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Cupcakes: Orange Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Source of Recipe


From "Sweet Gratitude" by Judith Sutton






List of Ingredients



• -- For the Cupcakes --
  
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 14 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
  
• 2 cups granulated sugar
  
• 4 large eggs
  
• 2 tsp pure orange extract
  
• 1 Tbsp grated orange zest
  
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
  
• .
  
• Orange Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)
  






Instructions



1. Put a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350° F. Line 24 muffin cups with foil or paper cupcake liners.
   
   
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the orange extract and zest. On low speed, beat in the flour in 3 additions, alternating with the milk in 2 additions, and beating just until incorporated. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
   
   
3. Bake for 17 to 19 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. (The cupcakes can be baked up to 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.)
   
   Makes 24 cupcakes.
   
   .........
   
   ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
   
   • 1 (8-ounce) package cold cream cheese, cut into chunks
   • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
   • 2 tsp grated orange zest
   • 1 tsp pure orange extract
   • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
   
   In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy. Beat in the orange zest and extract. On low speed, beat in the confectioners' sugar in 2 additions, beating until smooth.
   
   Spread the frosting generously over the cupcakes. Or, transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cupcake.
   
   






Final Comments


The frosted cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.