Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

4.92 from 12 votes

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

Quick & easy moist, vanilla cupcakes are topped with an orange infused buttercream frosting for a rich dessert that tastes like a baked creamsicle.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Total Time40

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 245kcal

Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us

Ingredients

For The Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix
3.4 oz box of instant vanilla pudding mix
3/4 cup plain greek yogurt
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs slightly beaten
2 tsp Adams Extract vanilla extract
1/2 cup warm water

For The Frosting

1 stick unsalted butter
4 cups Dixie Crystal's powdered sugar
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp Adams Extract orange extract
2-4 tbsp orange juice
Orange Gel Coloring

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two cupcake pans with either a liner or spray with non-stick baking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, yogurt, oil, eggs, vanilla and water.
Using a stand or hand mixer, mix until well combined.
Fill each of the cupcake wells about 2/3 of the way full, filling 24 cupcakes.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until tops are turning golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely and then prepare frosting.
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.
Add in the orange juice a tbsp. at a time until the desired consistency has been reached.
Frost the cupcakes and enjoy!

Notes

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 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.

Nutrition