Ingredients
Method
1.Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan forced). Line 20 holes of two 12-hole (-cup/80ml) muffin pans with paper cases.
2.Break chocolate into a small saucepan, add cocoa powder and the water, stir over low heat until smooth. Transfer mixture to a large bowl of an electric mixer, cool 10 minutes.
3.Add butter, eggs, sugar, extract, sour cream and sifted flours and soda to the chocolate mixture. Beat with an electric mixer, on low speed, until combined. Increase speed to medium, beat about 2 minutes or until mixture is smooth and changed to a paler colour. Stir in dried cherries.
4.Divide mixture evenly into paper cases. Bake about 20 minutes. Stand cupcakes in pan 5 minutes before turning, top-side up, onto wire rack to cool.
5.Meanwhile, make chocolate cherry ganache. Break chocolate into a medium heatproof bowl, add cream and liqueur, stir over a medium saucepan of simmering water until smooth (don’t let water touch base of bowl). Remove from heat. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until thick. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.
6.Spoon ganache into piping bag fitted with a 2cm (¾-inch) fluted tube, pipe ganache over cupcakes. Grate extra chocolate, sprinkle over cakes, top with fresh cherries.
