Sunday Dinners: Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes for Valentine's Day

Day 10: Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes for Valentine's Day

Do these look scrumptious of what?! Kara over at Creations by Kara created these sweet treats. HERE is her original post on these clever creations. YUM!


Batter:
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup soft butter or margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp almond extract (optional)
1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Filling:
8oz cream cheese, softened (I used light)
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries

Beat sour cream, butter, eggs, and almond extract. Add dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. For filling, beat cream cheese and sugar till smooth, then beat in egg yolk. Fold in cherries. Line 22 muffin cups with paper liners. In each cup, layer 1 Tbsp batter, 1 Tbsp filling, 1 Tbsp batter. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
dash of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
3 cups powdered sugar
Red food coloring if desired

Beat cream cheese and butter till smooth. Add remaining ingredients and beat till spreading consistency, adding powdered sugar as needed.