Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for garnish)
Special equipment needed:
- Cupcake pan
- Cupcake liners
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with liners.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, almond extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed and mix for 2 minutes.
3. Fold in the chopped cherries, chopped pistachios, and mini chocolate chips.
4. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full with the batter.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
7. Dust the cupcakes with powdered sugar before serving.
Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 18-20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Temperature:
350°F
Serving size:
12 cupcakes
Nutritional information:
Calories: 280
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 47mg
Sodium: 340mg
Carbohydrates: 39g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 26g
Protein: 3g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Instead of maraschino cherries, you can use fresh cherries or dried cherries.
- Instead of pistachios, you can use almonds or walnuts.
- Instead of mini chocolate chips, you can use regular chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
Variations:
- You can add a few drops of green food coloring to the batter to make it look more like spumoni ice cream.
- You can top the cupcakes with whipped cream and a cherry for a more decadent dessert.
Tips and tricks:
- Be sure to drain the maraschino cherries well before chopping them to avoid excess liquid in the batter.
- Use a cookie scoop to evenly distribute the batter into the cupcake liners.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before dusting them with powdered sugar.
Storage instructions:
- Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheating instructions:
- To reheat the cupcakes, place them in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
Presentation ideas:
- Serve the cupcakes on a platter with a dusting of powdered sugar and a few cherries on top.
Garnishes:
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
- Cherries
Pairings:
- Coffee
- Milk
- Tea
Suggested side dishes:
- Fresh fruit salad
- Vanilla ice cream
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the cupcakes are too dry, try adding a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the batter.
- If the cupcakes are too moist, try reducing the amount of cherry juice in the recipe.
Food safety advice:
- Be sure to wash your hands and all utensils before preparing the recipe.
- Check the expiration date on all ingredients before using them.
- Store the cupcakes in an airtight container to prevent contamination.
Food history:
- Spumoni is an Italian dessert that typically consists of three flavors of ice cream (cherry, pistachio, and chocolate) layered together.
Flavor profiles:
- Sweet
- Nutty
- Tart
Serving suggestions:
- Serve the cupcakes as a dessert after a meal or as a sweet treat for a special occasion.
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Taste: Rich, Sweet, Chocolatey, Nutty, Fruity