Sunday, May 17, 2009

Fancy Cupcakes


I submitted this recipe to the Pillsbury Bake-Off. I doubt I'll win (the top prize is a cool million, I'm dreamin' baby, I'm dreamin'), but at least you can enjoy it, right?

Spiced Chocolate Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream Frosting ~

2 2/3 cup all purpose unbleached flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
7 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups buttermilk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line muffin tins with paper liners or use the foil muffin cups on a large cookie sheet.
3. In a large bowl sift all of the dry ingredients together.
4. In a small bowl combine the vanilla, oil and buttermilk.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.
6. Fill the muffin liners 2/3 of the way full.
7. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the top of the cake comes out clean.
8. Immediately remove muffins from tin or cookie sheet and cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Fit a large pastry bag with a large star or plain tip.
10. Fill the pastry bag with frosting (recipe below) and frost the cupcakes as desired.

Orange Buttercream Frosting ~

3 cups confectioners sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) of salted butter, room temperature
1/2 tablespoon of pure orange extract
1/2 tablespoon of whipping cream or half & half
Zest of two oranges

In a large bowl combine the sugar and butter. Using a whisk attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Increase speed to high and whip until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the orange extract, whipping cream and orange zest and whip for another 2 minutes.

Enjoy!

3 comments:

loves2spin said...

Which ingredients are "Pillsbury" ? That sounds and looks wonderful!

loves2spin said...

There is Pillsbury butter?

April said...

It's Land O Lakes butter, Hershey's Cocoa, Crisco Oil and Pillsbury Flour.