Cherry-Topped Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter

• 5 (1 ounce)  unsweetened chocolate squares
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 5 eggs, divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, divided
• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 24 maraschino cherries, with stems well drained

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Melt butter and chocolate squares in a large microwave-safe bowl, on high in 30 second intervals until melted.

3. 3

   Stir until smooth and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Add sugar and stir until combined.

5. 5

   Add 4 eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition.

6. 6

   Stir in flour and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

7. 7

   Spoon chocolate mixture into 24 paper lined muffin cups, filling halfway.

8. 8

   In a separate mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, remaining egg, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and powdered sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer: mix until fluffy.

9. 9

   Spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over the chocolate mixture in perpared cups, spreading to edges of paper liners.

10. 10

    Bake for 20-22 minutes.

11. 11

    Immediately press a cherry into each cupcake while cupcakes are still hot.

12. 12

    Allow to cook on wire racks.