Celebration Cupcakes With Citrus Frosting Recipes

CITRUS CUPCAKES WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING

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)

LEMON CHAMPAGNE CELEBRATION CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 15x10x1-inch pan with foil. Spray with cooking spray.
• Make cake batter as directed on box, using cake mix, water, champagne, oil and eggs. Stir 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel into batter. Pour into pan.
• Bake 17 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not remove cake from pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Place pan of cake in freezer. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• In small bowl, mix lemon curd and sour cream until well blended. Set aside.
• To assemble cupcakes, remove cake from freezer; using foil, lift cake from pan. Using 2 1/4-inch round biscuit cutter, cut 24 rounds from cake. Place 12 rounds top side down. Spread each with about 1 teaspoon lemon curd filling. Top with remaining cake rounds, top side up.
• In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar, melted butter and lemon juice until well blended. Spoon about 1 tablespoon icing over each cake, allowing icing to run down sides of cake.
• To serve, place each cake in decorative cupcake liner, and garnish with lemon peel curls, if desired.

STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION CUPCAKES

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, melt sweet baking chocolate over low heat, stirring frequently. Place waxed paper on cookie sheet. Spread melted chocolate in 8-inch square on waxed paper. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Remove chocolate from refrigerator; let stand until room temperature. Cut with cookie cutters of desired shapes and sizes. Refrigerate until ready to place on cupcakes. Carefully peel cutouts from waxed paper, handling as little as possible. Dip half of each cutout into melted white baking chocolate; refrigerate until set.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Line 36 regular-size muffin cups with paper baking cups. In large bowl, beat all remaining ingredients except frosting with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter into muffin cups, filling each 1/2 full.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Spread with frosting. Garnish with chocolate cutouts.