Orange and Vanilla Cupcakes

We love a cupcake here and these make the perfect afternoon tea at home treat. I love the combination of the fragrant orange with the subtle vanilla. I first made these for a charity fundraiser afternoon tea a few years ago. I wanted to reshare the post as my cupcake recipes are incredibly popular on the blog!

Yummy!

Orange and Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients (makes 12)

For the bun

• 140g sugar
• 100g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 135g vegetable oil
• 4 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Juice of 2 oranges

For the butter icing

• 150g  unsalted butter, softened
• 300g icing sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk
• Juice of half an orange
• Rind of three oranges, finely grated
• Hundreds and Thousands for decorating

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cupcake or muffin cases
2. Put all the cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk or a wooden spoon until smooth and evenly mixed. Divide the mixture evenly between the paper cases
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cakes are well risen and firm on top. Transfer to a wire rack to cool
4. Now prepare your orange and vanilla buttercream
5. Beat the butter in a large bowl until soft
6. Add half of the icing sugar and beat into a smooth paste
7. Add the remaining icing sugar, the orange juice and rind
8. Beat the mixture until creamy and smooth. Add more milk if the mixture needs loosening more
9. Using a piping bag, top your cupcakes with the buttercream into a swirl.
10. Decorate with sprinkles.