There is something so fun about popping a whole cherry in your mouth! That luscious burst of flavor as you bite through is just so satisfying and pleasing. Before you know it, you have eaten a whole bowl!

This week we made delicious cupcakes with Rainier cherries from Superfresh Growers® They were sweet and just SO delicious! Keep reading to learn more about this kind of cherry and make this recipe for your next summer gathering.

This post is sponsored by Superfresh Growers® ( opinions and love of their cherries are my own)

We have three cherry trees on our homestead, but unfortunately, they are not producing as well as I would have liked them to. Luckily for me, Superfresh Growers® has sent me a bunch of their mouth-watering, fresh Rainier cherries to make some delicious summer cherry recipes, that I would like to share with you! They are available at my local grocery stores too so I can eat them all throughout the season.

Rainier Cherries: With their high sugar levels, Rainier cherries have a distinctive sweet flavor and are perfect for eating fresh. They are heart-shaped with pink/red blush on a yellow background and have yellow-colored flesh. They are very firm and finely textured. Rainier trees ripen later and will yield fruit from late June through July. Excellent for zone 5-8, and often zone 9 also. Rainier cherry trees pollinate with Montmorency, Stella, Lambert, and other mid-season varieties.

They are my absolute favorite variety of cherry!

RECIPE

Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup Superfresh Growers® Rainier cherries

1 tsp almond extract

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup oil

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

Frosting

1/4 cup pureed Super Fresh Growers Rainier Cherries

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup dairy free butter ( Must be COLD)

1/2 tsp almond extract

1 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

CUPCAKES

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tray with cupcake liners. Set aside.
Add fresh cherries to the food processor and purée. Set aside.
Add all purpose flour, white granulated sugar, baking soda and salt to a mixing bowl and mix together.
Add the cherry puree, almond extract, vanilla, oil, apple cider vinegar, and mix into a batter. Do not over mix. It will still seem a little thick which is okay
Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of one of the cupcakes. It should come out clean.
Let the cupcakes cool in the tray for a few minutes and then transfer the cupcakes to a wire cooling rack to cool before frosting.

ICING

In a mixing bowl, add the dairy free butter. Make sure the butter is VERY cold
Cream the butter just until it starts to break apart.
Add in half the powdered sugar and beat again.
Add in cherry puree, almond extract, and vanilla. Beat again.
Add the remaining powdered sugar and blend again until well combined.
Use right away or store in an air tight container that you place in the fridge.

Sprinkle slivered almonds onto the tops of the cupcakes and then add a cherry on top!!

ENJOY!

Makes 12 cupcakes

PIN FOR LATER

You can find these delicious Superfresh Growers Cherries at your local Whole Foods, Kroger, Walmart, Publix, and many more! For more recipes visit the Superfresh Growers® Site HERE

Let me know if you make these cupcakes! Stay tuned for more fun recipes coming your way this summer.

Much love always,

Annette