Chocolate baking chips kicked off a major inspiration. One mention of them leads to a brainstorm of ideas. What flavor to enhance and pair well with dark 60% cacao chips? Cherry immediately came to mind. How to infuse cherry flavor to match the depth of the chocolate? Kirschwasser, a.k.a. cherry brandy, works wonderfully. Soon it was all put together in Chocolate Kirsch Cupcakes.
Which baking chips caused the inspiration? It was none other than the Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips. The chips have a little less sweetness than semi-sweet ones. They are also a bit larger than typical baking chips which mean more flavor impact. Using them is a great way to give baked goods an extra punch of rich, dark chocolate.
How are the Chocolate Kirsch Cupcakes? The cupcakes are deep chocolate accented with those wonderful chips and flavored with Kirschwasser. They have an airy texture complimented with a fluffy seven minute frosting made with maraschino cherry juice. The juice gives the frosting a light cherry flavor and the prettiest pale pink color. They are finished with a maraschino cherry on top.
How often do you bake with chocolate chips? It’s quite often for me. I use them in bread, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and more. Take a look at my Buttermilk Chocolate Quick Bread and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars. I use and recommend Ghirardelli brand which can be found at grocery, mass and club stores nationwide. One last note on the Chocolate Kirsch Cupcakes: They are great for Valentine’s Day and any occasion for adults. They contain alcohol as an ingredient and are not suited for children.
Chocolate Kirsch Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup whole milk at room temperature
- 1/4 cup kirshwasser cherry brandy
- 3/4 cup 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate baking chips
For the cherry seven minute frosting:
- 1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
For the cupcakes:
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
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Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
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In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
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Add egg and vanilla and beat to combine.
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Combine milk and kirshwasser in a measuring cup.
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Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternatively with the milk in two additions, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not over mix.
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Stir in baking chips.
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Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. There may be a small amount of extra batter. Discard extra or use it to make extra cupcakes.
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Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Remove cupcakes from muffin pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
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Frost with cherry seven minute frosting. Garnish with maraschino cherries.
For the cherry seven minute frosting:
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Bring about an inch of water to a simmer in a saucepan.
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In a heat-proof bowl (metal or glass), add the cherry juice, sugar, egg whites, cream of tarter and salt. Whisk to combine.
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Set bowl over simmering water and mix with a handheld electric mixer on low speed. A whisk attachment works well however you can use regular beaters.
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Increase the speed to high and beat mixture until it holds stiff peaks, about 7 minutes.
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Remove the bowl from over the pan and set on kitchen towel. Continue to beat until mixture is cool, glossy, and billowy, about 2 minutes more.
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Beat in vanilla. Use immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container.
Recipe Notes
You will have extra frosting you can use for more cupcakes. Refrigerate leftover in a sealed container.
Disclosure: I received a stipend from Ghirardelli to purchase ingredients for recipe development and was not compensated for writing this post. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are my own unless otherwise stated or contained within a guest post.
Stacy says
February 11, 2014 at 7:24 amThose are absolutely gorgeous, Renee! I am not a huge fan of kirsch but I do love chocolate and cherries. I need to find some of those big Ghirardelli chips!
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:57 amI hope you can find those big chocolate chips Stacy. If not, maybe someone in your family can ship some to you. They are fantastic.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
February 11, 2014 at 1:14 pmI do love chocolate and cherry together and Ghirardeli is one of our favorite chocolates.
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:55 amI love chocolate and cherry except for the chocolate covered cherries candy. My dad loved them and yet I never acquired a taste for those candies.
cakewhiz says
February 11, 2014 at 7:40 pmI am in love with these cupcakes! they look beautiful and the recipe sounds delicious. Pinned! 🙂
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:54 amThank you and I really appreciate the pin.
Maryanne @the little epicurean says
February 11, 2014 at 9:13 pmI have the same cupcake stand! These looks delicious! 🙂
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:53 amI spotted that cupcake stand in HomeGoods a while ago and had to get it. It’s such a great stand.
Jaime says
February 12, 2014 at 6:00 amI love kirsch and cherries! Not maraschino usually but these look so pretty! You’ve made such a pretty shade of pink and the cupcake looks so tempting! xx
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:53 amThat maraschino cherry juice made an incredible color to the frosting and gave it such a light cherry flavor. It’s something I know I’ll make again and again.
Bill says
February 12, 2014 at 6:41 amThese cupcakes look so amazing, Renee! Chocolate and cherries are a marriage made in heaven. Beautiful job with styling and photography!
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:51 amThanks Bill and that’s a great compliment from such a talented photographer.
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
February 12, 2014 at 4:29 pmRenee,
These cupcakes look so delicious. . I want one!!! I’m so intrigued by the cherry brandy in the cupcakes and your 7 minute frosting!!! love this!
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:50 amAnd the cherry brandy has inspired me to use other liqueurs in cupcakes and cakes too.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
February 12, 2014 at 8:01 pmRenee, oh mah goodness! Cherry brandy? Bittersweet chips? I’m in love!
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:50 amThanks Jennie. It’s worth going and getting a bottle of the Kirshwasser just to make these cupcakes.
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
February 13, 2014 at 7:32 pmI *love* Ghirardelli! Their cocoa / chocolate powder makes fabulous brownies
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:46 amI *love* Ghirardelli too. I’ve used their baking products and enjoyed their chocolates for many years.
cj says
February 13, 2014 at 8:49 pmYum – Would love to see these submitted at FoodFotoGallery.com so I can share with all my foodie friends 🙂
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:46 amThanks CJ and I’ll take a look at FoodFotoGallery.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
February 14, 2014 at 2:55 pmI love the Ghirardelli 60% chips and I can only imagine they make these cupcakes extra delicious.
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:44 amYes they do and I think they are the right thing to go with cherry.
Susan says
February 16, 2014 at 10:57 amThese cupcakes are just gorgeous. They almost look fake. Almost, such shine on that frosting but we all know it won’t be hard plastic when you bite into it!
Renee says
February 19, 2014 at 10:37 amThe 7-minute frosting is so glossy and fluffy. I am thrilled with the pale pink color from the cherry juice too.