Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

these rich, chocolatey, cupcakes have a tangy orange twist

Terry's Chocolate Orange in cupcake form-so essentially...perfection.

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

• 2 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 cup sugar

• 1 cup cocoa powder

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 2 tsp baking soda

• 1.5 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 1/2 cup milk, any variety

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 2 eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla bean paste, or extract

• 1 tsp orange extract

• 1/2 tbsp orange zest

• 1 cup boiling orange juice

For the frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp

• 2.5 cups powdered sugar, sifted

• 1 tsp orange extract

• 1 tbsp orange zest

• 1 tbsp orange juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a muffin pan with cupcake liners.

2. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. After whisking together dry ingredients, mix in oil, milk, orange juice, orange zest, orange extract, eggs, and vanilla.

3. Add in boiled orange juice while whisking vigorously.

4. In 1/3 cup increments pour batter into muffin pan, leaving enough room for the cupcakes to rise. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick can be inserted and removed cleanly.

5. While cupcakes cool, prepare the frosting by whipping up the butter until light and fluffy. Beat in orange zest, orange juice, powdered sugar, and orange extract. Continue whipping until smooth and thick.

6. Frost cupcakes and decorate to taste. Try sprinkling on diced candied citrus fruit or extra orange zest, or drizzle with chocolate ganache!

7. Devour!