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Sunkist Orange Cupcakes are a bright citrus flavored cake that is light and fluffy but bursting with intense orange flavor.
This Sunkist Orange Cupcakes recipe is perfect for parties – summer parties, birthday parties or just because it is Tuesday parties. The recipe is quick and easy, and the soda really makes them fluffy. The carbon dioxide bubbles in soda act as a leavening agent, therefore the cupcakes will rise and become very light, tender and fluffy.
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Cotton Candy Cupcakes | Banana Pudding Cupcakes | Shirley Temple Cherry Cupcakes
What We Love About This Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes Recipe
Flavor! These cupcakes have tons of flavor. They are perfect for any occasion and a great recipe to make with your kids.
- 30 Minutes: A quick and easy cupcake that makes this recipe a winner.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry.
- Adaptable: Can make it low-carb or dairy free, etc…
Ingredient Notes for 3 Ingredient Cupcakes
- Sunkist Soda: One can, 355 ml.
- White Cake Mix: A box cake mix of your choosing
- Butter: Salted or unsalted work, or margarine, butter-flavored shortening, coconut oil, vegan butter
- Powdered Icing Sugar: Sift for optimal results
- Milk: Dairy free milk can be used if necessary
Equipment Needed for Creamsicle Cupcakes
- KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls
- OCTAVO 5 Speed Hand Mixer Electric
- Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Standard Muffin and Cupcake Pan, 12-Cup Baking Pan
- Caperci Standard White Cupcake Liners 500 Count,
- Cooling Rack
- Cookie Scoop
How to Make Sunkist Orange Cupcakes
These are the basic steps for making Sunkist Orange Cupcakes. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: PREP
First, preheat oven to 350F and then line a muffin tray with cupcake liners and set aside.
STEP 2: BAKE
Next, in a large bowl, beat together the white cake mix and Sunkist for a total of 2 minutes. Scoop the batter with a measuring cup into the cupcake liners and then bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
STEP 3: REDUCE
Meanwhile, place 1 cup of Sunkist in a saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce to medium-low and simmer until reduced to 1/4 (2 ounces of soda should remain). Allow to cool completely.
STEP 4: FROSTING
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and powdered icing sugar for 2-3 minutes, then add the reduced Sunkist soda. Beat to mix well together, then add the milk as needed to achieve a spreadable texture. Adjust the color with orange food dye, if needed. Use an angled spatula to spread 1-2 Tablespoons of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
STEP 5: GARNISH
Finally, garnish with sprinkles and sugar.
Prep and Storage Tips for this Summer Cupcake
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
Bake the cupcakes ahead of time and freeze in an airtight container or wrapped well with plastic wrap or foil.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store the Sunkist Orange Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Freeze as described above for up to four months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and then follow the steps in the recipe card below to decorate the cupcakes with the frosting.
Frequently Asked Questions for Cupcake Flavors for Summer
Really there are several ways to adjust this recipe to make these cupcakes suit your needs. For example, use a gluten free cake mix, use a sugar free cake mix and sugar free orange soda. Use dairy alternatives.
Of course, in place of a white cake mix, use a yellow cake mix, butter cake mix or funfetti flavors.
Yes, you can make as many as you need. Simply double the recipe or freeze what you do not need until later.
Expert Tips for Making This Sunkist Orange Cupcakes Recipe
- Add Zest: For more orange flavor add some fresh orange juice or orange zest.
- Short cut tip: Bake when you have time and then freeze until ready to decorate.
- Variation tip: Use candy oranges to decorate the top of these cupcakes.
- Make Minis: Use a mini cupcake pan and make lots of small cupcakes. Perfect for little ones or for parties.
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Sunkist Orange Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 355 milliliters Sunkist, 1can
- 1 box White Cake Mix
- Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup Sunkist, or use 1 teaspoon Orange flavor extract
- ½ cup Butter, softened
- 4 cups Powdered Icing Sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons Milk
- Orange Sprinkles, as needed
- Orange Sugar Crystals, as needed
Instructions
- Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together the white cake mix and Sunkist for a total of 2 minutes.
- Scoop the batter with a measuring cup into the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, nothing sticking to it.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. (1-2hours)
- While waiting , place 1 cup of Sunkist in a saucepan and heat until boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer until reduced to 1/4 (2 ounces of soda should remain). Allow to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter and powdered icing sugar for 2-3 minutes, then add the reduced Sunkist soda. Beat to mix well together, then add the milk as needed to receive a spreadable texture. Adjust the color with orange food dye, if needed.
- Use an angled spatula to spread 1-2 Tablespoons of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
- Put the sugar crystals in a small bowl and roll the cupcakes in the sugar crystals to cover completely.
- Scoop the rest of the frosting into a piping bag and snip off the bottom 1” of the piping bag.
- Swirl a 1” circle onto each cupcake and garnish with orange sprinkles.
Expert Tips
- Add Zest: For more orange flavor add some fresh orange juice or orange zest.
- Short cut tip: Bake when you have time and then freeze until ready to decorate.
- Variation tip: Use candy oranges to decorate the top of these cupcakes.
- Make Minis: Use a mini cupcake pan and make lots of small cupcakes. Perfect for little ones or for parties.