Cherry Baby Cakes

Makes about 60.

If you make the mini cakes, you'll have plenty to stash - unfrosted - in the freezer in tightly covered containers for up to three months. Thaw and frost when ready to eat more. Or use the batter to make about 16 full-size cupcakes.

1 1/3 cups flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup cherry marmalade or cherry preserves,
    large pieces snipped if necessary

Icing
2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
60 maraschino cherries with stems, drained

To make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 60 (1 3/4-inch) muffin cups with miniature paper bake cups; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add milk, butter, egg and vanilla. Beat on low speed until combined. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Spoon 1 scant teaspoon of batter into each muffin cup. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cherry marmalade and top with 1/2 teaspoon additional batter.

Bake cupcakes about 12 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack.

To make icing: In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until icing reaches drizzling consistency.

To garnish: Pat cherries dry with clean paper toweling. Drizzle each cupcake with about 1/2 teaspoon icing. Dip half of each cherry into remaining icing; place on top of cakes.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories 63; Carbohydrates 13 g; Protein 0 g; Fat 1 g, including sat. fat 1 g; Cholesterol 6 mg; Sodium 36 mg; Dietary fiber 0 g