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Gothic Cherry Cupcakes

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Gothic Cherry Cupcakes are decadent chocolate cupcakes filled with cherry preserves and topped with dramatic black frosting—perfect for Halloween, gothic parties, or moody dessert lovers.

Ingredients

  • For the cupcakes:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup milk
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup boiling water
  • For the filling:
  • ½ cup cherry pie filling or black cherry preserves
  • For the frosting:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2–2½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • Black gel food coloring
  • Optional toppings:
  • Fresh cherries
  • Edible glitter
  • Black sprinkles
  • Dark chocolate curls

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with dark or metallic cupcake liners.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Stir in boiling water carefully to thin the batter.
  4. Pour batter into liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  5. Use a small knife or corer to remove the center of each cupcake. Fill with cherry pie filling or preserves, then replace the top.
  6. For the frosting: Beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, cream, and black gel food coloring. Mix until smooth and deep black.
  7. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and garnish with a cherry, black sprinkles, or edible glitter.

Notes

  • Use blackberry or raspberry jam for variation.
  • Add cherry liqueur to the filling for an adult version.
  • Let frosting sit—color intensifies as it rests.
  • Start with chocolate frosting to help deepen the black color with less dye.
  • Dark chocolate chips in the batter add extra richness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/gothic-cherry-cupcakes/