Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Preserve Butter Cream

it's hot outside.

i don't just mean warm summer days with a cooling breezy night.

I mean, it's hot. Like a 100 degrees in the shade. even the light breeze feels like heat from the oven. it's almost uncomfortable to breathe. like the heat hurts your throat.

this heat makes me think of one thing- ice cream.

i know, a little unsettling. but i love ice cream. unfortunately i don't have an ice cream maker.

**reminder to future emily, get an ice cream maker**

but i do have the neccessary ingredients for cupcakes. since my favorite flavor is cherry vanilla....let's try that in a cupcake.

Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes

1/2 c butter, room temp
2/3 to 1 c sugar( depends on how sweet you like it)
3 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond
zest of one small lemon
1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c milk

Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts and lemon peel. Mix flour, salt, and baking powder, stir in and then beat in milk.
Pour into lined muffin cups and bake 18-20 minutes at 350.
let cool before frosting

Cherry Preserve Butter Cream

3 cups powdered sugar
1.3 c. butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 tblsp. milk
1/4 c. cherry preserves

With an electric mixer at low speed, mix the powdered sugar and butter together. Once combined, add vanilla and milk. Increase speed of mixer to medium and beat for 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth and of spreading consistency. Add the cherry preserves and beat on low speed until incorporated.

**Secret**
To make these extra special, pipe some extra cherry preserves into the center of each cupcake. it makes them extra cherry and leaves a special surprise for the lucky eaters :)