Cherry Amish Friendship Bread Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Step 1
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners.

Step 2
In a mixing bowl, stir together the Amish friendship bread starter, eggs, vegetable oil, 1/2 cup milk, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined. Mix in the flour and cherry gelatin powder. Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake cups.

Step 3
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool.

Step 4
In a large bowl, beat the vegetable shortening with butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, and add the vanilla extract. Beat in confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, stopping often to scrape down the sides of the bowl; mix in the milk, and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. Spread on cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle each cupcake with a few white chocolate chips, if desired.