Cranberry Cupcakes with Maple Cream-Cheese Frosting

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. and line six 1/2-cup muffin tins with paper liners.

   Step 2

   In a small heatproof bowl cover cranberries with boiling water and soak 5 minutes.

   Step 3

   While cranberries are soaking, into a bowl sift together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch salt. In another bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy and beat in egg, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Stir in flour mixture and milk alternately in several batches, beginning and ending with flour and stirring until smooth

   Step 4

   after each addition.

   Step 5

   Drain cranberries and pat dry. Chop cranberries fine and stir into batter. Divide batter among muffin tins and bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

2. Making frosting while cupcakes are baking:

   Step 6

   In a bowl beat together frosting ingredients until smooth and chill.

3. Step 7

   Turn cupcakes onto a rack and cool 10 minutes. Spread cupcakes with frosting.