Chocolate-Orange Cupcakes

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• Cupcakes:
• 2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup hot water
• 2/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons grated orange peel
• Chocolate-Orange Frosting:
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 3 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice
• Garnish:
• 6 orange slice candies (wedges)

Details

Adapted from bettycrocker.com

Preparation

Step 1

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.

2 In medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder; set aside. In small bowl, mix hot water and cocoa until dissolved; set aside.

3 In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Gradually add granulated sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping bowl occasionally. Beat 2 minutes longer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla and orange peel. On low speed, alternately add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and cocoa mixture, about half at a time, beating just until blended.

4 Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each with about 3 tablespoons batter or until about two-thirds full.

5 Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

6 In large bowl, mix butter and melted chocolate until blended. Stir in powdered sugar. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 tablespoons orange juice until smooth. If necessary, beat in additional orange juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until frosting is spreadable. Spread frosting on cooled cupcakes.

7 Cut each orange slice candy horizontally in half; cut each half equally into 6 pieces. Garnish each cupcake with 3 pieces of candy.

Expert Tips

If you don't have orange slices, use orange sprinkles.

1 Serving (1 Cupcake)Calories 300