Greetings from Lisa Keys from Good Grief Cook. I’m here today as a guest blogger, but before I share my recipe, for Orange Crush Soda Cupcakes, I thought I would tell you a little bit about myself. I have been an award-winning self-taught home cook since 1990, when I began entering recipe contests. Recently, I became a Food Network CHOPPED Champion, here today as a guest blogger.
I started my blog, Good Grief Cook after losing my son William in an accident in 2011, to follow in his light and share my thoughts about life, love and the healing power of food. Cooking and baking are very therapeutic for me. Since I started Good Grief Cook, I’ve been able to celebrate my son in a most unique way, with recipes inspired by the places I’ve been and the people I love.
Speaking of love, here comes Valentine’s Day. It is one of those love-hate holidays for most. Hopefully, you have a “crush” on someone and here is a simple way to show it.
Buy a can of Orange Crush soda and with a Sharpie, pen a sweet message on the can. Then…..print out this recipe and give it to them so they can bake you these cupcakes.
I prefer baking from scratch and cooking with seasonal ingredients. During the winter months citrus is at its peak. Oranges are hands down one of the best ways to add a fresh and zesty spin to cupcakes.
Using all parts of the orange (zest, juice and fresh slices) add up to one fun and refreshing treat.
Orange Crush Soda Cupcakes
Ingredients
- For the cupcakes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 1/8 teaspoon orange oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup orange Crush soda
- For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 2 drops orange oil
- Pinch of salt
- 2-3 teaspoons fresh orange juice
- Touch of orange food coloring
Instructions
- To make the cupcakes: Heat oven 350F. Line cupcake tin with paper liners. Cream butter, sugar, zest and orange oil with electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time beating until well incorporated. Mix flour, baking soda and salt.
- Gradually add in dry ingredients alternating with orange soda, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat one minute until all is thoroughly mixed.
- Scoop batter into prepared liners filling ¾ full. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool and frost.
- To make the frosting: Beat all ingredients together adding just enough orange juice to make a fluffy frosting.
Grace
Wednesday 20th of June 2018
I made these for my dad’s birthday, and I have to be honest, they were extremely weak. I used every orange product listed, and I consider myself a good baker, but the orange flavor was barely there, let alone an orange soda flavor. As far as quality, nothing special. I’d even say slightly dry, dense. Disappointing.
Lisa Keys
Wednesday 20th of June 2018
Thank you for the feedback. I use the lightly spoon and sweet method for measuring flour. Too much flour could contribute to a dry cupcake. For a more intense orange flavor add more zest and orange oil.
Joni Radeke
Tuesday 26th of September 2017
Will it mess the recipe up if you do not use orange oil?
Lisa Keys
Tuesday 26th of September 2017
not at all...just a little less intense orange flavor
Lisa keys
Tuesday 2nd of February 2016
You can buy orange oil at gourmet food shops. It's very concentrated so a little goes a long way. You might find it at Whole Foods or William Sonoma. Possibly kingarthurflour.com might have it too
Billie Jo
Tuesday 2nd of February 2016
Where do you buy orange oil? Is that like orange extract?