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Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Cupcakes

Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Cupcakes for Holiday Joy

Delight your guests with these Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Cupcakes, a perfect festive treat for any holiday gathering.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Cupcakes
  • 1 cup buttermilk or whole milk with a splash of vinegar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 3 large egg whites or whole eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil or butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract high-quality preferred
  • 1 teaspoon orange emulsion or orange extract (reduce amount)
  • 1 box white cake mix homemade white cake can be used
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries or frozen
For the Cranberry Filling
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot
For the Buttercream
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips dark chocolate can substitute
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk for lighter option
  • 1 cup unsalted butter or salted butter (reduce salt)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar adjust for consistency
For the Finishing Touches
  • 1 cup granulated sugar for sugared cranberries
  • 1/2 cup white sprinkles optional
  • a few cedar leaves optional

Equipment

  • Cupcake pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Microwave
  • Saucepan
  • piping bag

Method
 

Prepare the Cupcakes
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg whites, buttermilk, sour cream, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and orange emulsion until fully combined.
  3. Gently fold in the white cake mix with a spatula until just incorporated.
Bake
  1. Spoon the cupcake batter into the prepared liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  2. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until tops spring back.
  3. Remove from oven and cool before transferring to a wire rack.
Make Cranberry Filling
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, fresh cranberries, and vanilla extract.
  2. Stir occasionally until cranberries burst, about 10 minutes.
  3. Mix cornstarch with a bit of water, add to cranberry mixture, remove from heat and cool.
Prepare Buttercream
  1. Melt white chocolate chips with heavy cream in microwave, stirring until smooth.
  2. Beat butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Gradually add in melted ganache and powdered sugar until smooth.
Make Sugared Cranberries
  1. Combine equal parts water and sugar in a pot to create a simple syrup.
  2. Once dissolved, add cranberries, steep for about 10 minutes.
  3. Roll cranberries in granulated sugar and let dry on a baking sheet.
Assemble
  1. Once cupcakes are cool, remove centers and fill with cranberry filling.
  2. Frost with white chocolate buttercream and decorate with sprinkles and sugared cranberries.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcakeCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 18gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 4mg

Notes

Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for volume. Avoid overmixing to keep cupcakes light and fluffy. Prepare sugared cranberries ahead for beautiful finishes.

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