Double Chocolate Cherry Muffins

There is a very small window during the summer where you can get the wonderful fresh cherries at a really good price.  This is the start of that window.  The cherries seem to be really sweet and juicy this year. When I saw this recipe used fresh cherries I had to try it and they were priced right to try this week too.

I chose to use mini chocolate chips since I was going to make mini muffins

Look at how pretty those cherries are.  I would not be making this recipe if I didn't have the cherry pitter.  It makes the work easier but don't wear a white shirt while you are pitting them.

While you are waiting for your butter to soften you can pit and chop 1 1/3 cups cherries. I actually misread the small print and chopped 1 1/2 cups.

Start with 2 sticks softened butter

3/4 cup sugar. Mix until fluffy

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon cherry extract.  I didn't have cherry extract so I used maraschino cherry juice. Not sure if it is the same or not but at least there is the cherry flavor.

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups all purpose flour, add a little at a time

1 cup milk, alternate the milk and flour

Add the chopped cherries

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Isn't that a pretty batter.  I had to taste it and it reminds me of the Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.

I sprayed and filled mini muffin pans.  Insert into a preheated 400 oven.  Bake for about 15 minutes for the small ones.  They might could have baked another minute or two.

I had two trays of mini muffins and 9 large ones.  I baked the large ones about 20-25 minutes.

Nothing beats chocolate and cherries.

Double Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 sticks butter softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon cherry flavoring

1 cup milk

1 1/3 cup chopped cherries

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 400.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.

The recipe says you can use frozen cherries that are thawed and dried well.