If you love the creamy richness of cheesecake and the sweetness of cherries, you’re in for a treat with cherry cheesecake cupcakes with fresh cherries. These delightful cupcakes combine a buttery graham cracker base, moist cake, tangy cream cheese frosting, and a luscious cherry filling. They’re perfect for celebrations, afternoon tea, or anytime you want to indulge in a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Why You’ll Love Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Cherry cheesecake cupcakes bring together the best of both worlds—cheesecake and cupcakes. Here’s why they’ll become your new favorite dessert:

• Bursting with flavor: The sweet and tart cherry filling adds a refreshing touch to each bite.
• Textural delight: The graham cracker crust, soft cupcake, and creamy frosting create a perfect balance.
• Elegant presentation: These cupcakes look stunning with their cherry garnish and crumb-coated edges.
• Easy to customize: Use other fruits or toppings to suit your preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Graham Cracker Base:

Ingredient	Quantity
Graham cracker crumbs	1 cup
Unsalted butter (melted)	3 tbsp
Granulated sugar	2 tbsp

For the Cupcakes:

Ingredient	Quantity
Cake flour	1 ½ cups
Granulated sugar	¾ cup + 2 tbsp
Baking powder	1 ¾ tsp
Fine sea salt	½ tsp
Unsalted butter (room temperature)	4 tbsp
Whole milk (room temperature)	½ cup
Vegetable oil	¼ cup
Sour cream (room temperature)	¼ cup
Eggs (room temperature)	2
Vanilla extract	1 tsp

For the Cherry Filling:

Ingredient	Quantity
Frozen sweet red cherries	2 ½ cups
Granulated sugar	3 tbsp
Fresh lemon juice	2 tsp
Cornstarch	1 tbsp
Water	1 tbsp

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredient	Quantity
Unsalted butter (room temperature)	¾ cup
Full-fat cream cheese (cold)	6 oz
Powdered sugar	2 ¼ cups
Heavy cream	1 ½ tbsp
Vanilla paste or extract	1 tsp

For Decoration:

Ingredient	Quantity
Fresh cherries	As needed
Reserved graham cracker crumbs	As needed

How to Make Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Base

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a cupcake tin with liners.
2. In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until combined.
3. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into each cupcake liner and press down firmly. Reserve any extra crumbs for decoration.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add the softened butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract.
2. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 4: Bake the Cupcakes

1. Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with batter.
2. Bake for 16-22 minutes or until the tops bounce back when touched.
3. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 5: Make the Cherry Filling

1. In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until the cherries break down and the mixture thickens.
2. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir it into the cherry mixture and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely before using.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat the butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Add the cold cream cheese and beat until smooth.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Mix in the heavy cream and vanilla paste or extract.

Step 7: Assemble the Cupcakes

1. Use a cupcake corer or a small knife to remove the center of each cupcake.
2. Fill the hollowed-out center with the cooled cherry filling.
3. Pipe a ring of frosting around the edges of each cupcake.
4. Roll the frosting edges in the reserved graham cracker crumbs.
5. Spoon more cherry filling into the center and top each cupcake with a fresh cherry.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an approximate breakdown per cupcake (based on 12 cupcakes):

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	320
Total Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	10g
Carbohydrates	38g
Sugar	26g
Protein	3g

Tips for Perfect Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes

• Use room-temperature ingredients: This ensures smooth mixing and a consistent texture.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the cupcakes dense instead of light and fluffy.
• Cool completely: Make sure the cupcakes are fully cooled before coring and frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
• Customize the filling: Swap cherries for strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a different flavor.
• Chill the frosting: Keep the frosting slightly chilled for easier piping.

FAQs About Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes

1. Can I use fresh cherries for the filling?
Yes, fresh cherries work wonderfully. Just pit and chop them before cooking.

2. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes and prepare the filling a day in advance. Assemble and frost them on the day of serving.

3. How should I store these cupcakes?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

4. Can I freeze these cupcakes?
It’s best to freeze the unfrosted cupcakes. Thaw them at room temperature, then add the filling and frosting.

5. Can I use a boxed cake mix instead?
Yes, a vanilla or white cake mix can be used to save time.

6. What can I use instead of graham cracker crumbs?
You can substitute with crushed digestive biscuits, vanilla wafers, or ginger snaps.

Why Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes Are Perfect for Any Occasion

Cherry cheesecake cupcakes with fresh cherries are elegant yet approachable. They’re great for birthdays, holidays, or simply treating yourself. The combination of cherry filling, graham cracker crunch, and cream cheese frosting is irresistible and sure to impress anyone lucky enough to try one.

Make Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes Today

Ready to bake a batch of these delightful cupcakes? Gather your ingredients and start creating a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re making them for a party or a sweet indulgence at home, these cherry cheesecake cupcakes are guaranteed to bring smiles. Happy baking!

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