Sunkist Cupcakes

There's a recipe in my Big Book of Cupcakes for Orange Soda Cupcakes and I've been feeling the need to make them. So, yesterday, I did. The recipe is really easy, but it lies about the "Makes 12 cupcakes" part--in reality, it makes 12 regular ones and about 12-16 minis. What's wrong with it making more than it says? Absolutely nothing, but it sometimes gets on my nerves that the 'yield' is always wrong. Anyways, they're quite yummy (some of the most moist cupcakes I've ever made), though I could handle them being more orangey (maybe add 1/2 a teaspoon of orange extract). It also suggests using any flavor of soda you like, so I was thinking of trying a soda shoppe selection, at some point. Here's the recipe, along with the frosting that I altered from another cupcake recipe. Enjoy!


Sunkist Cupcakes
Yields 12-18 regular cupcakes


Ingredients:
Cupcakes
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp orange zest
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup orange soda
2 eggs
1/2-1 tsp orange extract (optional)


Frosting
3 cups powder sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp orange zest
1 1/2 Tbl orange soda
1-2 Tbl orange juice


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin pan with cupcake cups.
2. In large bowl, beat all cupcake ingredients on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl as needed, then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Divide batter among cups.
3. Bake 20-25 minutes (12-16 for minis) or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pans, then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat all frosting ingredients on medium speed until smooth and creamy. If frosting is too stiff, stir in additional orange juice 1 teaspoon at a time. Spoon frosting into decorating bag fitted with desired tip and frost the crap out of those lovely little cupcakes.