Description
Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Cupcakes are soft, fluffy, and bursting with bright citrus, tart cranberries, and creamy white chocolate. These festive cupcakes are perfect for holidays, special occasions, or when you’re craving a sweet treat with a zingy twist. Topped with a smooth orange-infused frosting, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
- ½ cup white chocolate chips or chunks
For the frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2–2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons orange juice (to desired consistency)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 2 oz cream cheese for a tangy twist
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with dry.
- Gently fold in chopped cranberries and white chocolate.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Add cream cheese if using. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with extra orange zest, white chocolate shavings, or sugared cranberries if desired.
Notes
- For dried cranberries, soak them in orange juice for 10 minutes to rehydrate before using.
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of Grand Marnier to the batter or frosting.
- Use dairy-free substitutes for a vegan-friendly version.
- These cupcakes also work well as a single-layer 8″ cake (bake 30–35 minutes).
- Sugared cranberries make a festive garnish—roll cooked cranberries in sugar and let dry.
