Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup standard size cupcake tin with paper liners. Spray each with nonstick cooking spray.
Lightly whisk milk, egg whites, and vanilla extract in large glass measuring cup.
Mix cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in the bowl of a stand electric mixer and add butter; beating at low speed until mixture resembles moist crumbs, with no large clumps of flour.
Add 3/4 of the milk mixture to the crumbs and beat at medium speed 1-2 minutes. Add remaining milk mixture and beat 30 seconds more. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for 20 seconds longer at low speed.
Evenly distribute the batter in the cupcake tin add a single cherry into each cupcake. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the cupcakes from the pan carefully and let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.