Golden Orange Cupcakes

By Addie

Citrus lovers will vow they've gone to cupcake heaven when they sample this recipe. To up the sunny flavor, add a teaspoon of orange extract in place of vanilla. —Helen Hassler, Denver, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 cups cake flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• Orange Buttercream Frosting or frosting of your choice

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts.

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with water and orange juice, beating well after each addition.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 15 cupcakes.
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Orange Buttercream Frosting:

1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons orange juice


In a small bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, orange peel and vanilla. Add enough orange juice to achieve frosting consistency. Yield: 1 cup.







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REVIEWS:

This is a very good recipe. I did change it up a bit. Instead of using 4 egg yolks I used 2 whole eggs, and I did not have orange extract. Instead I used a bit of extra vanilla extract to enhance the vanilla flavor. Rather than using 1/3 cup of water I just used more orange juice and added a dab more water while I was mixing. Oh, and I didn't have cake flour so I used all purpose (not sure what the difference is). The cupcakes turned out moist and fluffy and delicious. I will certainly make these again!

This was excellent. My 9 year old favored this over chocolate frosting we had made earlier.

Delicious! I frosted cranberry-orange muffins and sold them for $1 each for a fundraiser. Sold out in 1 hour!