Description
Dreamsicle cupcakes bring nostalgic orange-vanilla magic to classic dessert lovers. Sweet citrus notes dance with creamy frosting, creating a delightful treat you’ll crave from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 package Orange DreamsicleTM Bar Mix
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) 2% milk
- 1 (8-ounce, 226 grams) package cream cheese, softened
Cupcake Liners and Topping:
- 12 paper cupcake liners
- 1/2 cup (40 grams) sweetened coconut flakes, toasted
Frosting and Garnish:
- 1 (12-ounce, 340 grams) container whipped cream cheese frosting
- 12 mandarin orange segments in light syrup, well drained and patted dry
Instructions
- Prepare the muffin pan by lining it with paper cupcake liners and set the oven temperature to 350F (175C).
- Mix the Orange Dreamsicle Bar Mix according to package instructions, incorporating half of the cream cheese and milk into the batter.
- Carefully distribute the batter evenly across the prepared cupcake liners, ensuring consistent fill levels.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 21-23 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake – it should come out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely within the pan, which helps maintain their structural integrity.
- Prepare the whipped cream cheese frosting by transferring it to a resealable piping bag, then snip a small corner to create a piping opening.
- Generously pipe the frosting onto the fully cooled cupcake surfaces, creating elegant swirls or peaks.
- Enhance the cupcakes’ visual appeal by sprinkling toasted coconut flakes and delicately placing a mandarin orange segment atop each frosted cupcake.
- Serve immediately for optimal freshness, or store in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Customize cake mix by adding a splash of orange extract for an extra zesty flavor boost.
- Replace regular milk with buttermilk to create a more tender, moist cupcake texture.
- Toast coconut flakes carefully to prevent burning, watching them closely for a perfect golden-brown color.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent soggy toppings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg