Creamsicle Cupcakes

By yollymg

Ingredients

• Orange Cupcakes
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 2 Tbsp grated orange zest
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Orange Cream Frosting
• 1-8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp grated orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• Orange paste food color (optional)
• Garnish: strips of orange peel

Preparation

Step 1

1. Cupcakes: Heat oven to 350°F. Line
24 muffin cups with paper liners.


2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, 1 cup
of the sugar, the baking powder, baking
soda and salt until blended.


3. In a large bowl with electric mixer,
beat eggs, orange zest and vanilla
until blended. Beat in remaining 1 cup
sugar. Beat in oil, then buttermilk, until blended.


4. On low speed, beat in flour mixture
just until blended. Spoon about 1/4 cup
batter into each muffin cup.


5. Bake 25 to 28 minutes until wooden
pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.


6. Frosting: Beat cream cheese, vanilla
and orange zest in a medium bowl with mixer on low speed to blend. Add
confectioners' sugar and beat until
fluffy. Beat in orange food color (if
using) until light orange. Refrigerate until firm enough to spread.


7. Spread about 1 Tbsp frosting on
each cupcake. Garnish if desired.