Orange Cardamom Cupcakes Recipes

UPSIDE-DOWN BLOOD ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease or line 24 muffin cups with paper or foil liners. Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of each orange; stand orange upright on a cutting board. With a knife, cut off peel and outer membrane from orange. Thinly slice oranges; trim to fit muffin cups. Place 1 slice in each cup; top with cranberry sauce. Bake 8 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, olive oil, eggs and orange oil, if desired; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Remove pans from oven; fill with prepared batter., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Remove liners; serve with creme fraiche, if desired.

ORANGE-CARDAMOM CUPCAKES WITH VANILLA FROSTING

Steps:

• Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Lightly spray insides of 33 paper molds with nonstick spray; arrange molds on 2 large rimmed baking sheets.
• Sift flour, ground cardamom, baking powder, and salt into large bowl. Whisk eggs, orange peel, vanilla, and orange-flower water in bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat butter in another large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Beat in egg mixture in 3 additions. Beat in dry ingredients in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each paper mold. Bake cupcakes until puffed and tester inserted into center comes out clean, reversing sheets after 12 minutes, about 25 minutes total (cupcakes may not brown on top). Transfer cupcakes to racks; cool completely.
• Frost orange cupcakes with vanilla frosting. (Can be made ahead. Arrange cupcakes in deep disposable roasting pans. Cover pans with foil. Refrigerate up to 2 days, or store at room temperature 1 day. Bring chilled cupcakes to room temperature before serving.)
• Decorate cupcakes with mini roses up to 4 hours before serving.
• *A flavoring extract sold at liquor stores and in the liquor section or specialty foods section of some supermarkets.