Description
Cranberry Orange Cupcakes are moist, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Sweet and tart cranberries pair perfectly with bright orange zest, creating a festive and flavorful cupcake. Topped with a creamy orange-infused frosting, they are ideal for holidays or any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped if large
- For Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp orange juice
- 1/2 tsp orange zest
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Combine: Alternately add dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Gently fold in cranberries.
- Fill and bake: Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth and pipeable.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with extra cranberries or orange zest if desired.
Notes
For best results, use fresh cranberries or thawed frozen cranberries. Lightly coat cranberries with flour before folding into batter to prevent sinking. Frost cupcakes after they have fully cooled to avoid melting the buttercream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: cranberry orange cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, citrus dessert, festive cupcakes, fruity cupcakes