These Cherry Chocolate Chip Muffins are soft, fluffy, and bursting with sweet maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips. topped with a cherry glaze, they make a cheerful treat that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick me up.
This recipe reminds me of the cherry banana nut muffins but with a more intense cherry flavor. The combination of chocolate and cherry has always been one of my favorites, and these muffins carry that same nostalgic flavor in a simple grab and go form.
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Why You'll Love Chocolate Cherry Chip Muffins
Sweet flavor combo: chocolate and cherries are a classic pairing everyone enjoys.
Quick and easy: the batter stirs together easily, no mixer needed.
Pretty presentation: the pink glaze and cherry bits make these muffins eye catching for parties or special mornings.
Key Ingredients
- All purpose flour: the base of the muffin, giving it structure and a tender crumb.
- Maraschino Cherries: sweet, vibrant cherries chopped and folded into the batter for flavor and color.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: smaller chips spread more evenly throughout the muffins so every bite has a bit of chocolate.
- Almond Extract: a small touch that deepens the cherry flavor.
- Cherry Juice: from the maraschino jar, used in the glaze for a natural pink color and extra sweetness.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of mini chips for a richer flavor.
- Swap canola oil with melted butter for a slightly richer muffin.
- Replace maraschino cherries with fresh pitted cherries when in season.
Recipe Variations
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Make them mini muffins for bite sized treats.
- Skip the glaze and sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking for a less sweet option.
Top Tips
- Don't overmix the batter, stir just untiil the dry ingredients disappear.
- Pat cherries dry with paper towels before folding them into the batter so extra liquid doesn't make the muffins soggy.
- Let muffins cool before dipping into the glaze so it sets nicely on top.
Storage
Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them without glaze and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serve With...
These muffins are perfect alongside a warm drink or brunch spread. Try serving them with Homemade Hot chocolate or add them to a brunch table with Egg Muffin Cups for a mix of sweet and savory.
Related Recipes
For more sweet muffin and breakfast ideas, you might enjoy:
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Cherry Chocolate Chip Muffins with Cherry Glaze
Equipment
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Ingredients
FOR THE MUFFINS
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 10 ounce maraschino cherries chopped
- ¾ cup mini chocolate chips
FOR THE ICING
- 1½ cups confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place 12 paper liners in a muffin pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a 4-cup measuring cup whisk together the egg, milk, canola oil, and almond extract.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir just until mixed.
- Fold the chocolate chips and cherries into the batter and stir until just combined.
- Using a ¼ cup scoop, transfer the muffin batter to the paper lined muffin pan. Decorate with additional maraschino cherries and chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until muffin is no longer wet in the center and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the muffins from the pan and place on a cooling rack with wax paper beneath the rack. In a small mixing bowl combine the powdered sugar, butter, cherry juice, and almond extract.
- Dip the top of the muffin into the glaze and return to the cooling rack. Allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Janice says
These were yummy. Put chocolate chips in just half of them but had toasted almonds in all of them. Both were yummy. I was afraid icicing would be to sweet but nice addition to cherry flavor.