You’re probably wondering what has happened to the girl who used to have lukewarm feelings at best towards citrus, what with all the citrus-based desserts I’ve been sharing lately. No worries, my heart will always belong to chocolate, but I’m glad that I’ve seen the error of my ways and have come to appreciate citrus in all its sweet-tartness.
These orange vanilla bean cupcakes were a recent coworker birthday selection. Given my own hesitations about citrus desserts, I wasn’t sure how well they would go over. But, by the end of the day I had received several emails from people raving about them, and was stopped by multiple people in the halls asking when I would be posting the recipe. The cake is moist and tender with plenty of orange flavor, and perfectly pairs with the light, fluffy vanilla buttercream.
As you well know, I’m a big believer in garnishes and how quickly they can elevate a cupcake from good to great, so take my advice and don’t skip the candied orange slices. They are beautiful, fully edible, and deceptively impressive – people would never guess how simple they are to make. With the vivid colors and fresh, bright flavors, I’m sure these cupcakes would be a welcome contribution at any Easter or spring get-together. Enjoy!