Once upon a time there was a box. It traveled across the country to arrive at my door. The box was ordinary on the outside. The contents are what made it extraordinary. Opening it revealed two bottles of Gallo Family Vineyards wine and a lovely note. The note included information on the wines and sparked a thought process. My mind went into gear and soon a new recipe was developed: Merlot Cherry Cupcakes with Sweet White Frosting.
What made me decide on cupcakes? One of the wines was Sweet White Blend and I consider it a dessert wine. It is what took me in the direction of dessert. I thought of my Chocolate Kirsch Cupcakes and used that recipe as a starting point. GFV Merlot has flavors of black cherry and ripe plum. Of course I honed in on cherry and decided wine-soaked cherries would sub great for chocolate chips. The wine itself would sub for Kirschwasser. Next was the decision on frosting and it was an easy one. What goes with wine? Cheese does! So cream cheese frosting made with sweet wine was decided on in a split second.
Making the cupcakes had an interesting element. I discovered when beautiful red wine mixes with cupcake batter it turns into a hideous grey color. Well, you do not want to serve hideous grey cupcakes to your friends and family. Red food coloring came to the rescue. I added drops until it turned back into a deep purple-red color of both the wine and dark cherries. Next time I may add a few more drops to bump the color a bit more since it faded some with baking.
Merlot cherry cupcakes with sweet white frosting are festive treats. The cake part is moist, flavored with Merlot, and filled with wine-soaked cherries. The frosting is rich and creamy. It's made with cream cheese, butter, sugar, and a touch of sweet white wine. These cupcakes are great for adult entertaining and occasions. They contain wine as an ingredient and are not suited for children.
The story begins with an ordinary box and ends with tasty cupcakes. That is what I call a nice ending. It also goes to show how a recipe has more to it than ingredients and methods. There is an unseen part of its history or memories associated with it. Sunday Supper is proud to partner with Gallo Family Vineyards to share recipes and an inside scoop on each of them. Scroll down to find the list and links to each one. We have fantastic lineup for you.
More on Gallo Family Vineyards: You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Their website has information on all Gallo Family wines, a , and pairing guides.
Merlot Cherry Cupcakes with Sweet White Frosting
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- ⅔ cup Merlot wine red
- ½ cup chopped dried tart cherries
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup whole milk at room temperature
- Red food coloring
For the frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- Pinch of salt
- 1 box confectioners sugar 16 ounces, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons sweet white wine plus more if needed
Instructions
For the cupcakes:
- Heat Merlot in a small sauce pan until it barely simmers. Remove from the heat and add cherries. Soak cherries for 1 hour. Drain and reserve ⅓ cup of the Merlot.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla and beat to combine.
- Combine milk and reserved Merlot in a measuring cup.
- 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.
- Stir in drops of red food coloring until desired color is reached.
- Stir in cherries.
- Divide batter among muffin cups.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (Tops of cupcakes should spring back when lightly touched)
- Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack. Frost with sweet white frosting.
For the frosting:
- Beat cream cheese, butter, and salt until smooth.
- Add confectioners sugar and vanilla. Beat to combine. Add enough sweet white wine until it reaches spreading or piping consistency.
- Spread or pipe frosting on top of cupcakes.
- Refrigerate cupcakes.
Notes
The best recipes always have a story. Take a look at these by Sunday Supper contributors featuring Gallo Family Vineyards wines and enjoy the stories behind them too:
Brunch:
- Crepes with Sweet Wine Poached Berries by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Overnight Blueberry Baked French Toast by Alida's Kitchen
- Sangria Stuffed French Toast by Melanie Makes
Mains and Sides:
- Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken Spinach and White Wine Sauce by Family Foodie
- Baby, That's a Good Merlot Onion Burger by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Beef Braciole with Parmesan and Prosciutto by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Beef Daube by The Foodie Army Wife
- Chicken and Couscous Stuffed Peppers by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Chicken Sausage and Mushroom Skillet over Goat Cheese Grits by Neighborfood
- Giambotta an Italian Veggie Stew by Country Girl In The Village
- Grilled Pepperoni Pizza by Ruffles & Truffles
- Rosemary Garlic Chicken Thighs by Hip Foodie Mom
- Short Rib Ragu with Rigatoni by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff by Foxes Love Lemons
- Spaghetti All'Ubriaco by kimchi MOM
- Tarragon Chicken by girlichef
- World's Best Turkey Meatballs by Shockingly Delicious
Beverages and Desserts:
- Tropical Breezes Sangria by The Weekend Gourmet
- Lemon on a Cloud by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Merlot Cherry Cupcakes with Sweet White Frosting by Magnolia Days
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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.
Your Merlot cupcakes look divine, Renee! And I'm thrilled you added my favorite tart cherries to the mix as well. They must taste amazing steeped in Merlot!
Thanks Liz and those wine-steeped cherries are beyond wonderful.
Renee,
I have always wanted to make cupcakes with wine!! and now I can! These cupcakes look so perfect and delicious! and look at you using BOTH wines . . brilliant and delicious! Can't wait to try this recipe!
My next batch may be with white wine. I think there are so many possibilities for baking with wine.
Wine soaked cherries in a cupcake sound incredible! I love the white wine frosting as well...such great flavors in this cupcake!
Thanks Heather. I'm loving the wine-soaked cherries so much that I'm sure I'll use them again in another recipe. They taste fabulous.
Love a story that begins with an ordinary box and turns into this beautiful cupcake!
Thanks Isabel and cheers to you!
I love your story AND how you utilized both wines in these delicious cupcakes!
Thank you Alida. I really do appreciate your compliment on my writing (story).
Renee,
I think the color of the finished cupcake is perfect! If you made it any more red, people might assume it was a red velvet cupcake. Keep it! First, though, send two to me. 🙂
Thanks Dorothy. I was careful not to add too much red food coloring because I also thought about it looking too much like red velvet. And I would send you two if I thought they would ship well.
The flavors sound incredible, Renee! What a fun way to bring some whimsy to an adult dinner party!
Yes! The adults needs a fun dessert too. These would be great at a cocktail or dinner party.
Very creative use of the wine...and I'm betting they taste amazing! Love these...
They do taste amazing. I may have eaten my share and a few other's share too.
Oooh boy - soaking cherries in Merlot is a brilliant move. These cupcakes sound insanely good, especially topped with a cream cheese frosting (my all time favorite variety, haha).
Thanks Katie and cream cheese frosting is one of my top favorites too.
Oh my goodness... Perfection! The cherries and Merlot...genius and the sweet white blend with cream cheese... Just genius. Great recipe!
Such kind words Shannon - thank you very much.
Screw going to the bar, I want to get drunk on these.
Seriously though, the recipe sounds absolutely amazing. I'm a huge fan of dessert wine, and cherries are my favourite flavour of pretty much anything (along with almond). You, m'lady, are a genius.
You should see the big smile on my face from your comment. Cheers to you Tom!
This looks incredible! I honestly never wouldathunk of adding wine to baking! Then again...I'm the one sipping the wine while someone else bakes...hahah Happy #SundaySupper 🙂
I may have been sipping wine while I was baking. Ahem.
Cherries soaked in Merlot-- my mouth is watering! This look amazing! Reading your post reminded me a little of a cupcake wars episode on the Food Network and I'm glad a little food coloring fixed the grey batter! Yummy!
I've never watched cupcake wars. How interesting it reminded you of an episode. I'll have to check out the show one day.
I need these in my life! I'm such a cherry fan. Thanks for sharing, Renee!
I'm a major cherry fan too. I can't wait for cherry season.
I love that you used both wines!! They sound wonderful. Pinning for later 🙂
Thanks a bunch Bobbi and I appreciate the pin.
Love that you used two types of wine in these - I would have NEVER thought to do that! Also, thanks from saving us from having to look at gray cupcakes 😉 These are lovely!
Those two bottles of wine were so inspiring I had to use both of them.
Looks like a cheery cherry story with a happy ending, Renee! Your cupcakes look scrumptious =)
Thanks Kim and your comment made me smile (as they usually do).
These cupcakes looks so fluffy and decadent! I can't wait to give them a try!
They are fluffy and decadent. We ate them like crazy. I know I'll be making them again.
Mmm...wine and cheese cupcakes. The perfect combo! Good to know that wine makes a cupcake gray though. Who knew?
I know it was a surprise for me. I'm so glad I had red food coloring in my pantry to fix it.
I'm not usually a fan of merlot, but a deep red wine pairs perfectly with cherry. These cupcakes sound fab!
You could experiment with different dry red wines instead of Merlot as long as they have cherry flavor notes.
What fun! I just love that you made cupcakes with wine! This is something I need to try!
It was such fun baking with wine. I can't wait to do more of it.
Renee, you're amazing! I've never considered baking with wine but now, it's the only thing on my mind, lol. That way I can "taste test" the wine by taking a few swigs before I add it to my desserts. And then wash the dessert down with more wine later. These cupcakes are beautiful!
I think that is a great way to bake with wine. Definitely use what you would drink and sip while you are baking.
An awesome pairing! I tend to add red wine to chocolate cakes, but this is an amazing twist both for the wine and the cherries, which are one of my favorite things to eat. Lovely Renee!
Now you have me wanting to bake a chocolate cake with wine. Thanks so much for the inspiration Paula.