It’s Thursday. Almost the end of the work week, just one more day to go. Now it’s time to start planning what treat you’re going to make this weekend. And pssst…it should TOTALLY be these Cranberry Orange Cupcakes that I happen to be sharing to help support a very great cause.
Not only is it Thursday but it’s October 1st and the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am partnering with KitchenAid for their program “10,000 Cupcakes One Great Cause“. For each person that posts an original recipe on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtags #10000Cupcakes and #Donate, KitchenAid will donate $1 to Susan G. Komen to help support the fight against breast cancer, up to $10,000.
These Cranberry Orange Cupcakes are my original recipe that I baked for the cause. To be honest, when it comes to cupcakes, I am usually a chocolate kind of girl. They are my favorite. But for this recipe, I needed something pink so I decided to think way outside of my cupcake comfort zone and wound up making (and devouring) these Cranberry Orange Cupcakes.
The cupcakes are studded with dried cranberries and have a hint of orange flavor from some grated orange zest. The frosting is simple vanilla buttercream. I added just a few drops of pink food coloring because I was going for the pink theme.
Now to make my Cranberry Orange Cupcakes and my vanilla buttercream, I turned to my trusty KitchenAid stand mixer for help. I got my first one about 5 years ago and won another at a blogging conference and I have never looked back. It is such an amazing help in the kitchen when it comes to baking. And, seriously, it makes some of the best whipped potatoes. EVER.
And that pretty ceramic polka dot bowl in the background is like one of the prettiest things ever. Well. That and this Raspberry Ice Stand Mixer:
I mean seriously just look at that color. Don’t you want one?
Oh you do?
Ok good, because, thanks to KitchenAid I am giving one away today.
Along with this lovely pink polka dot ceramic bowl:
Now, I don’t know about you but I am sure that would make a lovely addition to any kitchen.
All you have to do for your chance to win is leave a comment below telling me your favorite flavor of cupcake. And to learn more about how you can participate in the 10,000 Cupcakes One Great Cause check out the KitchenAid Cook for the Cure website.
GIVEAWAY RULES:
Open to US Residents only.
Only one entry per person.
Giveaway ends Thursday Oct 15, 2015. Winner will be chosen at random. If I do not hear back from the winner within 48 hours, I will pick another winner.
Disclosure: KitchenAid is providing the Stand Mixer to the winner. All opinions are my own.
Servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons orange zest (zest from one large orange)
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 1/2 - 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 - 3 drops red food coloring
- orange zest for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake tin with cupcake liners.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after adding each egg. Beat in vanilla.
- In another bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.
- Slowly add in 1/3 of the dry mixture. Then add in 1/3 of the milk. Repeat alternating until all ingredients have been added.
- Fold in dried cranberries and orange zest. Mix just until combined.
- Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full (about 1/4 cup of mixture). Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven, allow to cool completely.
- Meanwhile make frosting by beating together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract. Beat in 2 tablespoons milk until a stiff spreadable mixture forms. If too stiff, add remaining milk. Beat in food coloring and continue mixing just until frosting turns pink.
- Place frosting in a piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes. Sprinkle orange zest over the top. Serve.
I love classic vanilla cupcakes with dark chocolate frosting.
My favorite is a pumpkin spice cupcake with cream cheese frosting.
I, like you, am a chocolate girl all the way, but I have to say, these cranberry-orange cupcakes are looking mighty delicious.
Red Velvet with Cream Cheese frosting!
My favorite cupcakes are white chocolate raspberry!
I love chocolate cupcakes topped with buttercream frosting
dlatany at gmail dot com
I love a classic chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting!
I like vanilla cupcakes.
rounder9834 @yahoo.com
Favorite flavor has got to be vanilla bean with real buttercream frosting.
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!!! Thank you for the giveaway!
I love carrot cupcakes. kraftmaking at gmail dot com
Piña colada cupcakes – a coconut cupcake filled with a pineapple curd and coconut butter cream! Makes me miss summer already.
lemon cupcakes are my favorite!!!
Leslie:
My favorite cupcake is vanilla bean.
leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com
What a gorgeous mixer and the combination of cranberry and orange sounds delicious!
I love the idea of cranberry orange cupcakes–maybe even MORE than chocolate!!!
First of all these cupcakes look wonderful! I just love the cranberry-orange combo, but I have to say that I am with you on the chocolate cupcakes- they are my fave! :) And what a great cause that Kitchenaid is supporting. <3
What an awesome idea with the cranberry orange cupcakes, I can’t wait to try it! May just replace my favourite cupcake which is strawberry with cream cheese frosting!!
These cupcakes sound soooo delicious and WOW, that hot pink Raspberry Ice stand mixer!!
Pumpkin and Candied Ginger Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. My favorite fall treat!
Chocolate, the richer the better!
Chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting
My favorite is coconut cupcakes with coconut frosting!
Those cupcakes look fantastic! Love the cranberry orange combo!
Yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting!
I love red velvet but I’ve made cranberry and orange scones and they were awesome, so I’m thinking these cupcakes would be too!
My great grandmother used to make molasses cupcakes with vanilla bean frosting. Not the usual cupcake by any stretch, but growing up it was my very favorite thing next to the giant molasses cookies she’d make. Thank you for such a great giveaway!
Coconut cupcakes with coconut frosting are my favorite.
I really love the cherry cupcakes you made, they’re so different and are a big hit at every party i bring them to!
Red velvet is my favorite!
Simplicity wins for me on this one – Vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting. I was an easy kid to please…you’re welcome, mom!
My favorite is chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
The place near my house makes amazing s’mores cupcakes! They’re my new favorite!
These cupcakes are absolutely darling and I imagine you can’t eat just one. Lovely!
My favorite would have to be turtle. Yum, yum!
Oh my goodness, these cupcakes sound amazing!
I am also a chocolate kind of girl when it comes to cupcakes! But orange and cranberry are a really nice pairing and they sound perfect in these cupcakes! Thanks for bringing awareness :)
Hi Des, Like you my favorite flavor cupcake is chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! lol This recipe for Cranberry Orange Cupcakes also sounds delicious and I will be making them! Thanks for the recipe!