The Story:
I’ll admit it, I don’t always taste my own cupcakes. But someone who ate these last night said “They taste like Christmas.” So if you’re looking for some of Santa’s elves to dance on your tongue, then head out to the grocery store to pick up some eggnog for these cuties!

Cranberry Eggnog Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 C. oil
- 1 C. eggnog
- 1/2 C. plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 C. fresh cranberries chopped
Eggnog Buttercream:
- 1 C. butter softened
- 1/2 tsp. spiced apple cider mix optional
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 3 Tbsp. eggnog
- 3-4 C. powdered sugar
Instructions
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcakes liners.
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2. Sift cake mix and nutmeg into a small bowl and set aside.
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3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, egg nog, sour cream and vanilla extract.
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4. Stir in cake mix/nutmeg until smooth.
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5. Fold in cranberries, fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 17-22 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
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6. Buttercream: beat butter for 2 minutes. Add cider mix, nutmeg and eggnog. Slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and add more nutmeg or cider mix.
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7. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles.
One of my favorite holiday flavor combinations. I have a muffin I make with egg nog and cranberries and Tessa said the same thing the first time she had one – Tastes like Christmas!!
Even though I don’t like eggnog as a drink I must make these!
These are amazing and really want to make them! What is spiced apple cider mix? Is there a substitute?
spiced apple cider mix comes in little packets from the grocery store like hot chocolate mix. You can just omit it and the eggnog, but it won’t be as strong.
Hi! Cassie asked the same question I had… haven’t seen spiced apple cider mix in the stores around here (no great surprise, since this isn’t exactly a booming metropolis). So what’s in the mix – and is there a substitute for it, like cinnamon, perhaps… Thanks!
There are a lot of random things in the mix. I created this recipe by accident this summer and found out it tastes just like eggnog, haha. Just use extra eggnog and use the nutmeg to taste.
Hi! So by fresh cranberries do you mean the ones you buy and then cook for cranberry sauce? (I know dumb question but I have never come across a recipe that called for anything except dried . . .)
Yes, the ones you find in the produce section that you use in cranberry sauce. You can use dried if you want, but I like the fresh 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I plan on trying these out this next week 🙂
Ok, So I just want to clarify a little bit too before I try this recipe. If dried cranberries are used, would it be the same amount, 2 cups, used? Has anyone tried it both ways and does it alter the taste or anything else by using dried cranberries? Reason is, maybe I overlooked them, but I couldn’t find any fresh cranberries and I’ve never made anything with fresh ones before, only dried. So excited and a little nervous to experiment.
Also, You can leave out the apple cider mix and just use extra nutmeg and egg eggnog correct, and how much extra? Cause I may have to do that too…
Try reconstituting the dried cranberries in water for 15 minutes. I had a recipe that called for that.Maybe it would work here?:
I would still use about 2 cups of dried cranberries. As for the buttercream, just taste as you go to know how much extra nutmeg and eggnog to put in. Good luck!
Hi Lizzie, The kitchen aid giveaway thing didn’t work for me so . I posted it on pinterest and I already follow you . The first thing I would make would be your tiramisu cupcakes because I have a obsession with tiramisu . (The second thing I would make would be your Cookies and Cream cupcakes.) I love your website and I wish you a merry Christmas!!! (I hope I win!!)
Hi! Love your recipes. I have tried making your earlier recipe for eggnog cranberry cupcakes with white chocolate spiced buttercream and they will not rise. The flavor is amazing and I really want to make these, but I’m not sure what i’m doing wrong. Just wanted to make sure the measurements were right.
I made them for my class and they just about had a fight over the last one! They were super yummy!
I made these last night, the cake was very delish! I also have to say, that I have never worked with fresh cranberry’s before – they were DELISH! I love how the baked and the slight texture the give the cupcakes. VERY delish cake, I will definitly make these again 🙂
Next time, I may a splash or too or spiced rum 😉
Just made these…DELICIOUS! They do taste like Christmas!!!!! Thank you!!
These are gorgeous and I’m sure they taste amazing. PINNED.
What tip did you use to pipe the frosting?
I made these the other night for a baking competition at an office holiday party. They were amazing!! I made some with blueberries instead of cranberries for my friends who aren’t cranberry fans, and I added a little bit of cinnamon. They were a hit, and I won first place!! 😀 Thank you for the great recipe!!!!
YAY!!! I love a good win in a baking competition!
I have made these twice now. They are so delicious and I get so many compliments! Merry Christmas!
Have you ever made these as Mini’s?
Nope, but I’m sure they would be wonderful! Chop the cranberries up maybe a little bit more and reduce the baking time to 9-12 minutes (some mini pans are smaller than others, so baking times can vary)
Can I make these cupcakes with spice cake mix?
Yes you can!
Dear Lizzy,
Thank you very, very much for the taste of Christmas! 🙂
My whole family just loved your recipe, I guess Santa’s elves are pretty good dancers ;).
Thank you once again and I wish you Happy Holidays! 🙂
Oh good!Happy to spread these fabulous Christmas flavors!
My dad asked for these for his birthday (Back in February!). I thought I’d have to resort to homemade Nog, but luckily, one of the local dairy companies came out with “Easter” Nog. Also used Craisins that soaked for a little bit, since I couldn’t find fresh cranberries this time of year. They smell amazing! 🙂
Can you leave out the cranberries ?
made these today and my buttercream was a disaster 🙁 I followed the directions and used the right amounts but it’s like there’s too much fat/butter. What could be the cause?