Dried Cherry And Pistachio Cupcakes Recipes

DRIED CHERRY AND PISTACHIO CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and egg whites on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Beat in cream cheese until blended. In small bowl, toss 1 cup cherries and 1/2 cup nuts with flour; stir into batter. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
• Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Frost cupcakes with vanilla frosting. Garnish with 3/4 cup cherries and 1/2 cup nuts.

CHERRY PISTACHIO BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and cinnamon on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, gradually add the 2 whole eggs, the egg yolk (reserve the egg white), and vanilla and mix until combined, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula.
• In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, almond meal, baking powder and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry mixture to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing only until combined. Scrape down the bowl and beater and make sure all the ingredients are combined. Stir in the pistachios and cherries.
• Roll the dough into a ball on a well-floured board and cut in half. With floured hands, roll each piece into a cylinder about 11 inches long by 2 inches in diameter and place them 3 inches apart on the prepared sheet pan.
• Place the reserved egg white in a bowl and beat with a whisk for 15 seconds. Brush the logs with the egg white (save the rest!) and sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon of turbinado sugar. Bake for 45 minutes, until lightly browned (the logs will be soft). Cool for 30 minutes.
• Turn the oven down to 275 degrees F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. With a serrated knife, slice the biscotti 1/2 inch thick at a full 45-degree angle. Place the slices cut-side up on the prepared sheet pans. Brush them with the egg white and sprinkle generously with turbinado sugar. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, turning each slice once, until browned and fully baked. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

CHERRY-PISTACHIO BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using a stand mixer, beat the butter and the sugar together until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, incorporating each egg fully before adding the next. Add the vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. With the mixer on low, stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Stir in the dried cherries and pistachios. Cut the dough in half and place the dough on the prepared baking sheet. Shape into 2 logs, each about 12 inches long.
• Bake until just starting to brown at the edges, about 20 minutes. Cut each log on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-wide slices. Place the slices back on the baking sheet. Bake on the first side for 5 minutes. Remove, turn the biscotti over to the second side and bake until the biscotti are crisp, an additional 5 minutes. Let cool.

CHERRY PISTACHIO BARK

Steps:

• Line 15x10-inch pan with sides with waxed paper. In small microwavable bowl, microwave cherries and water uncovered on High 2 minutes; drain.
• In 2-quart heavy saucepan, heat baking chips and candy coating over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Remove from heat; stir in cherries and nuts. Spread in pan.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Cut with 3-inch tree-shaped cookie cutter (or desired shape). Store tightly covered at room temperature.