1.13.2010

Cranberry orange and cardamom mini cakes

Ugh! It's such a dark, blustery, Winnie-the-Pooh kind of day. How is a girl supposed to get an outdoor blog photo shoot finished when it's raining cats and dogs? Honestly!

I managed to run out in between showers. I love the feel to the outdoor lighting much better, even on rainy days.

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I bought these cranberries around the holidays. I stuck them in my freezer and then forgot all about them...until today.

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I really love the flavor of cranberry and orange together. How about you?

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This is my very first time using cardamom in a recipe. It smells divine!

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I had a tough time deciding between a muffin, a cupcake, or a cake. Finally, I chose a mini cake. I just love mini cakes, they are the perfect little treat!

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I threw together a citrus icing to finish off these little cakes.

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I was really pleased with them. They were tangy and very moist. Definitely worth a repeat performance!

Cranberry Orange and Cardamom Mini Cakes
by theUngourmet

makes 12 mini cakes

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
2 eggs
6 tbsp melted butter (cooled to room temp)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup half and half
1 tbsp orange zest
1 cup chopped fresh cranberries

Citrus Icing

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2-3 tsp orange juice
2-3 tsp half and half
1 tsp orange zest

Lightly grease a muffin pan. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, butter,vanilla, agave, oj, half and half, zest, and cranberries. Whisk well. Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Stir just until combined.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 16-18 minutes. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing cakes from muffin pan. Place on a cooling rack and cool completely.

For the icing: Combine the vanilla, oj, half and half, and orange zest. Add the powdered sugar and stir to combine. Adjust oj and half and half to reach the desired consistency.

Print recipe

Happy Wednesday! :D

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45 comments:

susan said...

Kim-Glad you got your pictures done--it looks scrumptious. I have never used cardamom either, but your pictures make me want to try this recipe. I DO love cranberry and orange together!

Claudia said...

Adore orange and cranberry together.How did you know? This is in my future. Have all the ingredients, am smelling the aroma and your pictures are gorgeous!

Catherine said...

I love the way these look! They look so fresh and tempting! Your blog is so nice.

~Kathie~ said...

I am going to have to print this out- I LOVE cranberry and orange!

And your pictures look great!!

Chef E said...

HELLO MY BABY CAKE!!! Citrus is calling my name, what an adorable little cake you have there *bite* said the big bad wolf!

Velva said...

Kim, the outdoor lighting was perfect. Looks like the cloudy and rainy weather kept the harsh sunlight out.
Those many cakes really rock! Orange and cranberry is a fabulous flavor combination.

Anonymous said...

I love cranberry and orange together, too. The mini cakes look so good!

Delicious Dishings said...

I love mini cakes too. And the cranberry orange combo is one of my favorites. We have a cranberry orange yogurt muffin at the bakery right now, and I'm pretty much obsessed with it. I've never baked with cardamom -- I'm not sure why though because I do love the flavor. Beautiful cakes!

teresa said...

your pictures are fantastic! this looks so good, i want it for breakfast!

QIS said...

This mini cake looks heavenly! i love citric taste. orange and cranberry sound like a great combo!!

Faith said...

Despite the weather, your pics came out lovely! These sound really incredible, and I know what you mean about cardamom -- it smells amazing!

sophia said...

Wow, Kim...your pictures get better and better each day! This sounds super amazing..Never thought to put that spice in here with the cranberry and orange! Genius!

Fresh Local and Best said...

This looks like an incredible cake! The photos are stunning!

Jenn said...

lovely photos. Fruity baked goodness perfect for breakfast or a snack. yum!!!

debra@dustjacket said...

Oh my gosh, that looks so delicious. Your photo's look great to me!
xxx

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Orange and cranberry seemto b a classic combination. This litte cakes are definitely worth repeating.

Joanne said...

I agree with you - outdoor lighting is the best. There is only one light in my entire apartment that makes for good photos...so frustrating!

But you know what is not frustrating? These delicious mini cakes. Cranberries and orange are a match made in heaven. Plus I absolutely adore cardamom in baked goods. Yum!

Donna-FFW said...

These look spectacular. Mini cakes are the perfect dessert. I love the cranberry orange combo too!!

TKW said...

I don't know about you, Piglet, but these cakes look like just the thing to take the chill off a blustery day! Yum!

NKP said...

Wonderful flavours! I love cardamom and it pairs so perfectly with orange. Great idea to use cranberry for a tart kick.

The imPerfect Housewife said...

I just discovered cranberry and organge together a couple years ago and it's become a favorite of mine. Those look awesome and I can taste them already! ♥

Jeannie said...

Great shots and yummy looking cakes! I wonder if your family ever said you are wierd for taking pictures of every dish that you've created? Mine do...they hv to pause and allow me to take some pictures before they can dig in. LOL!

Anonymous said...

Such scrumptious mini cakes! I love the addition of cardamom!

noble pig said...

Those turned out really cute. Citrus on cold day is always a welcome treat.

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

Your pictures are beautiful. Orange and cranberry is a winning combination and always welcome in my house.

Mary Bergfeld said...

These really look delicious! Cranberry orange is one of those combinations that's hard to beat. The addition of cardamom will take it over the top.

Dajana said...

What a tempting girl you are ;)
They look beautiful.
And I love cranberry/orange combo, I made cookies for Christmas (that I still have in my freezer, yay!)

chow and chatter said...

oh wow these look amazing and great snaps despite the rain love it lol

Linda said...

First, I love cranberry and orange together and I love cardamom which I just discovered the wonderful flavor of about 3 years ago. These look wonderful and I have saved the recipe to give these a try.

Reeni said...

What gorgeous little cakes! I love the flavor combo! And your pictures are so pretty, despite the rain.

Michelle said...

OH WOW..your photos are wonderful. The orange zest is the perfect touch!

jacqueline said...

I LOVE cranberry and a combination with orange and cardamom sounds yummie! Thanks for sharing this wonderful mini cakes recipe! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to yoU!

Lickedspoon said...

These look so good. What a terrific combination of colours and flavours - perfect for these dreary January days. Lovely photographs, too.

yummy recipes said...

Hi,the muffins looks delicious...I just wanted to ask what is half and half?..I didn't get it...thanks for sharing.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

wow... that is a beautiful presentation!

Randi Troxell said...

oh my these looks just so gorgeous and way yummy!!

have a wonderful wkend!!!

Erica said...

The pictures are beautiful! I love the cranberry-orange combo.

pam said...

You're right, the lighting is perfect. I think it's even better when it's cloudy.

koralee said...

These sweet little cakes look adorable!!!! I do love cranberry and orange together! Your images are always the best! xoxo

Julia said...

Hi Kim!!
I have been such a looser this week. Too much work!! Tres frustrating.

You food looks heavenly. It's a nice break to come and see what's cooking. :)

Bye for now!

ck said...

Oh man, Kim. That looks so good. I love cranberries and oranges together. I'm bookmarking this recipe!

Angie's Recipes said...

The pictures look wonderful! I do love cranberry and orange a lot.

Krista said...

The pictures look wonderful and those cakes look absolutely delicious! I'm a big fan of cranberry and orange in baked goods. Love this recipe.

pigpigscorner said...

I like cranberry and orange combo too. Added orange into my cranberry sauce last year,so good! The cake looks great! Must be really aromatic with the cardamon.

Kate at Serendipity said...

Uh. Oh. Cardamom. One of my favorite flavors. Mixed with orange is even better! Now if you throw a little chocolate in there...

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