Spiced Maple Orange Cupcakes
Indulge in the flavors of the season with Spiced Maple Orange Cupcakes, a delightful dessert that captures the essence of autumn. These moist and flavorful cupcakes combine the zesty brightness of fresh oranges with warm spices, creating a perfect harmony of taste. Topped with a creamy orange-infused frosting and adorned with charming candy sprinkles, these cupcakes are a stunning addition to any celebration or a cozy afternoon treat. Bake a batch to share with friends and family or to enjoy with a warm cup of tea!
N/A
Servings
178
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
oranges
2 (Zested and juiced)
spice cake mix
18 1/4 oz (Store-bought mix)
eggs
3 (Large, room temperature)
butter
1 3/4 cups (Room temperature, divided)
confectioners' sugar
16 oz (For frosting)
yellow and red food coloring
To taste (For tinting frosting)
wilton leaves candy sprinkles
3/4 cup (For garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 18 muffin cups with festive cupcake liners.
2
Zest two oranges to gather 2 teaspoons of zest and squeeze the oranges to extract 3/4 cup of fresh orange juice. Set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, eggs, orange juice, 1/2 cup of water, 1/4 cup of softened butter, and 1 teaspoon of orange zest. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds until just combined.
4
Increase the speed to medium-high and continue mixing for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and thickened.
5
Evenly divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
7
For the frosting, beat the remaining 1 1/2 cups of softened butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
8
Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
9
Mix in the remaining 1 teaspoon of orange zest. If desired, tint the frosting with yellow and red food colorings to achieve a vibrant orange hue.
10
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star or decorative tip. Pipe or spread a generous layer of frosting over each cooled cupcake.
11
Finish by garnishing the cupcakes with wilton leaves candy sprinkles for a fun and festive touch.
Nutrition Information
8g
Fat
27g
Carbs
1g
Protein
16g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Maple Orange Cupcakes?
They are a seasonal autumn dessert combining moist spice cake with the brightness of fresh oranges and a creamy orange-infused frosting.
How many cupcakes does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 18 cupcakes.
What is the required oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How many oranges are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 oranges to provide both zest and juice.
How much orange juice is required?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of fresh orange juice.
How much orange zest is used in the batter?
The batter uses 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
What type of cake mix is used?
The recipe uses one 18 1/4 oz package of spice cake mix.
How many eggs are required?
You will need 3 large, room temperature eggs.
How much water is added to the cupcake batter?
The batter requires 1/2 cup of water.
How much butter is used in the cupcake batter?
The batter uses 1/4 cup of softened butter.
How long should the batter be mixed initially?
Beat the ingredients on medium speed for about 30 seconds until just combined.
How long do you beat the batter at medium-high speed?
After the initial mix, beat for an additional 2 minutes until smooth and thickened.
How full should the muffin cups be filled?
Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter.
What is the baking time for these cupcakes?
Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes.
How do you test if the cupcakes are finished baking?
A toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake should come out clean.
How long should the cupcakes cool in the pan?
Allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before moving to wire racks.
How much butter is used for the frosting?
The frosting requires 1 1/2 cups of softened butter.
What type of sugar is used for the frosting?
The frosting uses 16 oz of confectioners' sugar.
How much orange zest is added to the frosting?
The frosting includes 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
How do you color the frosting orange?
You can tint the frosting with yellow and red food colorings to reach the desired orange hue.
How long should the frosting be beaten after adding sugar?
Beat for approximately 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
How should the frosting be applied to the cupcakes?
You can pipe the frosting using a star or decorative tip, or simply spread a generous layer over the cooled cupcakes.
What garnish is recommended for these cupcakes?
Garnish the cupcakes with Wilton leaves candy sprinkles for a festive look.
How many calories are in one cupcake?
Each cupcake contains 178 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 8g of fat per cupcake.
How many carbohydrates are in a cupcake?
Each cupcake contains 27g of carbohydrates.
How much protein does one cupcake provide?
Each cupcake provides 1g of protein.
How much sugar is in each cupcake?
There are 16g of sugar in each cupcake.
What is the total amount of butter needed for the entire recipe?
The total amount of butter needed is 1 3/4 cups.
What is a good beverage to serve with these cupcakes?
These cupcakes are excellent when enjoyed with a warm cup of tea.