CHERRY CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

    SERVINGS: 24 / UNIT PER SERVING=1


    Ingredients

      1 package devil's food cake mix, unprepared
      2 tbsp {None} apple butter
      2 tbsp water
      1 tsp almond extract
      16 oz can sweet cherries, packed in light syrup, drained
      (dark, pitted cherries)
      1/3 cup apple butter
      1 tsp almond extract
      1/2 cup fat-free egg substitute


    Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two 24-hole mini muffin pans with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, make the frosting: Mix together 1 cup of cake mix, 2 tablespoons of apple butter, water and 1 teaspoon of almond extract until smooth; set aside.

    Place drained cherries on a paper towel. Pat cherries dry, place on cutting board and coarsely chop; set aside.

    In a mixer on slow speed, combine remaining cake mix, remaining apple butter, remaining almond extract and egg substitute for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and mix until smooth, about 2 minutes more; stir in cherries.

    Fill muffin pans 3/4 full with cherry mixture. Bake until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean, about 15 to 17 minutes. Allow to cool in pans for 5 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Frost each cupcake with 1 teaspoon reserved frosting.