### Small Cranberry Cakes Recipe
#### Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (if using frozen, do not thaw)
#### For the Glaze:
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 2-3 tablespoons cranberry juice (or milk for a simpler glaze)
– Zest of 1 orange (optional)
#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. **Cream the Butter and Sugar:**
– In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. **Add the Eggs and Vanilla:**
– Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. **Fold in the Cranberries:**
– Gently fold the cranberries into the batter using a spatula.
7. **Fill the Muffin Tin:**
– Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
8. **Bake the Cakes:**
– Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. **Prepare the Glaze:**
– In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cranberry juice (or milk) until smooth. If using, stir in the orange zest.
10. **Glaze the Cakes:**
– Once the cakes are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Enjoy your delicious small cranberry cakes!
