Cranberry Orange Cupcakes - Cupcake Fanatic

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• zest of 1 orange
• 12 ounces fresh cranberries
• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon reserved syrup from candied cranberries
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• 4 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 lbs powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice