Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes #SummerDessertWeek

Cupcakes are always a great dessert idea, but they’re even better when they can be customized to fit the season. With a new spin on a classic treat, we’ve taken our favorite creamsicles & given all those rich, creamy flavors to a delicious batch of homemade cupcakes. Moist, vanilla cupcakes are topped with a fluffy orange buttercream- finished with a candied orange slice and freshly grated orange zest, it’s the perfect dessert for the Summer season.

This post and recipe were created for #SummerDessertWeek! I was sent samples by some of the sponsor companies but as always the opinions are 100% my own.

When Summer comes, the flavors get fun. I’m much more open to experimenting with my desserts when the weather’s warm.

Whether it’s infusing ice creams, or coming up with genius new ways to enjoy popsicles. I’m all for it. Just take these Lemon Pie Pops as an example.

All the flavor I was craving, but with no baking necessary and transformed into a cool treat to savor. That’s what I consider wining! 

Or you could go for a Parent of the Year Award and offer your kids dessert for breakfast with these Milk & Cereal Breakfast Pops. It’s Summer, so it’s totally acceptable.

For me Summer is synonymous with creamsicles. Grandma always kept a couple carefully hidden treats on hand for the grandkids, especially when the temperature began creepin’ up.

If you dig a little bit of digging in her deep freezer, you were guaranteed to find the box of creamsicles.

They’d be so cleverly hidden behind the healthiest thing on top, usually some sort of green vegetable. Funny, Grandma always acted surprised like she hadn’t known they were in there.

She’s been gone almost a decade now, and it’s funny how it’s the little memories like that (and snapping beans at the foot of her recliner while her soaps played) that have stuck with me the most through the years. I’ll always savor a creamsicle and think of her.

It didn’t dawn on me until I met my husband that some people hadn’t had the joyous experience of tasting a creamsicle. Well that’s just plain unfair! So I had to explain to him what they were.

WHAT IS AN ORANGE CREAMSICLE?

A creamsicle is a tasty frozen treat on a popsicle stick. It features a sweet cream center, wrapped in an orange sherbet like ice cream coating. Basically, it’s creamy dreamy magic on a stick.

Not sure why, but I’d always assumed they were a frozen dessert that came out of the 70’s or 80’s. Probably because that’s when the big brand Popsicle that I knew who mass produced them became big. Really though, in various stages- the orange creamsicle has been around for well over 100 years.

In 1905 an 11 year old named Frank Epperson created the first version of the iconic treat. He was successfully able to coat a frozen vanilla ice cream center with a layer of frozen fruit juice. He’d name it the Epcicle. It would take on several other monikers- first popsicle, then creamsicle, and even dreamsicle.

Don’t let the names confuse you though. While they’re similar the creamsicle & the dreamsicle are different. Both have staunch defenders as to which one’s the true heir to the tangy throne too.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CREAMSICLE VS. A DREAMSICLE?

The two popsicles are actually really similar. Despite their names often being used interchangeably, the difference is key. It all comes down to their filling. 

The creamsicle is made using an ice cream filling, while a dreamsicle uses an ice milk filling. Similar, but resulting in totally different tastes & textures. I find myself firmly entrenched in the creamsicle camp, both by memory & taste.

With all that in mind, I knew I wanted to make something really special for this year’s annual #SummerDessertWeek. I wasn’t feeling popsicles though. While they’re obviously yummy, and we make them often- they weren’t ‘special’ enough.

It didn’t take me long to settle on the idea of combining one of my favorite Summer flavors with a simple handheld dessert we all know and love. These Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes are about to blow you away, and become the new Summer dessert trend.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE ORANGE CREAMSICLE CUPCAKES:

• white cake mix
• vanilla pudding mix
• Greek yogurt
• vegetable oil
• eggs
• Adam’s Extract vanilla extract
• water

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE ORANGE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

• butter
• Dixie Crystal’s powdered sugar
• orange zest
• Adam’s Extract orange extract
• orange juice
• orange gel food coloring

That’s it, just simple everyday ingredients. Combining them all to make a better baking experience with a truly extraordinary dessert. These orange creamsicle cupcakes are surprisingly simple to whip up. We’ve also included step by step photos, just in case.

HOW TO MAKE ORANGE CREAMSICLE CUPCAKES:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees & prepare two cupcake pans with either a liner or spray with non-stick baking spray.
2. In a large bowl, add the cake mix, pudding mix, yogurt, oil, eggs, vanilla and water. Using a hand mixer, whip everything until evenly combined & smooth.
3. Fill each of the cupcake wells about 2/3 of the way full, filling 24 cupcakes.
4. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until tops are turning golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cool completely and then prepare frosting.
6. In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix the butter until it’s creamy. Add in the zest, extract and vanilla and then mix together as you slowly add in the powdered sugar.
7. Add in the orange juice a tbsp. at a time until the desired consistency has been reached.
8. Frost the cupcakes and enjoy!

That’s it. Fairly simple. Really straightforward. Perfect for Summer. Nothing stands between you and a batch of these tasty orange creamsicle cupcakes. Well, except maybe a quick trip to the grocery store.

Really though, don’t be intimidated. I save all the complex stuff for the Winter months when we’re all shut in, or hiding, and need a project. These delightful orange cupcakes are easy enough for any level of baker.

That’s exactly why we decided not to make them completely from scratch. Instead we began with a boxed cake mix that we then froof-ed.

TIPS & TRICKS FOR MAKING ORANGE CREAMSICLE CUPCAKES:

• This recipe calls for both orange juice & orange zest. Both are necessary for the full effect. You can use either fresh or bottled orange juice. Do not allow yourself to skip the zest.
• When zesting, use a microplane zester and be careful to only zest the surface of the orange. Avoid any green spots, those are guaranteed to be bitter.
• Though the recipe calls for plain Greek yogurt, you can sub vanilla flavored Greek yogurt instead for even more flavor.
• To make clean up easier, use these convenient disposable All In One Decorating Bags with Tips from Wilton. Frost, and toss when done.
• For easier filling, fit the piping bags over a tall glass cup folding the edges out over the glass. Scoop your frosting in, pressing down into the piping back. When done, roll the bag edges up, and twist to seal before frosting.
• To decorate, you can top each cupcake with candied orange slices as shown- or opt for fresh orange slices instead.
• Do you need a healthier frosting option? Use thawed whipped topping or marshmallow creme. Stir a couple drops of orange extract in until smooth, and pipe onto the cupcakes.

You really can’t go wrong with a simple cupcake recipe. It’s even better when it starts with a box mix.

Just a few simple changes and you can take it from store shelf, to I can’t believe this isn’t a freshly made bakery cupcake. That’s a trick (just like this recipe) that every home cook should have up their sleeve!

These moist, tender vanilla cupcakes are topped with a sweet orange butter cream. It’s an easy dessert that’s simply to die for.

Orange creamsicle cupcakes deliver one of your favorite Summer flavor combinations in each bite, but with a huge advantage. This new spin on the classic treat won’t melt at all, no matter how hot it gets outside.

Finished off with candied orange slices & a orange zest garnish, it’s a drool worthy dessert worth putting on any Summer menu!

Stay tuned & keep scrolling past the recipe card to check out this year’s awesome #SummerDessertWeek giveaway. Don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY for your chance to win, and also to discover all the other yummy desserts on today’s Summer-themed menu.

Other Creamsicle/Dreamsicle Style Desserts To Enjoy:

• Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake Bars
• No Churn Dreamsicle Ice Cream
• Creamsicle Fluff

If you’ve tried these ORANGE CREAMSICLE CUPCAKES, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

 

 

PRIZE #1

Dixie Crystals is giving away one (1)Keurig® K-Select® Coffee Maker

 

 

PRIZE #2

 

Prize #2 — Adam’s Extract is giving away – 1 Gift Pack – including Adams Poundcake Kit, Adams Best, Adams Lemon Extract, Adams Natural Food Color, and Adams Cinnamon Sugar

 

PRIZE #3

Prize #3 —Wilton is giving away a Wilton Gift Pack – including – Bake and Bring Geometric Print Non-Stick 13 x 9 -inch Oblong Pan, Bake and Bring Geometric Print Non-Stick 8-inch Square Cake Pan, Bake and Bring Geometric Print Non-Stick 8-inch Round Cake Pan, Peach Cobbler Candy Melts Candy, Blueberry Lemonade Candy Melts Candy, Orange Crème Candy Melts Candy, Key Lime Pie Decorating Icing Pouch with Tips, Orange Crème Decorating Icing Pouch with Tips, Pop Art Triangle and Solid Cupcake Liners, Geometric Print and Solid Green Cupcake Liners, Balloon Dog Icing Decorations, Assorted Brights and Pastels Sprinkles, Blue Sprinkles Tackle Box, Coral Sprinkles Tackle Box, DIY-Lish Mermaid Kit, DIY-Lish Candy Lollipop Kit and Disposable Decorating Bags with 1M Tips

 

PRIZE #4

Prize #4 — Sweets & Treats Boutique is giving away 1 (one) baking supply box including an assortment of sprinkles and cupcake liners as well as one of Love From The Oven’s recent cookbooks!

PRIZE #5

Prize #5 — Anolon is giving one (1) winner an Anolon Advanced Graphite 9″ Round Springform Pan & an Anolon Advanced Graphite 9″ Square Springform Pan

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to US Residents 18 years or older. All entries will be verified. No PO Boxes Please. Prizes will be sent directly from sponsors to winners, bloggers are not responsible for prizes. This giveaway runs from July 7th – July 14th at 12AMEST. Winners will be selected soon afterward and contacted by e-mail. Winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. There are a total of 5 (five) prizes and therefore we will have a total of 5 (five) winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

 

Disclaimer: These posts and recipes are part of the week-long event, #SummerDessertWeek but all opinions are 100% mine! We would like to Thank our amazing sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Adam’s Extract, Wilton, Sweets and Treats Shop and Anolon ! These wonderful sponsors provided the prize packs for our giveaways and also sent samples and products to the #SummerDessertWeek bloggers to use in their recipes.

Check out the amazing list of #SummerDessertWeek recipes from our bloggers today!

 

Ice Cream Recipes:

• No Churn Chocolate Dipped Waffle Cone Ice Cream from Big Bear’s Wife
• Cotton Candy Ice Cream from Jen Around the World
• Brownie Bottom Neapolitan Ice Cream Cake from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Strawberry Ice Cream from Family Around the Table
• No Churn Dairy Free Vanilla Ice Cream from Home Sweet Homestead
• S’Mores Popsicles from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Glazed Donut Strawberry Shortcake Boozy Milkshake from Sweet ReciPEAS
• No-Churn Caramel Fudge Crunch Ice Cream from Palatable Pastime

Sweet Summertime Cakes and Cupcakes:

• Blueberry Lemon Cupcakes from Daily Dish Recipes
• Whipping Cream Pound Cake from Pastry Chef Online
• Summer Berry Cupcakes with Lemon Icing from Nancie’s Table
• Blueberry Lemonade Mermaid Cupcakes from The Bitter Side of Sweet
• Lemon Popsicle Cupcakes from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes from 4 Sons R Us
• Lemon Blueberry Cake from Back To My Southern Roots

Baked Desserts:

• Peach Pie Scones with Maple Glaze from Sweet Beginnings
• Lemon Lime Cheesecake from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Blackberry Crumble Bars from Creative Southern Home
• Creamsicle Cake Bars from My Sweet Zepol

Cookies:

• Orange Cream Dipped Cookies from Cookaholic Wife

Candies:

• Rock Candy from The Domestic Kitchen

Jello Shots:

• Bomb Pop Jello Shots from Cheese Curd In Paradise