Chocolate Orange Cupcakes Recipe 45

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Pre-heat your oven to 160C Fan/180C/350F/Gas Mark 4, and line a cupcake tin with cupcake cases
• For the cupcake sponge, mix together the butter and caster sugar, ideally using an electric mixer, until smooth and fluffy
• Add the eggs and orange extract and whisk them in well
• Then gently whisk in the self raising flour, baking powder and cocoa powder
• Divide the mixture between the cupcakes cases, and bake them for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cupcakes comes out clean. Put them on a rack to cool completely
• Make the buttercream by mixing together the butter, cocoa powder and icing sugar, then add the orange extract and milk, and mix until smooth. You can do this by hand, but an electric whisk are stand mixer with paddle attachment will provide the best results. If the buttercream is too stiff, you can add a little more milk
• Spread or pipe the buttercream on top of the cupcakes
• Decorate with the Terry's chocolate orange segments and orange sprinkles
• Store in an airtight container in a cool place and eat within 3 days

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES WITH DUFF'S SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two muffin tins with 18 cupcake liners.
• Pass the cocoa powder, all-purpose and cake flours, baking soda and baking powder through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Whisk in the granulated and light brown sugars, orange zest and salt until thoroughly combined. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, water, melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and whisk until combined.
• Divide the batter among the cupcake liners, filling each by about two-thirds. Bake until set and a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
• Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream and garnish with candied orange peel.
• Place the egg whites and sugar in the bowl of stand mixer. Set the bowl over a pot of gently simmering water and heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the sugar has dissolved and is warm to the touch (about 160 degrees F). When you touch the mixture, it should feel completely smooth and not at all gritty.
• Immediately transfer the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. On high speed, whip until glossy and stiff, about 15 minutes.
• Switch to the paddle attachment and lower the speed to medium. Add the butter, piece by piece, incorporating each before adding more. Lower the speed further and mix until silky and smooth.
• Remove the tops and bottoms from the oranges. Cut away the skin, removing both the peel and the white part of the skin. Cut the skin into thin strips.
• Place the peels in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute. Drain and repeat the process two more times.
• In a large pan over medium heat, stir the sugar and 1 cup water together until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, add the peels and reduce to heat to low. Cook, swirling occasionally (no stirring!), until the peels are very soft and almost translucent, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Toss the peels in sanding sugar until completely covered, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Begin by preheating oven to 350°F / 175°C. Place 12 cupcake liners in cupcake pan.
• Sift 3/4 cup all purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt into a large bowl and set aside.
• In a separate, large bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup orange juice, 2 large eggs, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 Tbsp fresh orange zest, 1 tsp vinegar, and 1 tsp orange emulsion or extract. Mix until combined.
• Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix together with a whisk or rubber spatula just until the batter in smooth.
• Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for about 18-21 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• Let the cupcakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan before moving them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
• While the cupcakes cool, make the orange chocolate buttercream. Beat 1/4 cup of unsalted butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a hand mixer until smooth.
• Mix in 1 Tbsp fresh orange zest, 1 tsp orange emulsion or extract, and 1/4 tsp salt on a low speed.
• Slowly mix in 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder, and 3 Tbsp of heavy cream on a low speed. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl as need with a rubber spatula.
• Mix in 1/4 cup of cooled, melted dark chocolate.
• Beat on low until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.
• If the frosting seems too thick, add an extra Tbsp of heavy cream. If it's too thin, add in another 1/4 cup of powdered sugar.
• Stir by hand with a rubber spatula to get the frosting SUPER smooth. Place into a large piping bag fit with a Wilton 1M frosting tip.
• If desired, remove the center of each cupcake with a small knife and fill with 1 Tbsp of orange marmalade.
• Pipe a rosette on top of the marmalade with the orange chocolate buttercream using a Wilton 1M piping tip.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh orange zest and an orange peel spiral.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder, chocolate chips, espresso powder, and boiling water until smooth and combined (the chocolate chips should be completely melted). Add sour cream, oil, eggs, sugar, extracts, and orange zest and whisk until well combined. Add the flour mixture and whisk until combined. If necessary, use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Fill the prepared muffin cups about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Depending on the size of your muffin cups you might have a few tablespoons of batter leftover.
• Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, but no raw batter. Be careful not to overbake. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan and place them directly on the rack to cool completely. Meanwhile, proceed with the frosting.
• Place the chocolate chips in a medium sized bowl, set aside.
• Place the cream in a small saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat (not a rolling boil), bubbles should be forming around the outside of the pan. Immediately pour the warm cream over the chocolate chips and allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for 2 minutes.
• After two minutes, use a whisk to stir the mixture until smooth and glossy. Whisk in orange extract. Place the bowl of ganache in your refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until thickened to a consistency similar to a thin nut butter or Nutella.
• Transfer the ganache to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip until fluffy and lightened in color - this happens fairly quickly. The frosting will be thick. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Garnish with sprinkles.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the sugar, flour, cocoa, pinch of salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil and milk. Gradually whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until you have a smooth mixture. Fold in the dark chocolate and orange zest. Put 12 cupcake cases in a 12-hole tin. Divide the mixture between the cases, then bake for 20 mins until risen. Leave to cool.
• Meanwhile, make the icing. Beat the icing sugar and butter together until pale and fluffy. Whisk in 2 tbsp hot water to loosen and fold in the orange zest. Divide the icing evenly between two bowls. Add a few drops of orange food colouring to one bowl and stir until the icing turns bright orange. In the other bowl, add the cocoa powder and 2 tbsp milk, then beat until combined.
• Fill one side of a piping bag (use one with a large round nozzle) with the orange icing, then fill the other side with the chocolate buttercream. Pipe on top of each cupcake. Decorate with some extra orange zest and a grating of dark chocolate.

SUNKEN CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place almonds in processor. Using on/off turns, blend until nuts are coarsely ground.
• Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Microwave chocolate and butter in small bowl on high 30 seconds; stir. Microwave until almost melted, about 30 seconds longer. Stir to combine. Cool chocolate mixture until barely lukewarm but still liquid, about 5 minutes. Whisk egg yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl until blended. Mix in orange peel, ground almonds, and chocolate mixture.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another large bowl until mixture is thick and glossy and peaks form. Fold egg-white mixture into chocolate mixture in 3 additions. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups (about 1/3 cup batter in each). Bake until edges are firm and tops are cracked all over, about 16 minutes for very soft cake or about 22 minutes for firmer cake. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm in microwave in 10-second intervals before serving.

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CUPCAKES WITH PISTACHIO BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups with shortening using a paper towel and dust with about 1 teaspoon flour or line with paper liners.
• Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, white sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat 1 cup cold water, olive oil, orange juice, and vanilla extract into flour mixture on medium-low speed until batter is just combined, about 2 minutes. Fold orange zest into batter. Pour batter into prepared muffin cups, 2/3-full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Beat butter in a bowl using an electric mixer in medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Slowly pour confectioners' sugar into creamed butter and beat until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Beat pudding mix into butter mixture until just combined. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency of icing is reached. Ice the cooled cupcakes; garnish with grated chocolate.

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE PINECONE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350˚. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
• Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Pour over the cocoa powder in a large bowl and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly. Whisk in the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla and orange zest until smooth. Whisk in the flour mixture until just combined.
• Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in the pan, then remove the cupcakes to a rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Place the chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool 3 minutes. Combine the butter, confectioners' sugar, milk, cocoa powder and vanilla in a food processor and process until fluffy, 1 minute. Add the melted chocolate and process until smooth, 1 minute. Let sit at room temperature about 30 minutes to firm up.
• Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe the frosting on the cupcakes about 2 1/2 inches high. Starting at the bottom, stick in cereal squares at a 45-degree angle to cover the frosting.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
• In a small bowl, stir the cocoa powder into the hot water until it dissolves; set aside.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl.
• Using the finest rasps of a hand held grater, grate the zest from the orange into the bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined.
• Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla, then the dissolved cocoa.
• Whisk in the melted butter, then the dry ingredients.
• Using a tablespoon, divide the batter among the muffin cups filling each about half full.
• Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and a skewer inserted into the center of one comes out clean 15-20 minutes.
• Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Remove the cupcakes from the pan.
• To make the frosting, melt the chocolate in a double-boiler or in the microwave and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with the paddle on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Beat in the melted chocolate until combined.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip with the frosting and pipe a spiral on top of each cupcake.
• Refrigerate the cupcakes until 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting.

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• Mix flour, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, and baking powder together in a food processor. Add butter and pulse until combined.
• Whisk milk, melted dark chocolate, and egg together in a measuring cup. Stir chocolate mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
• Heat orange juice and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar together over low heat until sugar has dissolved, 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully spoon orange juice mixture over warm cupcakes and set aside to cool completely, 15 to 30 minutes more.
• Beat 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Carefully stir in confectioners' sugar and continue to beat for 5 minutes. Beat in milk, melted white chocolate, and orange zest.
• Decorate cooled cupcakes with icing.
• Cut orange-flavored chocolate into shavings using a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler and use to decorate cupcakes.