Pom Wonderful Valentines Cupcake Contest Recipe

Another recipe contest caught my eye via Pom Wonderful and I was admittedly hesitant to enter because the winner was determined by number of votes online – which made it more of a popularity contest than about quality of recipe.  BUT since every entry equaled a dollar donated to the American Heart Association, I decided to give it a shot anyway!

The recipe submitted needed to have a Valentine theme and include Pom Wonderful juice in the recipe.  So this  is what I came up with while watching Gwenyth and Cee Lo shake it at The Grammys. 🙂

Honey, Pucker Up! Cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 oz Bottle of Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
1/4 cup Lemon Juice

Frosting Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

½ cup honey

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Cupcake Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 1 muffin pan with cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Make a well in the center, and add oil, honey, white sugar, brown sugars, eggs, vanilla, Pom Wonderful and lemon juice.

Stir together well to make a thick, well-blended batter, making sure that no ingredients are stuck to the bottom.

Fill each cupcake liner ¾ full. Bake about 30 minutes. Makes approximately a dozen cupcakes.

Frosting Directions

Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix until there is a good spreading consistency.  Add more powdered sugar if necessary. Spread generously on cooled cupcakes and enjoy!

Alas, I didn’t get enough votes to get in the top 3, but when I shared this creation with the guards and maintenance crew  at work, they gave it a thumbs up and I think you will, too! 🙂