Black Forest Cupcakes with Simple Cherry Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour twelve 2 1/2-inch muffin cups or line with paper bake cups that have been coated with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

To prepare Black Forest Cupcakes: In a medium bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together buttermilk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, egg, and, if desired, liqueur. Add milk mixture to flour mixture. Beat with a wire whisk just until combined.

Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling each two-thirds to three-fourths full. Bake about 14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire rack.

To prepare Simple Cherry Sauce: Place 1 1/2 cups red cherries in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Transfer pureed cherries to a small saucepan. Stir in 3/4 cup red cherries and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Heat and stir just until boiling. Cool slightly before serving.

To serve, pool a scant 2 tablespoons cherry sauce on each dessert plate. Cut cupcakes in half and arrange two halves on sauce on each plate. Add a dollop of about 2 tablespoons whipped topping to each dessert.