Date Cupcakes With Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

Cupcake-Princess's Note:

I got this great recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, "Cupcakes! By: Elinor Klivans". These cupcakes are so yummy the only thing I changed was the frosting, I used my cream cheese frosting recipe instead, which is less sweet.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Cupcakes

• 1 cup chopped pitted dates
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

Frosting

• 1/4 butter, softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions:

1. For the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with 12 paper baking cups, spray inside each liner with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Put dates into a small bowl and pour boiling water over them. Set aside to cool to room tempature, about 10 minutes.
3. In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg, molasses, and vanilla. On low speed gradually add flour mixture alternating with milk and beat until blended. Stir in dates and walnuts.
5. Divide batter evenly between prepared baking cups. Bake until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a cooling rack to cool completley.
6. For the frosting: In a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed cream butter and cream cheese until smooth.
7. On low speed gradually add powdered sugar. Add vanilla and orange zest and beat until smooth and creamy. Spread frosting on cupcakes.