Hey!

I am going to bring in some chocolate cupcakes to work tomorrow - and
I wanted to add a little garnish and have some maraschino cherries on top of each - how long can the cherries stay out for? I was thinking of putting them on now and not putting the cupcakes in the fridge. Just on the counter overnight...
Or should I add them in the morning, and bring to work - won't be served until about 1:00pm.. TIA

I've had maraschino cherries on Christmas cookies before that stay out for possibly a week or more, but these were baked onto the cookie. I would just make sure they are drained well and maybe put on your cupcakes as close to the time they will be eaten as possible. Not so much for safety's sake, but in case they may "leak" onto your cuppies. HTH

I found this website http://www.organizeyourlife.org/expiration.htm and you should be fine leaving them out overnight.
Maraschino cherries:
Unopened: 3 to 4 years
Opened: 2 weeks at room temperature; 6 months refrigerated

Your cherries should be fine on your cupcakes over night. I would suggest draining them well, and then blotting them with a paper towel to remove all excess moisture.

We used them on the tops of the cake in the bakery I worked at to mark a vanilla cake from a chocolate cake.
Cakes had a shelf life of 3 days in the glass counter before we pitched them.

Your cherries should be fine at room temperature, overnight.


Best of luck,
tokazodo