Cherry Cupcakes

These tasty treats are a natural for school parties or tailgate celebrations.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (16-ounce) can vanilla frosting

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place paper liners in 24 muffin-pan cups.
2. Add eggs, water and oil to cake mix in a large mixing bowl. Beat ingredients together following package directions. Pour batter into prepared muffin-pan cups, filling two-thirds full.
3. Remove 24 cherries from cherry filling; set aside. Spoon a generous teaspoon of remaining cherry filling onto the center of each cupcake.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cools in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Let cool completely. Frost each cupcake with vanilla frosting. Garnish each cupcake with reserved cherries.

Makes 15 cupcakes.

Recipe and photograph: Courtesy of Cherry Marketing Institute.