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Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes are the dessert to serve if you have a love for those dreamy orange cream popsicles that were so popular when you were young. The perfect melding of bright orange flavor and smooth cream.
This Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes recipe is so simple that you truly have no excuse not to make them. They take only a few ingredients and only several minutes of your time to produce a light airy cupcake that is perfect on a hot summer day.
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What We Love About This Summer Cupcake Ideas
If you haven’t tried this method of making cakes and cupcakes, you are missing out! This creamsicle cupcake recipe calls for orange soda, and this neat hack really enhances the flavor of this dessert.
- 35 Minutes: No fuss and very little mess as these orange cupcakes take only a few minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry. Perfect for unexpected company or when you need a dessert fast.
- Family Friendly: These cupcakes are a hit with all generations; you cannot miss with this easy recipe.
- Adaptable: Can make it low-carb, low-calorie, dairy free, etc.
If you want to include REAL oranges, serve these with chocolate covered oranges on top.
Ingredient Notes
- Vanilla Cake Mix: One box of any flavor that you enjoy or whatever is on sale
- Orange Soda: A 12 ounce can, you can use cream soda too
- Frosting: One tub of vanilla frosting, or you can make your own
- Whipped Topping: Thawed, you can use a low-calorie version here if you like
- Orange sprinkles: This is optional, but makes the orange creamsicle cake so cute
Equipment Needed
- Caperci Standard White Cupcake Liners 500 Count,
- Cooptop Silicone Spatula Set
- DI ORO Designer Series Flexible 3-Piece Silicone Turner Spatula Set
- KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls
- Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Standard Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 12-Cup Baking Pan
How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
These are the basic steps for making a summer cupcake. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: PREP
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, then line muffin tin with the cupcake liners. Then, blend cake mix and orange soda in a large bowl with a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer for one minute on a medium speed.
STEP 2: BAKE
Next, fill each cupcake liner halfway full, a cookie scoop is a good tool to use here. Then bake for 12 to 15 minutes and allow to cool on a wire rack for about an hour.
STEP 3: FROSTING
Meanwhile, combine the frosting and whipped topping together in a medium bowl, add to a piping bag or a zip top bag with a corner nipped off and frost the cooled cupcakes.
STEP 4: DECORATE
Finally, decorate with the orange sprinkles and if you like, insert a piece of a colorful straw into each cupcake.
Prep and Storage Tips for Creamsicle Cake
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
These cupcakes can be made several days in advance and stored ar room temperature in an airtight container or well wrapped. They are fine at room temperature or in the fridge. Just make sure they are not frosted.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store the creamsicle cupcakes in the fridge for up to 4 days well wrapped or in an airtight container.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
After the cupcakes have cooled thoroughly, place the Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes in an airtight container to freeze. Ensure the container is roomy enough on the top and sides that they are not squished or crushed. Thaw the cupcakes overnight in the refrigerator. see more tips here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Use a gluten free cake mix, sugar free cake mix or zero sugar orange soda.
Of course, white cake, butter cake or yellow cake all work. Even try an orange cake flavor if available in your area.
Indeed, if you are having a large gathering you can increase this recipe to meet your needs or freeze half a batch for next time.
Yes, try using a layer of orange marmalade on the cupcakes before you frost them, or enhance your frosting with a little orange extract or orange zest to up the orange goodness.
Expert Tips for Making This Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes Recipe
- Add Straws: Decorate with a cute piece of orange straw.
- Orange Food Coloring: Make half of your icing orange and then swirl the white and orange on the top of the cupcake.
- Variation tip: Decorate the top with sugar coated orange slices.
- Alternate ingredient: Vanilla Pudding adds even more flavor to these cupcakes.
- Dietary consideration tip: Sugar free products are great and no one will notice, this cake is that good.
Did you try this recipe?
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Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 12 ounce can orange soda
- 24 orange cupcake liners
- 16 ounce can vanilla frosting
- 8 ounce container whipped topping, thawed
- Orange sprinkles
- Orange and white straws
- Optional, 1M Wilton piping tip and piping bag or baggie
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Place cupcake liners into a cupcake pan.
- Add cake mix and orange soda to a large bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed for one minute.
- Fill each of the cupcake liners halfway with the cake batter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for about 1 hour.
- Mix frosting and whipped topping together.
- Add frosting to a piping bag or baggie with the frosting tip inside. (This is easiest done by putting the bag inside a large cup and folding the rim of the bag over the cup.)
- Gently push frosting down the bag to remove air, then start at the outer edge, gently squeezing the piping bag, and work your way around the cupcake, then around again towards the middle, ending in the middle.
- Top cupcakes with sprinkles.
- Cut each straw into 4 pieces and insert one piece into each cupcake.
Expert Tips
- Add Straws: Decorate with a cute piece of orange straw.
- Orange Food Coloring: Make half of your icing orange and then swirl the white and orange on the top of the cupcake.
- Variation tip: Decorate the top with sugar coated orange slices.
- Alternate ingredient: Vanilla Pudding adds even more flavor to these cupcakes.
- Dietary consideration tip: Sugar free products are great and no one will notice, this cake is that good.
Delicious cupcakes. Love the flavors. They look pretty too. Yum!
This creamsicle cupcakes looks delicious I would love to try it.
Adorable cupcakes!
Fun recipe and the flavor is fantastic! Plus, they make an excellent show-stopper