If you know me at all, you know how much I love to bake, and cake and cupcakes in particular, so when I found this gourmet cupcake flavor as I looked through offerings as cupcake shops, I thought it was perfect for my book, and even more perfect to develop a version of my own–and let me tell you, these babies are terrific!

First I list the quick version–using a box mix, then I’ll give you the ingredients for my homemade mix (which I prefer when I do cakes of any kind and I make in bulk for quick use). This cupcake as a light citrus taste with just a touch of cardamom–a perfect combination for my classy concert pianist character Adrianna from Blank Slate.

Orange-Cardamom Cupcakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 box of white or yellow cake mix
• 3/4 C Milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp orange extract
• 1 Tbsp orange zest
• 2 tsp cardamom
• Orange food coloring.
• From scratch cupcake mix (to use instead of the box mix).
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cups butter, margarine, or shortening

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients and separate into prepared cupcake pans.
2. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden.
3. Makes about 20 regular-sized cupcakes. 

Notes

When I make this in bulk, I mix all of the dry ingredients, then cut in the shortening with a pastry blender, but you can soften your butter or margarine and cream it with the butter, add the eggs and milk from the above recipe and then add the other ingredients one at a time, saving the flour for last, adding at half-cup increments. Bake according to directions above. Frost with your favorite frosting. Adrianna prefers cream cheese, but vanilla is almost as good!

Nutrition Information

Yield 20 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 115Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 19mgSodium 203mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 1gSugar 12gProtein 2g

Nutrition data calculated and provided by Nutritionix.