Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup sugar2 teaspoons baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1 egg1/2 cup milk1/4 cup canola oil1 jar (10 ounces) red maraschino cherries3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips1/2 cup chopped pecans1 cup confectioners’ sugarSoftened cream cheese, optional
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Drain cherries, reserving 2 tablespoons of juice for glaze (discard remaining juice or save for another use). Chop cherries; fold the chips, pecans and cherries into the batter.
Drop by tablespoonfuls into greased or paper-lined heart-shaped or miniature muffin cups. Bake at 375° for 10-13 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Combine confectioners’ sugar and reserved cherry juice to make a thin glaze; drizzle over muffins. Serve with cream cheese if desired.
