These fluffy orange creamsicle cupcakes are moist and flavored with orange juice and orange extract then topped with an orange creamsicle buttercream frosting.
This fluffy orange creamsicle cupcake recipe has been one of my all-time favorites. It has heavenly scents of orange citrus and melts in your mouth. This recipe includes a sneak peek into my favorite buttercream frosting with a big twist.
Orange creamsicle cupcakes, also known as the dreamsicle cupcake, are a recipe to save for years to come. Each bite is fluffy, light, and has a touch of biting, irresistible citrus. The smell alone will have your belly rumbling, but just one bite will ensure you explode with happiness.
This recipe is great for any time of the year. The flavors represent those hot summer days, but they're warm enough to want to eat in the winter. Try this out before any other orange cupcake recipe.
Dreamsicle vs Creamsicle
You may be wondering what the difference between a dreamsicle and a creamsicle is? The honest answer is not much. They are two names for the same thing and are used interchangeably.
No matter what the name is, it will not change the great orange flavor, and it's easy to follow. This recipe is easy to do on your own and will provide you with fluffy cupcakes perfect for parties or desserts.
Some use orange zest, orange Crush soda, orange curd, or orange oil to make the orange cake, but I use orange juice that you find near the dairy aisle in the grocery store and orange extract from the baking aisle.
The juice in this recipe adds the perfect bite without it being sharp and overpowering. It takes your basic vanilla cupcake and upgrades it to the next level.
Tips On Making Creamsicle Cupcakes
If you are not a cupcake expert, this is the perfect recipe to start out with. Following these tips ensures the best cupcakes possible.
Room Temperature Ingredients One of the best ways to get the perfect mixed batter is by using room-temperature ingredients. You want to make sure you don't over-mix or under-mix, and a room-temperature batter will help you achieve the best consistency.
Don't Overflow The Cupcake One of the most important things you can do is ensure you do not overflow the pans. A good rule of thumb is to fill the cupcake pan about halfway up to two-thirds full. As they bake, the cake will rise.
Let Them Cool Before frosting the cupcakes, let them cool down completely. You can put the entire pan in the fridge or let it rest on the counter for about 15 minutes.
Check out my cupcake baking guide that answers all of your questions about baking, ingredient substitutes, and decorating the perfect cupcakes!
Recipe For Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Here is what you will need to make the orange creamsicle cupcake from scratch. It’s easy to mix together the cupcake batter first and then while it's baking you can focus on the ingredients for the orange buttercream frosting.
Orange Creamsicle Cupcake
- Butter, room temperature
- Granulated Sugar
- Large Eggs
- Orange Extract
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Orange Juice
- Orange Food Coloring
Orange Buttercream Frosting
- Confectioners’ Sugar (Powdered Sugar)
- Butter, room temperature
- Milk
- Orange Extract
- Orange Icing Gel, optional
How To Make Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty! This is an easy recipe with a few simple steps. As long as you follow these steps, you will create the perfect creamsicle cupcakes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare cupcake pans by lining them with 24 cupcake paper liners.
- In an electric mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and orange extract and beat well. Add milk and orange juice.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, then slowly mix dry ingredients into the batter. Once combined, mix in 5-6 drops of orange food color.
- Spoon cupcake batter into cupcake liners, approximately 3 tablespoons each.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes until tops spring back when lightly touched.
- Frost fully cooled cupcakes.
How To Make Orange Creamsicle Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, add milk, butter, and orange extract.
- Slowly mix in confectioners’ sugar until smooth.
- May add orange icing gel if desired.
- Top with orange slices
Final Thoughts
Creamsicle cupcakes take a basic cupcake that has been upgraded to get the best-tasting result. The orange flavor will burst on the end of your tongue and create a mouth-watering bite you won't be able to resist.
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Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
- ½ cup Butter
- 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
- 3 Large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Orange Extract
- 2 ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Milk
- ½ cup Orange Juice
- 5-6 Drops Orange Food Color
Orange Buttercream Frosting
- 4 cups Confectioners’ Sugar
- ½ cup Butter
- 4 tablespoons Milk
- 1 teaspoon Orange Extract
- Orange Icing Gel optional
Instructions
Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare cupcake pans by lining with 24 cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and orange extract and beat well. Add milk and orange juice. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together then slowly mix into the batter. Once combined, mix in 5-6 drops of orange food color.
- Spoon cupcake batter into cupcake liners, approximately 3 tablespoons each.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, until tops spring back when lightly touched.
Orange Buttercream Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, add milk, butter, and orange extract. Slowly mix in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. May add orange icing gel if desired.
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