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–+ servings
Cranberry cupcakes on cake stand.

Cranberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Amanda Keefer
Enjoy a new spin on cupcakes with this lightened-up cranberry cupcake recipe! It’s made with canned cranberry sauce and topped with a cranberry cream cheese frosting for a sweet, but not too sweet, dessert.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 205 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Cupcakes

  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup canned cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting

  • 8 oz. cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 2 Tbsp. canned cranberry sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Cupcakes
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Mix in cranberry sauce, butter, honey and vanilla.
  • Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients until just combined.
  • Fill muffin cups to about ¾ full. Bake 16-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (ovens can vary, check at 16 minutes). Remove from oven and let cool 2-3 minutes before removing from muffin tin and letting cool on wire rack.
  • Frosting
  • Beat cream cheese, yogurt, cranberry sauce, honey and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. 
  • Spread evenly on top of cooled cupcakes before serving.

Video

Notes

  • The recipe makes 12-16 cupcakes, depending on the size of your muffin tin.
  • Make sure to let your cream cheese soften at room temperature before making the frosting. This will make it much easier to mix.
  • Refrigerate leftover cupcakes. Take out of refrigerator and store at room temperature for an hour if you want them "warmed up" for eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcakeCalories: 205kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 3gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 162mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 406IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg
Keyword baking, cranberries, cranberry cupcakes, cupcakes, healthier desserts
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