Did you have a favorite treat from the ice cream man? Whenever I would hear that music playing in our neighborhood I would start to dream of just one thing… orange creamsicle ice cream bars. Making a cupcake with those flavors in mind seemed like a good idea. It ended up being a great idea!
Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
These cupcakes are easy enough to do and have a really wonderful citrus flavor. I give options for maximizing the orange flavor with extracts or pure orange juice, so you can really customize it to fit your tastes! I have also paired these cupcakes with a Vanilla Buttercream, but you can certainly use Whipped Topping or something lighter during hot summer months. No matter what you do, these cupcakes are sure to impress!
These were created using my Cherry Limeade Cupcakes as the base recipe.
I adore the texture of the cupcakes, it is a bit dense with a light crumb and a delicate, velvety consistency.
Cupcakes topped with Whipped Vanilla Buttercream.
How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
In the recipe above I listed orange extract as optional. While the natural flavor is wonderful, I wanted to add just a bit of a kick. You can, of course, omit and add a tablespoon more of the fresh-squeezed orange juice; either directly into the batter or afterward when brushing the cupcakes. I have also made this recipe using Cuties and found it to be just a tad sweeter! 🙂
I also listed orange food coloring as optional. There is no need to add it other than for aesthetic reasons, but I do love how the color really prepares your mind for a wonderful orange flavored experience.
I sampled many recipes for the frosting (whipped, orange buttercream, chocolate) and determined that WHIPPED VANILLA is the best. Specifically, with an orange cupcake, you want that texture to be light and as airy as possible. I did experiment with adding a teaspoon of orange extract to the buttercream and enjoyed that as well!
To frost the cupcakes I used an ice cream scoop. I scooped the frosting onto the cupcake (do not press down hard) then gently tapped the bottom of the cupcake on the counter to get the frosting to settle. Since it is so light this ended up being the best method.
If you are an Orangesicle fan like I am, you are not going to want to miss these fabulous cupcakes!
Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® orange extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice, divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (115 g) whole milk, room temperature
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick /113 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 drop orange food coloring, or one small drop red + yellow
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare muffins tins. (This recipe yielded 15 muffins for me.)
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream together room temperature butter and sugar on medium high until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and add in eggs, one at a time and mix until just blended.
- Add in vanilla, 1 tablespoon of orange juice and milk and mix for about 30 seconds on low. Slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Remove from mixer then fold in orange zest with spatula.
- Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 16 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack.
- Use pastry brush to brush remaining orange juice over the top of the cupcake.
- Let cupcakes cool completely and dry before topping with Whipped Vanilla frosting.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
BONUS!
Do you want to know how to get PURE WHITE buttercream?!?!
Here is a video where Cakes by Raewyn describes how to do this!!
The trick is… adding a touch of PURPLE to your buttercream. The tiniest amount!
Trust me, it’s LIFE CHANGING!!! When you do this you don’t have to worry about the color of your butter or extract.
Want more amazing CUPCAKE recipes? I’ve got you covered! <3
So I made these cupcakes, they are dense but mine came out kind of spongey. I like this recipe, bc the flavor taste great and they domed up really nicely. Any idea on what I might have done wrong?
SO…i just made these cupcakes and they are still in the oven now. Can’t wait to taste them. They smell DELICIOUS! Thank you for the recipe.
Wow. These look so delicious!! Like, oh my god! Wowowow!
Hi. How can i convert this to a cake for church
The Orange Creamsicle cupcakes look mouthwatering. I’m going to make some right now!! Thanks for sharing your receipes.
Is your vanilla frosting the same as buttercream? I’ve never heard buttercream referred to as vanilla frosting. Thx for ur answer.
Will this recipe work for a 2 layer 8” cake?
I admit that I just saw this recipe and have not tried it YET! But, I have to tell you that there is a local bakery here that makes the most delicious orange dreamcicle cake ever! It adds white chocolate chips to the batter—just enough to have a surprise every few bites! Wow! Yummy! They use a cream cheese frosting on theirs, I believe. I had to share this with you as you share so many great tips with all of us! Thank you!
Hi i am a young baker 12 to be exact we are having a school field trip to the beach and i was gonna have all my friends take a pic with me since i have to get on the bus and everything with them i would make it a little thicker
Hi Amanda, I consistently print your recipes and am waiting for the day you have everything in a book, then my husband won’t complain about all the paper and ink I use, lol!
Question: I’d like to make this with a popsicle stick sticking out of them (after baking) and give people the ability to grab the stick and eat then like they WERE a creamsicle. Any suggestions on how to make that happen? Thank you!