Easter Cupcakes With White Chocolate Frosting

Submitted by Lizzymommy

"from Food Network's Melissa D'Arabian, this is the recipe I turn to for a perfect frosting! :) The White Chocolate gives it sweetness, while the cream cheese lends a delicious tang to keep it from being TOO sweet, and it takes color beautifully. The cupcakes are perfect for whatever Springtime application you need - a light citrus flavor keeps it interesting, and enjoyable by kids and adults alike! As a note, the original recipe calls for 3 6-cup muffin tins, but when I made the recipe (3 or 4 times) it tended towards only 12 cupcakes. So, I'd say make sure you've got another tin on hand for any overflow in case it makes more like 18. :)"

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 20
• Yields: 12-18 cupcakes

ingredients

• Frosting

• 2⁄3 cup white chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

• Cupcakes

• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 egg yolks
• 1⁄2 cup sour cream
• 1⁄2 orange, zested (about 1 teaspoon)
• 1⁄2 orange, juiced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• assorted toppings such as blueberries, candy-coated chocolate eggs, jelly beans, rainbow cereal puffs, licorice string, and chocolate-cover

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12 to 18 muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2. 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, about 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, about 2 to 3 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
3. Cupcakes: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. With an electric mixer on high speed, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and egg yolks, 1 at 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.
4. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full with the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and let cool completely on a rack.
5. With a small metal spatula, spread the frosting over the tops of the cooled cupcakes; use assorted fruit and candies to decorate the cupcakes.