Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Santa's secret: No one will ever guess these elegant little cakes came from a box of white cake mix and a can of cherries.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Drain cherries, reserving 3/4 cup liquid from cans. Coarsely chop 1/2 cup cherries, and drain well, pressing between paper towels to squeeze out excess juice.
Step 2
Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions; stir chopped cherries into batter.
Step 3
Lightly grease 2 (6-cup) jumbo muffin pans with cooking spray. Spoon batter into 10 muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
Step 4
Bake at 350° for 17 to 19 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pans.
Step 5
Meanwhile, bring remaining cherries, sugar, and reserved cherry liquid to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir together cornstarch and 2 Tbsp. water until combined. Quickly stir cornstarch mixture into cherry mixture, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat, and cool 15 minutes.
Step 6
Hollow out a 2 1/2-inch hole from the top of each muffin. Top each with about 2 Tbsp. cherry mixture.
Step 7
Spoon whipped topping into a medium bowl. Stir in brandy, if desired, just before serving. Dollop mixture over cakes. Serve immediately, or chill 24 hours.
Step 8
Note: We tested with Oregon Fruit Products Pitted Red Tart Cherries In Water.
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