Orange Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons of BOS Natural Orange Color

For the orange cream cheese frosting:

• 225g cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1-2 tablespoons orange juice
• BOS Natural Orange Color

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Prepare the cupcakes:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Mix in the orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Stir in the BOS Natural Orange Color to achieve the desired yummy shade of orange.

3. Bake the cupcakes:

• Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven and let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

4. Make the orange cream cheese frosting:

• In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the frosting is smooth and reaches your desired sweetness and consistency.
• Mix in the orange zest and orange juice. Add a required amount of BOS Natural Orange Color if desired for a deeper orange hue.

5. Frost the cupcakes:

• Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them generously with the orange cream cheese frosting using a piping bag or offset spatula.
• Optional: Garnish with additional orange zest or decorative sprinkles for a finishing touch.

6. Serve and enjoy! These orange cupcakes are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

These cupcakes are moist, flavorful, and bursting with natural orange goodness from the orange juice and zest and more remarkably, BOS Natural Orange Color adds a vibrant hue without any artificial additives, making them a delightful treat for any occasion!