CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE AND MARASCHINO CHERRY FILLING

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups flour,
• 1 cup Hershey’s dark cocoa,
  
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda,
• 1/2 tsp salt,
• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk,
• 1/4 c strong, cold coffee,
• 1 tsp vanilla extract,
  
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened,
• 1 1/2 cup sugar,
• 3 large eggs;
• 
  
• FILLING:
  
• 1 pk. cream cheese,softened,
• 1 1/2 cups powder sugar,
• 1 tsp vanilla extract;
• maraschino cherries;
• (whipped cream and strawberries - optional)

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Lightly spray the muffin pan (18 approx.)
  
• Combine the dry ingredients, and set aside.
• Combine the buttermilk, coffee, and vanilla and set aside.
• Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy and creamed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
• Add the flour and milk mixtures in alternating batches, beginning and ending with the flour. Combine cream cheese, powder sugar and vanilla extract; mix until smooth and set aside.
  
• Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan 1/2 way; top with 1 tsp. cream cheese mixture; add 1 maraschino cherry and press gently. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes.
  
• Cool completely.
  
• Dust with powder sugar or top with whipped cream and seasonal fresh fruit(optional)
  

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