EASY ORANGE ALMOND CUPCAKES W/ DK CHOCOLATE ICING

Easy Orange Almond Cupcakes w/ Dk Chocolate Icing image

Provided by Lynelle Caldwell @caldwell1932

Categories Cakes

Number Of Ingredients 17

CUPCAKES
1 box(es) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup(s) flour (high altitude)
- oil as listed on package
3 - eggs
- replace water on package with country style oj
1 box(es) vanilla instant pudding (sm)
1/8 teaspoon(s) almond extract (optional)
- add orange food coloring if you'd like a brighter orange color
2/3 cup(s) almonds, blanched chopped very fine
1 can(s) mandarin oranges; drained, patted dry & rough chopped
DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1 cup(s) butter, softened
1 cup(s) cocoa powder
1/2-1 cup(s) milk
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
4 cup(s) powdered sugar

Steps:

CUPCAKES Combine 1st 8 ingredients. Beat for 2 minutes fold in almonds and mandarin oranges.
Pour into Pam-sprayed cupcake papers (in a cupcake pan).
Bake at 375, according to directions, mine took about 20 minutes. Let cool totally. Frost with Dark Chocolate Frosting.
DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING In a large mixing bowl, cream butter. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and vanilla. Add milk until frosting reaches spreading consistency
Spread or Pipe onto cupcakes. I also put a orange candy slice on top if I want to add a wow factor.