do you make cherry muffins from scratch?
- To make cherry muffins, start with a basic batter of flour, sugar, eggs, and oil. Fold in chopped maraschino cherries and some of their juice for the pink color. Spoon the batter into a muffin tin and bake until golden. You can top the muffins with a cherry glaze made from butter, powdered sugar, and cherry juice for an added touch.
- What ingredients are needed for the cherry glaze?
- The glaze is made by whisking together powdered sugar, melted butter, and reserved cherry juice until smooth. You can adjust the thickness by adding more cherry juice for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker one.
- What is the best way to serve cherry muffins?
- Cherry muffins can be served plain or with a cherry glaze. For a festive touch, add a whole cherry on top and consider adding sprinkles for a party-ready treat.
- Are there any variations to the cherry muffins recipe?
- While the basic recipe is delicious on its own, you can get creative by incorporating additional toppings like sprinkles for a fun twist, especially for celebrations or children’s parties.
Tips
- When making the glaze, adjust its thickness to your preference by adding extra cherry juice for a thinner consistency or more powdered sugar to make it thicker.
- If you plan to freeze the muffins, wait to add the glaze until after they’ve been defrosted. This ensures the glaze stays fresh and visually appealing.
- For an extra festive touch, consider adding sprinkles on top of the glazed muffins. This can make them a delightful surprise at birthday parties or celebrations.
- Ensure the muffins are completely cooled before applying the glaze. This will help the glaze set properly and prevent it from becoming runny.
Equipment
- Muffin Tin – A 12-cup muffin tin is needed for baking the muffins.
- Whisk – Useful for combining ingredients smoothly.
- Mixing Bowls – A set of mixing bowls would be helpful for preparing different components of the recipe.
- Cooling Rack – To cool the muffins completely before adding the glaze.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – Essential for accurately measuring ingredients like flour, sugar, and liquids.
