3 Cupcake Recipes to Light Up Your Holiday Table
*for Sobreezybabe readers*
The winter holidays are all about bringing warmth, comfort, and joy to friends and family through food. What better way to do that than with a festive batch of homemade cupcakes? In this post, I'm sharing three of my favorite seasonal cupcake recipes that are sure to delight any guest. Each one incorporates warming winter flavors like peppermint, cranberry, and lavender into light and fluffy buttercream frostings. Read on to learn how to make these showstoppers yourself!
Delightful Lemon Lavender Cupcakes
Nothing says relaxation like the soothing scents of lemon and lavender. These delicate lemon cupcakes are infused with just a hint of dried lavender for an aromatherapy experience you can eat.
**Ingredients:**
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, until just blended.
5. Gently fold in the lavender and lemon zest until just combined.
6. Scoop the batter evenly into the prepared liners, filling about 2/3 full.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
These delicate cupcakes are the perfect complement to a light and fluffy lemon buttercream frosting. Simply beat together 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter, softened, 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest until smooth and spreadable. The subtle notes of lavender enhance the bright citrus flavors. Decorated with fresh edible flowers, these cupcakes are sure to be an Instagrammable feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Serve to friends and watch the positive comments roll in!
Cranberry Pistachio Cupcakes
If you love the tart yet sweet flavors of cranberry and pistachio together, you'll swoon for these unusual cupcakes. The vibrant red cranberries and flecks of green pistachio give them irresistible holiday curb appeal.
**Ingredients:**
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/3 cup shelled unsalted pistachios, chopped
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg.
4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, until just blended.
5. Gently fold in the cranberries and pistachios until just combined.
6. Scoop the batter evenly into the prepared liners.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Top these festive cupcakes with a fluffy cranberry cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat together 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2-3 cups powdered sugar until light and spreadable. Swirl in 2 tablespoons cranberry preserves for vibrant color. Garnish with chopped pistachios for an extra holiday crunch. Your guests are sure to request the recipe!
White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
The classic pairing of white chocolate and peppermint comes to life in these showstopping treats. Cool peppermint candies are embedded right in the cupcake batter for an explosion of crisp mint with every bite.
**Ingredients:**
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted and cooled slightly
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the white chocolate and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the sugar, then eggs one at a time.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, alternating with milk. Stir in peppermint extract.
5. Gently fold in crushed candy canes.
6. Scoop batter into liners, filling about 2/3 full.
7. Bake 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
Top with a luscious white chocolate peppermint buttercream. Cream together 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, and 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract until light and fluffy. A garnish of more crushed candy canes ties it all together for the perfect festive finish. Your guests are sure to request the recipe!
Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering or throwing a big holiday blowout, these showstopping cupcake recipes are sure to be the highlight of any celebration. The blend of comforting flavors like cranberry, pistachio, lavender, and peppermint make them the perfect pick-me-up during the long winter months ahead. Get baking and gorge on good vibes!