Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

For a church activity I was asked to make cupcakes.  "Something white." she said.  "Like vanilla, or banana."  And then she handed me some fancy cute orange and white polka dotted cupcake liners and I chose to ignore her suggestions.  Cause I'm a rebel. With access to pinterest :)  And I love orange. Vanilla is just so boring, and banana wasn't going to happen. (gross)

And so I made Orange Creamsicle cupcakes, which I may very humbly say were as delicious as they were pretty. (I got lots of compliments)   Here's the original link to the recipe over at Bird on a Cake. 

The cake recipe itself is fairly easy, just a modified box cake recipe. The only real trick was with the frosting, and that was actually easier than it looks.

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

1 Package white cake mix
1 (4 serving size) package cheescake pudding mix
1 (3 oz package) orange flavored jell-o powder
1 1/4 cups orange juice
4 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two cupcake pans with paper liners.  Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  Pour batter into liners, filling each 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes.  Cool completely.

Orange Creamsicle Frosting

1 8 oz package cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
6 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp orange extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
orange food coloring

Cream together cream cheese and butter.  Gradually add powdered sugar and then the extracts.  Mix until smooth.  Divide frosting between two bowls.  Add orange food coloring to one bowl and mix well.

To get the two tone look of the cupcakes, fill one disposable pastry bag with white frosting, and the other with orange.

Snip off the tips and drop into a larger disposable pastry bag fitted with a large star tip and coupler.  Twist the end of the bags together and hold firmly between your thumb and first finger, squeeze until frosting comes out.

Starting at the edge of the cupcake, make a swirl pattern and pipe from the outside to the center.