Delightful & Light Maraschino Cherry Muffins: A Sweet Treat for Every Occasion
Discover the joy of baking with these exquisite Maraschino Cherry Muffins! Perfect for any special occasion or a delightful everyday snack, these vibrant pink muffins are a healthy alternative you’ve been searching for. Originally conceived as a fun, festive treat for Valentine’s Day, their charm and delicious flavor make them suitable year-round. The natural sweetness of maraschino cherries, combined with a touch of pink food coloring, creates an irresistible appeal that’s both visually stunning and incredibly tasty. Forget guilt; these muffins offer a wholesome way to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Each of these charming pink muffins is incredibly light on points, costing you only 3 Weight Watchers points per serving. What’s more, they are completely fat-free, allowing you to indulge without a second thought. These make fantastic snacks for children, too, giving you peace of mind knowing you’re offering them a healthier, homemade option. The diced maraschino cherries are little bursts of sweet, fruity goodness, ensuring every bite is infused with their delightful flavor. Dicing them finely beforehand guarantees an even distribution throughout the batter, so you’ll never miss a cherry in your muffin.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Maraschino Cherry Muffin Recipe!
These Maraschino Cherry Muffins aren’t just pretty; they offer a host of benefits that make them a must-try. Here are three compelling reasons why this recipe deserves a spot in your baking rotation:
1. Made with Simple, Accessible Ingredients
You don’t need a pantry full of exotic items to create these wonderful muffins. The core ingredients, primarily maraschino cherries and a touch of pink food coloring, are easily found. Most of the other components like eggs, flour, and milk are likely staples you already have in your kitchen. This simplicity means less time shopping and more time enjoying the baking process, making it a perfect recipe for both novice and experienced bakers alike. Whip up a batch of these vibrant pink delights with minimal fuss and maximum satisfaction.
2. Remarkably Low in Sugar
In an era where many baked goods are laden with excessive sugar, these Maraschino Cherry Muffins stand out as a healthier choice. Each muffin contains just about 3 grams of sugar. To put that into perspective, a typical bakery muffin can pack anywhere from 30 to 40 grams of sugar in a single serving! This recipe provides a fantastic, guilt-free alternative, allowing you to enjoy a sweet treat without the significant sugar overload. It’s perfect for those monitoring their sugar intake or simply looking for a more balanced snack option.
3. Gorgeously Pink and Festive!
Who can resist a bright, cheerful pink muffin? The addition of food coloring transforms these muffins into a festive and fun treat that brightens any table. While they are a splendid choice for Valentine’s Day, their playful color makes them incredibly versatile for various celebrations. Imagine serving these at a themed birthday party, a sophisticated bridal shower, a whimsical baby shower, or a fun ladies’ brunch. They add a touch of whimsy and elegance, proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or bland.
Essential Ingredients for Your Maraschino Cherry Muffins:
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful muffins. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 large eggs, essential for structure and binding.
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce, which acts as a fantastic healthy substitute for oil or butter, adding moisture and a touch of natural sweetness without extra fat.
- ¾ cup skim milk, keeping the muffins light and moist. Feel free to use your preferred dairy or non-dairy milk alternative like almond or soy milk for a different profile or if you’re making them dairy-free.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, to enhance all the flavors.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, providing the main structure of your muffins. For added fiber, you could experiment with a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour.
- 2 teaspoons baking powder, the leavening agent that gives these muffins their wonderful rise and fluffy texture.
- 19 maraschino cherries, finely chopped into small pieces. The chopping is key to ensure cherry flavor in every bite.
- A few drops of pink food coloring, completely optional, but highly recommended for that signature festive pink hue.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Maraschino Cherry Muffins
Baking these muffins is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time:
- Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Tin: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-hole muffin tin with paper liners. Parchment paper liners are particularly effective as they minimize sticking, ensuring your beautiful muffins come out perfectly intact.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, lightly whisk the eggs until just combined. Then, stir in the applesauce, skim milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until these wet ingredients are well incorporated and smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Color: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined – be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough muffins. Now, fold in the pink food coloring. Start with a few drops and add more gradually, mixing lightly, until you achieve your desired shade of pink. The exact amount will depend on the brand and concentration of your food coloring.
- Prepare the Cherries: It’s crucial to chop your maraschino cherries into very small pieces. Aim for at least 6-8 tiny pieces from each cherry. This ensures that the cherry flavor and color are evenly distributed throughout each muffin. A helpful tip: freezing the cherries for about 15-20 minutes before chopping can make them much easier to slice neatly.
- Gently Fold and Fill: Gently fold the finely chopped cherries into the muffin batter. Again, avoid overmixing; just fold until the cherries are distributed. Then, evenly divide the batter among the 12 prepared muffin cups. Each cup should be about two-thirds full.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The muffins are ready when they are golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve them warm for the best taste and texture, or allow them to cool completely before storing.
This recipe yields 12 delicious muffins. For those counting calories and macros, here’s the nutrition information per 1 muffin: Calories 92, Fat 0 g, Saturated fat 0 g, Carbs 18 g, Fiber .8 g, Sugars 3.5 g, Sodium 93 mg, Protein 4 g. These figures confirm their status as a healthy and satisfying treat.
Understanding the Weight Watchers Points for These Muffins
One of the best features of these Maraschino Cherry Muffins is their incredibly low Weight Watchers point value, making them a fantastic choice for those following the program. Each muffin is a mere 3 points, based on the WW app recipe creator. Let’s break down the points for the key ingredients:
- Eggs: 0 points (a fantastic zero-point food!)
- Applesauce: 0 points (another excellent zero-point option for moisture and sweetness)
- Skim milk: 2 points
- Vanilla: 0 points
- All-purpose flour: 26 points (this is where most of the points come from, but divided among 12 muffins, it’s manageable)
- Baking powder: 0 points
- Maraschino cherries: 8 points
- Pink food coloring: 0 points
The total points, when divided by 12 muffins, result in a wonderfully low 3 points per muffin. This makes them a smart choice for anyone on Weight Watchers, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or fun to stick to your health goals.
For those utilizing older versions of Weight Watchers, here’s a quick reference:
- Smart points (Green, Blue & Purple plans): 3 points per muffin, calculated using the WW recipe builder.
- Points Plus: 3 points per muffin, determined using a PP calculator.
Creative Ways to Customize Your Maraschino Cherry Muffins
While these muffins are fantastic as is, they also serve as a wonderful canvas for customization. Feel free to get creative and tailor them to your taste preferences:
- Add a Fun Pink Drizzle: Elevate the presentation and add an extra touch of sweetness with a simple pink glaze. Whisk together 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar with just a splash of water and a drop or two of pink food coloring. Drizzle this over the warm muffins right before serving for a beautiful finish.
- Introduce a Chocolate Flare: For those who love the classic cherry-chocolate combination, consider adding ½ cup of Lily’s No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate Chips to the batter. These chips provide a rich, decadent flavor without significantly impacting the sugar content or Weight Watchers points, transforming your muffins into an even more indulgent treat.
- Go Au Naturel (No Food Coloring): If you prefer to avoid food coloring or don’t have any on hand, don’t worry! These muffins will still be absolutely delicious. The color will be a more subtle, natural hue from the cherries, but the flavor will remain just as wonderful.
- Dairy-Free Options: To make these muffins suitable for those with dairy sensitivities or preferences, simply swap the skim milk for an equal amount of almond milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk alternative. The texture and flavor will remain largely the same, ensuring everyone can enjoy these treats.
- Opt for Fresh Cherries: For an even fresher, more natural flavor profile, or if you’re looking to make these zero Weight Watchers points for fruit, use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries. Just be sure to pit and chop them into small pieces. Keep in mind that fresh cherries are less sweet, so you might consider adding a touch more sweetener (like a sugar substitute or a tiny bit of honey/maple syrup if your points allow) to the batter if you prefer a sweeter muffin.
- Incorporate Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of fresh lemon or orange zest folded into the batter can add a bright, zesty counterpoint to the sweetness of the cherries, creating a more complex and refreshing flavor profile.
- Nutty Crunch: For added texture and a hint of nutty flavor, gently fold in ¼ cup of finely chopped walnuts or pecans along with the cherries.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfect Maraschino Cherry Muffins
Achieving bakery-quality muffins at home is easier than you think with these clever tips and tricks:
- The Freezing Trick for Cherries: One of the most common challenges with maraschino cherries is how slippery they can be to chop. To make slicing much easier and cleaner, place the maraschino cherries in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes before you chop them. This slightly firms them up, allowing for precise, neat cuts.
- Optimal Storage for Freshness: To keep your Maraschino Cherry Muffins fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their quality for 3 to 5 days. If you’ve baked a larger batch or anticipate needing them for longer, these muffins freeze beautifully. Simply place them in freezer-safe ziplock bags or an airtight container, and they will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave for a quick treat.
- Preventing Sinking Cherries: Have you ever noticed fruit sinking to the bottom of your muffins? This common issue can be easily avoided! Before folding the chopped cherries into the wet batter, toss them gently with a tablespoon or two of the all-purpose flour from your recipe (before you add the flour to the wet ingredients). Coating the cherries in flour creates a barrier that helps them suspend evenly throughout the batter, ensuring you get a lovely burst of cherry in every part of your muffin.
- Avoid Overmixing: This is a golden rule for muffin making. Overmixing the batter develops the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in tough, chewy muffins. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet, even if a few lumps remain.
- Don’t Peek Too Early: Resist the urge to open the oven door frequently while baking. Sudden temperature drops can cause muffins to deflate.
- Fill Muffin Cups Properly: For nicely domed muffins, fill the muffin cups about two-thirds full. If you fill them too little, they’ll be small; too much, and they might overflow.
Other Delicious Muffin Recipes You’ll Enjoy
If you loved these Maraschino Cherry Muffins, you’re sure to enjoy exploring these other fantastic muffin recipes from our collection:
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins: A seasonal favorite, perfect for autumn mornings or a cozy snack.
- Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins: A wholesome and comforting classic, great for a quick breakfast or afternoon treat.
- Carrot Cake Muffins: All the spiced goodness of carrot cake in a convenient muffin form, complete with healthy ingredients.
Maraschino Cherry Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup apple sauce
- 3/4 cup milk *I used skim
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 19 maraschino cherries, chopped into small pieces *tip- freeze them a little for easy chopping
- Pink food coloring
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350F and fill a regular 12 hole muffin tin with paper liners. Parchment paper liners work well and will help prevent sticking.
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In a bowl, whisk the eggs then stir in apple sauce, skim milk, and vanilla.
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Mix in the all purpose flour and baking powder. Fold in the pink food coloring. Depending on what brand you are using, just add a few drops while mixing the batter until you get a pink color.
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Cut the cherries into small pieces – you should get at least 6-8 little pieces.
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Gently fold the chopped cherries into the muffin batter, then divide the batter over the 12 muffin cups.
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Bake for approx 20 minutes, or until the muffins are baked through.
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Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Points plus- 3 using PP calculator
3 points per muffin based on the WW app recipe creator.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Embrace the delightful combination of flavor, fun, and healthy eating with these Maraschino Cherry Muffins. Whether you’re looking for a special Valentine’s Day treat, a vibrant addition to a party spread, or just a wholesome snack to brighten your day, this recipe delivers. Easy to make, low in sugar and fat, and bursting with sweet cherry goodness, they are sure to become a cherished favorite in your home. Happy baking!