Grandpa's Pink Cherry Patch Cupcakes

Grandpa Brown had a cherry tree in his backyard. Whenever we cousins were visiting, we'd tumble down the tiny hill in grandpa's manicured backyard. Past the swings. Past the aspens. Cautious of the rotting stump whose tree had fallen on the neighbors house one lighting storm ago. Down. Down. Down. Until our grass-tickled bodies would land under the arching branches.

Gasping for air.

Giggling.

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If it was springtime, we'd stare through the pink blossoms and dream upon the blushing, fruited bounty that would one day arrive. There were days when the fruit peeked forth, and we'd hunt anxiously through the leafy blankets for signs of red ripeness. Impatient for nature to run it's course, we'd relinquish the search and start a game of tag

or hide-and-seek

or kissing cousins

and life would move on, as it always does.

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Then, there were weeks when the berries became. Round and plump, we gather them in our t-shirts, then pop them in mouths and suck their warm juice. Down. Down. Down.

Always spitting out the pits.

Always spitting out the pits.

Because, after all, our mothers said one could choke on the pits. And grandpa said they could grow cherry trees in your insides,

if'n you weren't careful.

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There was the other warning, too.

If you ate too many of grandpa's cherries, The Runs.

We took the warning. But didn't always take it to heart.

We'd much rather tumble and stare and eat and giggle.

Because taking it all in was worth it.

Even if it all came out the other end.

Quite quickly.

Even if.

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Grandpa's Pink Cherry Patch Cupcakes

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Coupled with thick, pink frosting, these dense cupcakes are a happy match. The cupcakes bake up nice and round, so you can fill the cups fuller than you normally might, and not worry about the batter spilling over the edges. Perfect right out of the oven, though they keep well overnight, too. Just be sure to lock them in an airtight castle.

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4 oz. cream cheese

3 eggs

1 c. sugar

1/4 oil

2 tsp. baking powder

pinch salt

2 c. flour

1 T. lemon juice

Cream together cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. Add remainning ingredients. Bake 325 degrees for 18-22 minutes, or centers are cooked through and spring back to the touch. Makes 18 cupcakes.

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Cheery Cherry Chip Frosting

4 oz. cream cheese

2 powdered sugar

2 T. milk

1/4 c. cherry chips, melted

Mix all together with an electric beater until well combined. Add additional milk, if needed to reach desired consistency.

May your day be royally enjoyable.