Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Icing

Hi! Around this time, Howard and I are flying over America, on our way to Las Vegas. I felt that I shouldn't go anywhere without leaving you some eye candy. So I made these cupcakes last Friday! We hope you love citrus as much as we do.

Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream Icing
Recipe from Food & Drink (Spring 2010)
(Makes about 12-15 cupcakes)

Orange Cupcakes:
2 eggs
1/2 cup of unsalted butter
1 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
2 cups of sifted cake and pastry flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of milk
1/4 cup of orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F) and have all ingredients at room temperature. Also have your cupcake liners and pans ready.
2. If you forgot to take out the eggs to have them reach room temperature, place the eggs in a small bowl and cover with hot tap water.
   
   
3. Beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy.
   
4. Add in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla.
5. Mix the flour with the baking powder and salt. Sift the dry ingredients again.
6. Combine the milk with the orange juice.
7. Pour half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, then half of the milk mixture. Repeat. Mix well.
8. Add in the zest to the batter and mix until combined.
   
   
9. Use an ice cream scoop to evenly divide the batter among your cupcake liners.
10. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool before frosting.
    

Icing:

1/3 cup of cream cheese
2 tablespoon of unsalted butter
2 teaspoon of honey
3/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 cups of sifted icing sugar

1. Beat the cream cheese, butter, honey, vanilla, and salt together.
2. Gradually add the icing sugar until it is smooth and creamy. Add a tint of orange gel colour if you like.
   
3. Spread or pipe on cooled cupcakes.
   

Piping fail! My intentions were to pipe beautiful flowers and be all zen in the afternoon. Instead of reaching a calming state, I became frustrated with my lack of practice. It just looked like piles of... oh I don't know! I can just imagine how disappointed my Wilton instructor would be! I later smoothed out all the icing with a spatula. Do you ever do that? =)

I really liked the icing, it was quite delicious! The orange cupcakes had a wonderful citrus aroma with each bite. I personally found the orange cupcakes a bit dense due to my lack of sifting, but my mom and Howard both said it was fine.

We wish you a happy holiday season! We'll be home for Christmas, so come back to read about our adventures in Nevada!