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Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes are a delicious and refreshing. They taste just like a creamsicle ice cream treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- It’s easy! You are using a cake mix and pudding mix for easy assembly!
- Full of orange flavor! Thanks to the use of fresh orange juice, zest and the orange gelatin you have lots of great flavor.
- Tastes like summer! What screams summer better than creamsicle!
What is Creamsicle?
These cupcakes remind of my favorite childhood treat, a creamsicle (also known as a dreamsicle) It’s a frozen treat combination of orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream. Put these cupcakes at the top of your to make list if you are a creamsicle fan.
Ingredients Needed
- Orange flavored gelatin
- White cake mix. My favorite brand is Duncan Hines
- Cheesecake instant pudding and pie filling mix. If you can’t find cheesecake pudding use vanilla.
- Fresh Orange juice and zest. Squeeze an orange for best results.
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese, room temperature
- Butter, room temperature. I use salted butter, if using unsalted butter add in a pinch of salt.
- Powdered sugar
- Orange food coloring, optional
- White sprinkles, optional
How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
- Combine the dry ingredients including cake mix, gelatin (minus 2 tsp which is reserved for the frosting), pudding mix.
- Add in orange juice, eggs and oil and vanilla.
- Stir to combine.
- Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Fill muffin tins 2/3 full and bake at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Orange Frosting Recipe
- Allow butter and cream cheese to sit at room temperature and soften for at least an hour.
- Cream together butter and cream cheese until soft and creamy in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer.
- Mix in orange zest, reserved orange gelatin, vanilla and enough powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved.
- Frost cooled cupcakes. Use a piping bag if desired.
- Garnish with sprinkles if desired
Tips from leigh Anne
- Use a scoop to put the batter into the muffin tin for evenly sized cupcakes. This is my favorite one.
- Be sure your orange creamsicle cupcakes are totally cooled before frosting.
Do I Need To Refrigerate Cream Cheese Frosting?
You should always refrigerate any cake or cupcake made with cream cheese frosting. It can set at room temperature for several hours though to warm up and does not need to be served cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will orange creamsicle cupcakes last?
After frosting them, keep them stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for 3-4 days.
Can I freeze cupcakes?
I recommend freezing them before you frost them for the best results. Stored in an airtight container they will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. Frost after thawing.
For more delicious recipes try these:
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Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 3 oz. package orange flavored gelatin
- 15 oz. white cake mix
- 3 oz. cheesecake instant pudding and pie filling mix
- 1 1/4 cups orange juice fresh squeezed and zest from one orange for frosting
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
Frosting:
- 8 oz package cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 5-6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 tsp orange gelatin reserved
- orange food coloring if desired
- white sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Line cupcake pan with liners (makes about 24-27 cupcakes)
- Set aside 2 tsp of the orange gelatin for frosting
- In a bowl mix together the remaining gelatin, cake mix, pudding mix, orange juice, eggs, oil and vanilla
- Fill muffin cups with batter – about 2/3 full
- Bake for 18 – 20 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean
- Cool cupcakes before frosting
Frosting:
- Soften cream cheese and butter at room temperature for at least 30 minutes
- In a large bowl beat butter, cream cheese, reserved gelatin, orange zest and vanilla until light and fluffy
- Add in powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved
- Add in orange food coloring if desired for additional color
- Frost cupcakes and top with white sprinkles
Cupcake Daily Blog says
Absolutely lovely!! Thanks for sharing….
Vivian says
What is reserved gelatin ?
Leigh Anne says
It is the orange gelatin that is leftover from the cupcakes.
Patti says
I was wondering how to make the frosting firmer to pipe on the cupcakes. I sampled these to try for a baby shower and I loved them, so I will be making these for sure. But my frosting was so runny. I don’t want to change it because it was so good. Help?
Leigh Anne says
Just add in some more sugar to make the frosting stiffer. Make sure butter is soft but not too soft. Enjoy!
Kathy Perrins says
I hate to show my ignorance, but here it is..what are those amazing white dots on the frosting?
Leigh Anne says
They are called non-pareils and you will find them in the cake decorating section of your store – with the sprinkles. Aren’t they cute!?
Melissa says
I found you via pinterest and when I saw this recipe I just knew I had to make them right away. I made these a few weeks ago and everyone loved them! And by everyone, I mean our family of 3, my next door neighbors, and some of my hubby’s co-workers. Needless to say, I am making them again for my daughter’s birthday party this weekend 🙂 This is such a yummy and easy recipe – thank you SO much!!
Leigh Anne says
So glad you found the recipe and that you enjoyed it! It is one of my favorites