Zesty Lemon Cranberry Bliss Bites
Indulge in the delightful taste of Zesty Lemon Cranberry Bliss Bites, perfectly created to tantalize your taste buds and brighten any occasion. These mini lemon drops burst with refreshing lemon flavor, thanks to a combination of lemon cake mix and fresh lemon juice, complemented by a creamy lemon glaze that transforms them into an irresistible treat. Although the sugared cranberries are optional, they add a touch of festive elegance that makes these bites stand out. Perfect for parties, holidays, or any gathering, these delightful treats are sure to impress your guests. Prepare the sugared cranberries in advance for an added touch of sweetness and color, making these bites even more special. Enjoy a batch of 100 servings that are easy to make and impossible to resist!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lemon cake mix
1 box (18 1/4 ounce) (none)
Vanilla instant pudding mix
1 package (3 1/2 ounce) (none)
Large eggs
4 (beaten)
Reduced-fat sour cream
1 1/4 cups (none)
Milk
1/2 cup (none)
Confectioners' sugar
1 1/4 cups (divided)
Grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons (none)
Unsalted butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Lemon juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
Hot water
1/4 cup (none)
Granulated sugar (for sugared cranberries)
2 cups (none)
Cranberry juice cocktail
1 1/2 cups (or 1 1/2 cups of water as a substitute)
Cranberries
2 cups (fresh)
Granulated sugar or superfine sugar (for tossing cranberries)
as needed (for coating)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease mini muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, eggs, reduced-fat sour cream, milk, 1 cup of confectioners' sugar, grated lemon zest, melted butter, lemon juice, and hot water. Beat the mixture on medium speed until everything is blended and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
3
Divide the batter evenly into two 1-gallon ziptop bags. Seal and cut off one corner of each bag.
4
Pipe the batter into the prepared mini muffin cups, filling them slightly less than 2/3 full. Bake for 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean.
5
Remove the pans from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 2 minutes. Invert the muffins onto a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
6
Once all batches have been baked and cooled, prepare the lemon glaze. In a medium bowl, mix the remaining 1 cup of confectioners' sugar with enough lemon juice to create a smooth, pourable glaze.
7
Place a wire rack lined with wax paper underneath. Dip the tops and sides of each cooled muffin in the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off before placing them back on the wire rack until the glaze has set.
8
For the sugared cranberries, in a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar with 1 1/2 cups of cranberry juice cocktail or water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries.
9
Cover and refrigerate the cranberries for at least 8 hours or overnight. After chilling, drain the cranberries well and toss them in granulated sugar until fully coated. Let the cranberries dry on wax paper for about 2 hours.
10
To serve, place each lemon drop in a decorated mini muffin liner, and top with a sugared cranberry for a delightful touch of flavor and presentation.
11
For storage, keep the lemon bites in airtight containers with wax paper between layers at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Uncoated muffin bites can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Lemon Cranberry Bliss Bites?
They are mini lemon-flavored treats made from a base of lemon cake mix and vanilla pudding, topped with a lemon glaze and sugared cranberries.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to make 100 mini servings.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) before baking.
How should I prepare the mini muffin pans?
Grease the mini muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal.
How long should the batter be mixed?
Beat the mixture on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until it is blended and smooth.
What is the easiest way to fill the mini muffin cups?
Divide the batter into two 1-gallon ziptop bags, seal them, and cut off a corner to pipe the batter into the cups.
How much batter should go into each muffin cup?
Fill the prepared mini muffin cups slightly less than 2/3 full.
How long do the lemon bites need to bake?
Bake them for 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
How long should the bites cool in the pan?
Let the muffins cool in the pans for 2 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
How do I make the lemon glaze?
Whisk 1 cup of confectioners' sugar with enough fresh lemon juice to create a smooth, pourable consistency.
What is the best technique for glazing the muffins?
Dip the tops and sides of each cooled muffin into the glaze and let the excess drip off on a wire rack.
How do I make the sugared cranberries?
Simmer sugar and juice, add cranberries, refrigerate for 8 hours, then drain and toss them in granulated sugar.
Can I substitute the cranberry juice cocktail for something else?
Yes, you can use 1 1/2 cups of water as a substitute for the cranberry juice cocktail when preparing the cranberries.
How long must the cranberries soak in the refrigerator?
The cranberries should be refrigerated in the sugar syrup for at least 8 hours or overnight.
How long do the cranberries need to dry after being sugared?
Allow the sugar-coated cranberries to dry on wax paper for about 2 hours.
How should these lemon bites be served?
Place each bite in a decorated mini muffin liner and top it with a sugared cranberry for presentation.
What is the recommended storage method for the finished bites?
Store them in airtight containers with wax paper between layers at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Can these lemon bites be frozen?
Uncoated muffin bites can be frozen for up to 3 months.
What type of pudding mix is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 3 1/2 ounce package of vanilla instant pudding mix.
Is fresh lemon juice necessary?
Yes, freshly squeezed lemon juice is used in the batter and the glaze for the best flavor.
Can I use regular sour cream instead of reduced-fat?
Yes, regular sour cream can be used as a direct substitute for reduced-fat sour cream.
How much lemon zest is required?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of grated lemon zest.
How do I prevent the glaze from making a mess?
Place wax paper underneath your wire rack while the glazed muffins are setting to catch any drips.
What kind of cake mix is needed?
Use one 18 1/4 ounce box of lemon cake mix.
What is the purpose of the hot water in the batter?
Hot water helps dissolve the sugar and pudding mix, creating a smooth and consistent batter texture.
Can I use superfine sugar for the cranberries?
Yes, either granulated sugar or superfine sugar works well for coating the cranberries.
Are the sugared cranberries mandatory?
The sugared cranberries are optional but add a festive elegance and a touch of sweetness.
Should the eggs be prepared in a specific way?
The 4 large eggs should be beaten before being added to the mixing bowl.
What size ziptop bags are recommended for piping?
One-gallon ziptop bags are the ideal size for managing the amount of batter produced.
Are these bites suitable for holiday parties?
Absolutely, their bright flavor and festive cranberry topping make them perfect for gatherings and holidays.