Festive Chocolate Cranberry Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Recipe by:
Prep Time
25 min
Cook Time
25 min
Yield
12
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Rich, moist chocolate cupcakes studded with tart cranberries are topped with silky chocolate frosting and finished with sparkling sugared cranberries, fragrant rosemary, and mini chocolate pine trees for a festive holiday touch. Perfect for holiday celebrations or gift-giving.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup buttermilk

½ cup sour cream

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

For the Chocolate Frosting

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 ¾ cups powdered sugar

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3–4 tbsp heavy cream or milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

For Garnish

½ cup cranberries

2–3 tbsp granulated sugar

Small rosemary sprigs

Preparation

Prepare the Cupcakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, then vanilla extract.
  4. Mix in the dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk and sour cream, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Fold in cranberries gently.
  5. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the Chocolate Frosting

  1. Beat butter until creamy.
  2. Sift in powdered sugar and cocoa powder; beat on low speed to combine.
  3. Add vanilla, salt, and cream gradually, beating until smooth and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.

Nutrition

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Information per Serving
Serving Size 1
Calories 350
Fat 18g
Saturated Fat 10g
Cholesterol 65mg
Sodium 120mg
Carbohydrates 45g
Dietary Fiber 3g
Protein 4g

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