Description
Fluffy orange cupcakes topped with a swirled vanilla and orange buttercream, tasting just like the classic frozen treat.
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 15 oz white cake mix
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3.9 oz instant cheesecake pudding mix
- 1 1/4 cup orange juice
- 3 oz orange-flavor gelatin, divided (reserve 3 tbsp for frosting)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 4 oz cream cheese, cold
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, cold
- Orange food coloring (optional)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line your cupcake pans with paper liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, cheesecake pudding mix, orange juice, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and the orange gelatin (remembering to keep 3 tablespoons set aside for the frosting later). Mix until smooth.
- Use a scoop to fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the bright orange batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 19 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Allow them to cool completely before decorating.
- To make the frosting, whip the cold butter for 6 minutes until very pale. Mix in the cold cream cheese until combined.
- Add 3 cups of powdered sugar and vanilla, beating on high for a minute. Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat on medium-high for 3 more minutes.
- Split the frosting into two bowls. Stir the reserved 3 tablespoons of orange gelatin and optional food coloring into one bowl.
- Place both frosting colors side-by-side in a piping bag with a star tip and swirl onto the cooled cupcakes.
Notes
Ensure the cupcakes are fully cool before piping to prevent the butter-rich frosting from melting.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cooling Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Cupcakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: orange creamsicle cupcakes, easy cupcakes, homemade dessert, spring baking