Cosmo Cupcakes

A local bakery here in Denver, Happy Cakes, makes these wonderful cupcakes ever Friday and they inspired me to make some at home.

I printed this cupcake recipe over a year ago and have no idea where it came from. If this looks familiar to anyone out there I apologize!

This is my alcohol-free, kid-friendly version of the Cosmopolitan Cupcake. In parentheses I’ve added where alcohol can be placed for a nice adult treat.

Cupcakes

1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temperature

2 c. sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 t. salt

2 1/2 t. baking powder

3 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 c. buttermilk

3/4 c. cranberry pomegranate juice concentrate, thawed

zest of 1 lime

1 c. dried cranberries

red food coloring (optional – drops depend on the desired darkness)

Glaze

1/4 c. cranberry pomegranate juice concentrate

1/4 c. vodka (I omitted this)

Frosting

1/2 c. salted butter

4 c. powdered sugar

5 to 6 T. cranberry pomegranate juice concentrate 

1 t. orange extract

(in place of cranberry juice and orange extract use 3 T Cointreau and juice from 1 lime)

Whip ’em up…

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line muffin pan with paper & foil liners.

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attached, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add the eggs one at a time until well combined.

Combine all the dry ingredients into a separate bowl.

Combine the buttermilk, cranberry juice, zest and dried cranberries in another bowl.

Alternating 1 cup at at a time, slowly incorporate the dry and wet ingredients into the egg and sugar mixture.

When incorporated if the batter isn’t pink enough for your taste add a few drops of red food coloring (I added 5 drops).

Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. 

Cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then brush with glaze while slightly warm. 

While the cupcakes cool, beat the butter, sugar, juice and extract on high speed until fluffy.

Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost and serve!

Print this Recipe!

Posted on February 10, 2011
This entry was posted in cakes and tagged cranberry juice, happy cakes, kid-friendly treat, orange extract.