Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line 12 compartments of a muffin pan with paper cupcake liners.

Melt the butter or margarine in a microwave or saucepan and remove from heat. Add sugar and mix — sugar will not dissolve.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir together. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine all ingredients except cherries and mix on low speed just until combined.

Using a ladle, spoon batter into muffin pans. Top each muffin with three or four cherries and sprinkle lightly with sugar.

Bake for 20 minutes, until golden.