Faux-stess Cupcakes

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Annnnd....after a brief (hah) 3 month hiatus, we're back! Life kind of got in the way lately (new job, play, the holidays, etc), but I can assure you that I have been baking and crafting over the past three months. I'm going to try to play catch up and post about some things I did in Nov-Feb, but for now how about something current?

My husband and I have been in a play for the past five weeks (closing is this weekend), and last weekend one of our castmates had a party. She decided to have a pot luck, so obviously I chose to bring dessert. Originally I was going to decorate the cupcakes using details from my character, but I ran out of time.

I've been wanting to try my hand at a Faux-stess cupcake (faux Hostess cupcake) for some time now. I love Hostess Cupcakes. I don't think there was ever a time when I didn't like them, but when my husband and I started going on road trips together they were the perfect treat. Two to a pack, so we could split them, and not something we ate on an every day basis.

My husband asked me to make extras (for a coworkers) birthday, so I decided to make the cupcakes in both chocolate and orange flavors (I know the Hostess site says "golden" but I swear those suckers taste orange to me).

I used a Martha Stewart 1 Bowl chocolate cake recipe for the chocolate cupcakes. I was a little iffy on the cupcakes when I put them into the oven- but holy cats were they awesome after baking! This is probably the best chocolate cupcake I have made. They were light, fluffy, and really flavorful.

For the orange cupcakes, I modified a recipe from Wilton for Golden Yellow cupcakes by using 1/2 orange extract and 1/2 vanilla extract (instead of only vanilla). They came out pretty well- light, fluffy, flavorful- but I might cut back a tiny bit on the orange if I make them again.

After baking the cupcakes (each recipe yielded 24 cupcakes), and allowing them to cool, I used the cone method to fill the cupcakes. I definitely need a little more practice with this method but it wasn't hard.

I used a recipe from Baking Bites for the filling, and while it tasted just fine, I'm not sure I would use it again. It called for thickening milk with flour over a medium burner (on the stove) and I hated that method. Just hated it. I would much rather just make a whipped cream frosting for the centers.

The cupcakes were all topped with white whipped cream frosting- because I felt they were already rich enough. Using buttercream would have pushed them over the edge to sickeningly sweet.

Everyone at the party (and my husband's work) loved them. I will definitely be making these again.

I will post a photo of the orange verson as soon as I upload it from my camera.

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

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I was searching for a nice, light, summery cupcake to make when I visit my parents for their Mortgage Burning Party. I found a lot of great baking blogs, and on 52 Cupcakes I found the recipe for Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes with Marshmallow Fluff Frosting. I used to love Orange Creamsicles growing up, and I know my Dad has a special affinity for them too, so I decided to give the recipe a try.

The recipe itself was really easy. Cake mix from a box and an addition of pudding mix (not instant). Viola! And the cupcakes came out very airy, light, and moist. I took the first 12 out of the oven a little earlier than I should have, because they looked done.

I was also a little concerned that the Marshmallow Fluff frosting would be too sweet, however I was pleasantly surprised. The frosting melts easily though (we've had normal weather for June, high 70's and the 80's), so I would recommend putting these in the fridge until you're ready to eat them, if you live in a house sans A/C (like I do). I tried to tint the frosting orange, but regular food coloring was not cutting it (as you can see from the first photo), I bought frosting food coloring for next time.

ETA: I made these again in July, and the food coloring and more artful frosting make them look even yummier!