Chocolate Cherry Streusel Muffin Tops

Ingredients

Batter

• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup sweet dried cherries, chopped (or sour dried cherries)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder (or 3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon dark cocoa)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup water

Streusel Topping

• 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup finely ground almonds (2 tablespoons extra flour if you don't have almonds)
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon almond extract)
• 6 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. 1

   For the batter:

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cherries, chips (if using), cocoa, baking powder and salt. Mix in the softened butter; the mixture will be crumbly.

3. 3

   Add eggs and water and mix until evenly moistened. Use a generous 1/4 cup of batter to fill the cups of the muffin pan.

4. 4

   For the topping:.

5. 5

   In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients and the extract. Using a fork or your fingers, cut in the butter to form crumbs.

6. 6

   Top the entire surface of each muffin with a generous amount of crumbs.

7. 7

   Bake the muffin tops for 14 to 16 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center of one comes out clean.

8. 8

   Cool the tops for 5 minutes in the pan, and then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

9. 9

   Dust with additional glazing or confectioners' sugar if desired. Enjoy!