Orange Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting

Hey All!

When I was younger, for some reason, my family would always have those dark chocolate oranges. They were my favorite thing in the entire world. So when trying to come up with some good bake sale cupcakes, I figured I'd try to recreate my favorite into a cupcake. I really hope you guys enjoy!

Orange Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting. (Makes 42 cupcakes)

Batter:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tbsp orange extract
2 1/2 tbsp orange zest
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup buttermilk

Frosting:
4 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp instant espresso powder
12 oz dark chocolate, melted
2 egg yolks
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp orange extract
1/2 tbsp orange zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with paper liners. Set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric beater, beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add in 1/3 of flour mixture. Next, the orange juice. Mix in another 1/3 of the flour mixture. Then buttermilk. Then, mix in the remaining flour mixture. Lastly, mix in orange and vanilla extracts and orange zest, until all ingredients are combined. Divide evenly among muffin pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

For frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and espresso powder until fluffy. Once melted chocolate has cooled, beat into butter mixture. Beat in egg yolks one at a time. Lastly add  in vanilla and orange extracts and orange zest.

Allow cupcakes to cool for 30 minutes before frosting. Enjoy!

Feel free to send your questions, feedback and pictures to cookingwithcait@gmail.com