“Since I was a kid, my family has competed in food competitions at the Texas State Fair. I have a basic cupcake recipe from my grandmother and I change the flavor every year. Orange and vanilla is my showstopper — the combination reminds me of buying Creamsicles in the summer,” says Emily.
| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 1 hr 30 min |
| Active: | 1 hr |
| Yield: | about 18 |
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon orange oil (available at specialty stores)
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (from 2 oranges)
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
- Orange and/or white sanding sugar, for topping
- Orange gummy candies, for topping
Instructions
- Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. Beat the egg whites in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes; set aside.
- Beat the butter, granulated sugar, egg yolks, orange zest and orange oil in a separate large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and combined, about 4 minutes. Reduce the speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the orange juice. Fold in the beaten egg whites. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about halfway. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pans, then remove to racks to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: Beat the butter and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 6 minutes. Reduce the speed to low; gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar. Add the milk, increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy. Frost the cupcakes. Top with sanding sugar and orange gummy candies.
- Orange oil gives the cupcakes an intense orange flavor that you can?t get from just extract or zest.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 18 servings |
| Calories | 318 |
| Total Fat | 16 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 34 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Cholesterol | 61 mg |
| Sodium | 107 mg |
Reviews
Despite my best efforts to not follow the recipe – these turned out to be a real hit. Cupcakes were moist and tender. The real scene stealer was the frosting – I used half orange extract and half vanilla. I have never Best the butter and extract for that long before but I followed the recipe exactly. The frosting was WOW! Creamy and the perfect complement to the cupcakes. People keep asking when I am going to make them again.