October 28, 2013

ORANGE CUPCAKES WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

 
 
 
It was a party indeed! Most everyone came in costume, the decorations were spooky and festive and the food was amazing! We saw old friends and made some new ones.  Our granddaughter Abbie won first prize for her Mad Hatter costume, which was too, too adorable! The picture above is of me and our one and only granddaughter! What a blessing she is!
 
Now you simply cannot let Halloween pass you by without making cupcakes. This recipe is so good and easy to decorate in autumn colors. Most people really love the combination of orange and chocolate, don't they? Oh dear, only a few more days of October remain.....time to get busy!!
 
 



 


Orange Cream Cupcakes
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 t.  each baking powder, baking soda and salt
3 large eggs
1 cup vanilla sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoons orange extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk

Heat oven to 350 F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, 1 cup of sugar, the baking powder, baking soda and salt until blended.

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

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

Bake 22 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.



CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CUPCAKE FROSTING
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2½ cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled


 Allow the butter to come to room temperature. Using the wire whisk attachment of your stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 3- 5 minutes

Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed to incorporate all of the chocolate
2. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed to incorporate all of the chocolate.
2. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed to incorporate all of the chocolate.You can store any unused buttercream in the refrigerator in an airtight container; let it come to room temperature and then give it a quick whip in the mixer before using1. Using the wire whisk attachment of your stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, stopping to scrape the bowl once or twice.2. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Add the melted chocolate and whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed to incorporate all of the chocolate.You can store any unused buttercream in the refrigerator in an airtight container; let it come to room temperature and then give it a quick whip in the mixer



 

4 comments:

  1. How festive are those! I love the combination and just may bake these. That is a charming and unique photo of you and your grand-daughter. Deb

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Deb! She is such a beautiful child, inside and out! The cupcakes are so good and terrific to take to neighbors as a Happy Halloween treat! Enjoy and kiss the kitties!

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  2. These are just gorgeous! I know my little Trick or Treaters would love them...heck, I love them, XOXO

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    Replies
    1. Oh thank you Susan! So easy to make and so delicious! The picks are from the Martha Stewart line of Halloween decor! Happy Halloween dear friend!

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