Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Happy first day of spring!

I bring you cupcakes and pink frosting.  Life is good.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Cupcakes will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I love their versatility, portability factor, and the endless possibilities they present!

They are the dessert equivalent of a blank canvas.

Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

So when Better Homes & Gardens asked me to put my own spin on one of their recipes, my mind immediately became fixated on cupcakes.  I had a one-track mind.

I discovered these spiked raspberry lemonade cupcakes and never looked back.  Firstly, they are spiked with Chambord.  Secondly, they involve citrus.

It was meant to be.

Dried Raspberries in Food Processor

Instead of following the recipe exactly and tinting the frosting with red food coloring, I chose to go au naturale and naturally tint (and flavor) the frosting with freeze dried raspberries.

Freeze Dried Raspberry Powder

Did you know that you can process freeze-dried raspberries into a powder and use it to flavor or decorate baked goods?

Oh yes.  Yes, you can.

Spiked Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Find the full recipe here.