Cranberry Christmas Cupcakes
Cranberry Christmas Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
For the Garnish
- 12 fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon red sprinkles
- 1 tablespoon white sprinkles
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, for dusting
- 2 candy canes, crushed, optional
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and large eggs until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 350
- 7
Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This passive cooling time is crucial before frosting.
⏱️ 30 min
- 8
While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and heavy cream until the frosting is light and fluffy.
⏱️ 10 min
- 10
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting generously onto each cupcake.
⏱️ 5 min
- 11
Garnish each cupcake with a fresh cranberry, red sprinkles, white sprinkles, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. If desired, add crushed candy canes.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cranberry Christmas Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cupcakes
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
For the Garnish
- 12 fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon red sprinkles
- 1 tablespoon white sprinkles
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, for dusting
- 2 candy canes, crushed, optional
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and large eggs until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 350 - 7
Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This passive cooling time is crucial before frosting.
⏱️ 30 min - 8
While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract and heavy cream until the frosting is light and fluffy.
⏱️ 10 min - 10
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting generously onto each cupcake.
⏱️ 5 min - 11
Garnish each cupcake with a fresh cranberry, red sprinkles, white sprinkles, and a light dusting of powdered sugar. If desired, add crushed candy canes.
⏱️ 5 min