Are you ready to brighten up your day with some delicious Orange Cupcakes? This quick treat comes together in about 30 minutes, and it’s baked up in a standard cupcake tin, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute celebrations! Your family will adore these zesty little bites of sunshine, and the best part? You can easily switch up the ingredients if you want to get a little creative or clean out the fridge!
Ingredient Breakdown
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 2 Large Eggs
- ⅓ cup Fresh Orange Juice
- Zest from 1 Orange
- ¼ cup Whole Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
For Frosting:
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter, Softened
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Orange Juice
Now, for the frosting! It’s fluffy and sweet, with a hint of that fresh orange essence. I prefer using powdered sugar for a smooth frosting, but if you’re feeling ambitious, a cream cheese frost pairs heavenly with these cupcakes too!
Optional: Additional Orange Zest for Garnish
A little orange zest on top not only looks gorgeous but also adds an extra zing of flavor, perfect for impressing your family or guests!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). And go ahead and line a cupcake tin with paper liners!
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures everything is well combined and prevents clumping.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: In another bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. It’ll smell incredible!
Add Eggs and Flavor: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated. Now, pour in the orange juice, zest, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until it’s all lovely and mixed!
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to over mix, as it could make your cupcakes tough!
Scoop into Liners: With a scoop or a spoon, fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with the batter.
Bake: Pop your tray into the preheated oven for about 18–20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, how satisfying is that?
Cool Down: Once done, cool the cupcakes in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before frosting!
Make the Frosting: Now, while those cupcakes are cooling, let’s whip up that frosting! Beat the butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar, and mix in the orange juice and zest until smooth and delightful.
Finish the Cupcakes: Pipe or spread the frosting on cooled cupcakes, and sprinkle a little extra zest on top if you’re feeling fancy!
Why I Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Orange Cupcakes recipe is my absolute go-to when I need a little pick-me-up or when unexpected guests swing by. They are such a versatile treat, you can make them for parties, snack time, or just because it’s Tuesday! And the best part is how they can adapt to whatever ingredients you have on hand. I mean, who doesn’t love a recipe that’s just begging to be personalized?!
If you’re dealing with an abundance of citrus, like I often do in the spring, cue my orange tree giving all the fruits! This recipe really shines. With a bit of creativity, you’ll impress the kids and even that picky spouse of yours!
So, are you ready to give it a try? If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Chocolate Coffee Cream Cupcakes, White Chocolate Blueberry Cupcakes, or Peach Bellini Cupcakes. You’ll find family favorites there too, perfect for any occasion!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes with little fuss! Quick and easy for busy weeknights, you’ll want to keep this in your back pocket.
Crowd-Pleaser
Trust me, these cupcakes are a hit! The whole family will love them, and they’re sure to disappear at any gathering. They look cute on a dessert table, too, with that beautiful orange frosting!
Customizable
One of the best things? You can customize these cupcakes easily! Want them extra fruity? Toss in some berries or even add some chocolate chips. You can use whatever ingredients you have lying around!
Comfort Food
These are pure comfort food! A light, fluffy cupcake with frosting is like sunshine on a plate. Each bite is loaded with delicious orange flavor that makes you feel happy and cozy.
Perfect for Meal Prep
You can make these ahead of time! These orange cupcakes can be made, frosted, and stored in an airtight container for about 3-4 days, if they last that long! So great for snacks after school or late-night treats!
Serving & Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
These cupcakes are perfect as is, but take it up a notch by serving them with a scoop of ice cream or alongside some fresh fruit for a delightful dessert setup!
Storage
Once baked, these delightful treats will keep well for about 3-4 days at room temperature if stored in an airtight container. If you need them to last longer, pop them in the fridge for about a week!
Reheating Instructions
If you want to enjoy them warm, simply pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds just enough to take the chill off. It’s like a warm hug!
Freezer Friendly
Absolutely! These cupcakes freeze beautifully. Just make sure they’re in an airtight container or zippy bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw them on the counter for a lovely dessert any time!
And there you have it, my Quick and Easy Orange Cupcakes that are sure to make your family’s day! I truly hope you add this recipe to your collection. Trust me, you’re going to want these cupcakes on repeat!
So, let’s bake together, shall we? Follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Orange Cupcakes
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the orange juice, zest, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
- Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cupcakes in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Let them cool completely before frosting.
- Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, mixing in the orange juice and zest until smooth.
- Pipe or spread the frosting on cooled cupcakes, and sprinkle with additional zest if desired.