Cosmopolitan Cupcakes

from "bakingdom" - http://bakingdom.blogspot.com/2010/12/ring-in-sweet-new-year-with.html

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 36
• Yields: 3 dozen cupcakes

Ingredients

• Cupcakes

• 1  cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2  cups sugar
• 3⁄4 cup apple, sauce
• 1  teaspoon  finely grated lime zest
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  finely grated orange zest
• 2  tablespoons cranberry juice cocktail
• 2  tablespoons lime juice
• 2  tablespoons triple sec
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  cup milk, room temperature
•  food coloring (optional)

• Frosting

• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 4  cups confectioners' sugar
• 1  tablespoon cranberry juice cocktail
• 1  tablespoon vodka
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons lime juice
• 2  teaspoons triple sec
•  food coloring (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the apple sauce, then stir in the lime and orange zests.
5. Add the cranberry juice, lime juice, triple sec, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
6. Sprinkle half of the flour mixture over the batter and mix until just combined. Stir in half the milk, add the remaining flour, and then stir until combined. Stir in the remaining milk (and a couple drops of food coloring, if desired) until just combined (do not over-mix!).
7. Scoop 2 tablespoons of batter into each cupcake liner. Bake 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
8. When cupcakes are completely cool, make frosting: In a large bowl, cream the butter until smooth. Add 1 c of sugar and beat until combined. Stir in the cranberry juice until just combined. Then add another cup of sugar and mix until combined. Stir in the vodka and the lime juice until combined. Add another cup of sugar and mix well. Finally, stir in the triple sec (and a bit of food coloring if desired) and then add the remaining cup of sugar and beat until well combined and light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes!