Description
Moist chocolate cupcakes with a sweet-tart cherry compote centre, topped with fresh whipped cream and a glossy cherry. All the flavours of classic Black Forest cake in a portable, party-ready form.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes:
130 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
25 g (1/4 cup) cocoa powder
150 g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
65 g (1/3 cup) vegetable oil
120 g (1/2 cup) buttermilk (or milk + 1/2 tbsp vinegar)
1 tsp instant coffee
60 g (1/4 cup) boiling water
Cherry Compote:
1 can maraschino cherries, stems removed from all but 12
60 ml (1/4 cup) cherry syrup from the jar
1–2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tbsp cornstarch
Whipped Cream:
360 g (1 1/2 cups) heavy cream, chilled
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 12-hole cupcake tin. Sift flour and cocoa, then whisk with sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add egg, oil, and buttermilk. Dissolve instant coffee in boiling water, add to the batter, and whisk gently until just combined. Divide into liners and bake 15–17 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with light crumbs. Cool completely.
- Make the Compote: Drain cherries, reserving syrup. Set aside 12 whole cherries. Chop the rest. Combine chopped cherries, syrup, and sugar in a pan over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes. Stir in cornstarch and cook 1–2 minutes until thickened. Cool completely.
- Whip the Cream: Beat cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag with a large round tip.
- Assemble: Core each cupcake centre using the back of a piping tip. Fill with cherry compote, pipe whipped cream swirls on top, and garnish with a whole cherry.
Notes
- Add chocolate shavings on top for extra indulgence.
- Use fresh cherries in season for best flavour.
- For an adult twist, add a splash of kirsch to the compote.
- Make mini cupcakes for bite-sized treats.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–17 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Assembly
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
