CITRUS CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Citrus Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting image

Provided by Melissa d'Arabian : Food Network

Categories dessert

Yield 12 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 19

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Ingredients

2/3 cup white chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch fine salt
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 stick (4 ounces) butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 orange, zested (about 1 teaspoon)
1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice
Assorted toppings such as blueberries, candy-coated chocolate eggs, baby jelly beans, rainbow cereal puffs, licorice string and chocolate-covered graham crackers

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line one 12-cup or two 6-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners. For the frosting: Put the chocolate chips and shortening in a medium microwavable bowl. Microwave on high, stirring halfway between cooking time, until the chocolate is melted, 40 to 50 seconds. Stir until smooth. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the melted chocolate, orange juice, vanilla and salt until blended. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside. Makes 2 cups. For the cupcakes: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. With an electric mixer on high speed, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the sour cream, zest and juice until blended. Add the flour mixture on low speed and beat until just blended. Fill each muffin cup two-thirds full with the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in the tin on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the tin and let cool completely on the rack. To assemble: With a small metal spatula, spread the frosting over the tops of the cooled cupcakes. Use assorted fruit and candies to decorate the cupcakes.
Active Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (includes cooling time)