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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Festive Cranberry Cupcakes

    Published: Dec 9, 2015 · Modified: Aug 20, 2021 by Kelly Stilwell · This post may contain affiliate links 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Cranberry cupcakes graphic for Pinterest.

    These Cranberry Cupcakes are so delicious and festive for the holidays! So easy to make, these will be the hit of that Christmas party!

    I love cranberry anything, and these holiday cranberry cupcakes are the perfect dessert! I think cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat after a meal.

    I love cranberry anything, and these Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes are the perfect Christmas dessert! I think cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat after a meal and I love them for school parties, too! This recipe has a couple of extra steps, but it's worth it in the end! You will love the results!

    Cupcakes are the perfect dessert for school parties, too, as you don't need forks. One less thing! 

    This cranberry cupcakes recipe has a couple of extra steps, but it's worth it in the end. You will love the results! You'll be adding this cranberry cupcake recipe to your annual Christmas baking list.

    One thing that will make your life easier (and more beautiful!) when decorating cupcakes is a good kit for frosting. This kit has everything you need and it's being offered at a lower price than most. Win-win!

    Ingredients

    For the sugared cranberries, you will need sugar, water, vanilla, and fresh cranberries. You will want to make these the day before baking the cupcakes.

    To make the cupcakes, you'll need cake flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, sugar, eggs, more vanilla, milk, and the candied cranberries.

    For the frosting, you'll be simply mixing cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.

    Instructions

    Combine 2 ½ cups sugar, water, and vanilla in a double boiler over medium heat.

    Stirring occasionally, continue in the double boiler until the sugar has dissolved.

    Stir in the cranberries.

    cranberries in a wooden bowl

    Pull off heat and set aside until pan has slightly cooled.

    Push the cranberries into the syrup.  When cooled, cover and put in the refrigerator overnight.

    Pour the remaining sugar onto a small plate.

    Remove the cranberries from the juice.  Set the juice aside.

    Put the cranberries into the sugar dish and roll with a spoon until well covered.

    Transfer the cranberries to a baking tray for at least one hour or overnight.

    Making the Cupcakes

    Preheat oven to 350.  Line cupcake tins with paper liners.

    Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.

    Using an electric mixer on medium, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.

    Putting the mixer on low, add eggs one at a time.  Mix well after adding each egg.

    Add vanilla and the reserved cranberry juice. Stir to mix.

    While the mixer is still on low, add one-third of your dry ingredients. Blend all ingredients until just combined.

    Pour in ½ of the milk.  Stir gently.

    Begin to add in the rest of the ingredients, alternating dry, wet, dry.  Do not over mix.

    Fill cupcake liners two-thirds with batter.

    Bake on 350 degrees for 20-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    Allow to cool while still in the cupcake pan for about 5 minutes.

    Transfer to a wire rack until they cool completely.

    Making the Frosting

    Mix cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla continuing to mix.

    Once the frosting is at the consistency you like, scoop the frosting into a pastry bag with a large round tip.

    Frost cupcakes, starting at the outside.

    I love cranberry anything, and these Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes are the perfect Christmas dessert! I think cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat after a meal and I love them for school parties, too! This recipe has a couple of extra steps, but it's worth it in the end! You will love the results!

    Work you way into the center, leaving a little peak.

    I love cranberry anything, and these Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes are the perfect Christmas dessert! I think cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat after a meal and I love them for school parties, too! This recipe has a couple of extra steps, but it's worth it in the end! You will love the results! You''ll be adding this Cranberry Bliss Cupcake Recipe to your annual Christmas baking list!

    Add sugared cranberries.

    Transfer to refrigerator until ready to serve.

    I love cranberry anything, and these Cranberry Bliss Cupcakes are the perfect Christmas dessert! I think cupcakes are the perfect sweet treat after a meal and I love them for school parties, too! This recipe has a couple of extra steps, but it's worth it in the end! You will love the results!

    Looking for more Christmas desserts? Check out these Double Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies or these Cranberry Cookies with white chocolate drizzle. Doesn't that sound divine?

    You'll also love these adorable snowman cupcakes!

    • 10 Amazing Cranberry Recipes for the Holidays
    • Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate
    • Homemade Cranberry Salsa
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    • Gingerbread Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
    cranberry cupcakes

    Festive Cranberry Cupcake Recipe

    These festive cranberry cupcakes are perfect for the holidays. Imagine these in the middle of your holiday party table. So pretty!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print this Recipe Pin this Recipe Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 1 hour
    Cook Time: 22 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 587kcal
    Author: Kelly Stilwell

    Ingredients

    Sugared Cranberries

      You will want to make these the day before baking the cupcakes

      • 3¾ Cups sugar divided
      • 1¾ Cups water
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla
      • 12 ounces fresh cranberries small bag

      Cupcake Ingredients

      • 3 Cups cake flour
      • 2 teaspoon baking powder
      • ½ teaspoon salt
      • 1 Cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, room temperature
      • 2 Cups sugar
      • 3 eggs room temp
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla
      • 1 Tablespoon candied cranberries juice see directions
      • 1 Cup whole milk

      Frosting Ingredients

      • 16 oz cream cheese 2 blocks, room temp
      • ½ Cup unsalted butter 1 stick, room temperature
      • 4 Cups powdered sugar
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla

      Instructions

      How to Make Sugared Cranberries

      • Combine 2 ½ cups sugar, water, and vanilla in a double boiler over medium heat.
      • Stirring occasionally, continue in the double boiler until the sugar has dissolved.
      • Stir in the cranberries.
      • Pull off heat and set aside until pan has slightly cooled.
      • Push the cranberries into the syrup.  When cooled, cover and put in the refrigerator overnight.
      • Pour the remaining sugar onto a small plate.
      • Remove the cranberries from the juice.  Set the juice aside.
      • Put the cranberries into the sugar dish and roll with a spoon until well covered.
      • Transfer the cranberries to a baking tray for at least one hour or overnight.

      How to Make Cupcakes

      • Preheat oven to 350º.  Line cupcake tins with paper liners.
      • Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
      • Using an electric mixer on medium, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
      • Putting the mixer on low, add eggs one at a time.  Mix well after adding each egg.
      • Add vanilla and the reserved cranberry juice. Stir to mix.
      • While the mixer is still on low, add one-third of your dry ingredients. Blend all ingredients until just combined.
      • Pour in ½ of the milk.  Stir gently.
      • Begin to add in the rest of the ingredients, alternating dry, wet, dry.  Do not over mix.
      • Fill cupcake liners two thirds with batter.
      • Bake on 350 degrees for 20-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
      • Allow to cool while still in the cupcake pan for about 5 minutes.
      • Transfer to a wire rack until they cool completely.

      How to Make Frosting

      • With an electric mixer beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
      • Add vanilla and mix well.
      • Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until completely combined.
      • Test to see if the frosting can form and hold a stiff peak by taking a spoonful of frosting and turning the spoon upside down. If the frosting stays on the spoon it is ready.
      • If not, add more powdered sugar ½ C at a time and mix well. Test again to make sure that the frosting can make and hold a stiff peak.

      Notes

      It's best to make the sugared cranberries the night before.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1 | Calories: 587kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 172mg | Sugar: 88g
      Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @kastilwell or tag #FFFP!
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      Food, Fun & Faraway Places participates in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Audrey

        December 21, 2015 at 5:52 pm

        GORGEOUS! And the recipe sounds just as tasty. Thanks for sharing on the #HomeMattersParty . I hope you will join us again in the new year.

        Reply
        • Kelly Stilwell

          December 21, 2015 at 8:57 pm

          Thank you, Audrey! You know I will! appreciate the compliment!

          Reply

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      Welcome! Food, Fun & Faraway Places® is a travel and food blog written by Kelly Stilwell. From delicious recipes to world travel, we’ve got you covered! Contact Kelly at kastilwell@gmail.com.

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