Do you also have fond memories of the first time you had orange sherbert mixed with vanilla ice cream on a stick? Maybe yours was from the ice cream truck? It's called a creamsicle, and it's probably the first sweet and sour dessert you ever loved.
Take the divine flavor of an epic vintage dessert and transform it into creamsicle cupcakes your guests will never forget.
Why This Recipe
Classic flavor combination. Orange and cream go together so beautifully. That's why this flavor combination is sometimes called dreamsicle. It's that good.
Convenient. This recipe uses store-bought items and mixes to make a gorgeous dessert quickly.
Summer in a cupcake. These amazing flavors are perfect for your summer party, poolside dessert, or family picnic.
How to Make Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
We show you how to use a box cake mix, orange soda, store-bought frosting, and whipped cream, and turn all of those convenience items into a to-die-for dessert everyone will love.
Ingredients for Creamsicle Cupcakes
Vanilla Cake Mix. Any brand and style of white cake mix will work.
Can of Orange Soda. Pick your favorite brand.
Orange Cupcake Liners. For appearance only, these are not strictly necessary.
Can of Vanilla Frosting. Store-bought for convenience!
Whipped Topping. This is mixed with the vanilla frosting to make a light and airy new frosting.
Orange Sprinkles. For decoration.
Orange and White Straws. For decoration. These are optional.
1M Wilton piping tip and piping bag or baggie. Optional for piping on the frosting.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Place cupcake liners into a cupcake pan.
- Add cake mix and orange soda to a large bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed for one minute.
- Fill each of the cupcake liners halfway with the cake batter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for about 1 hour.
- Mix frosting and whipped topping together.
- Add frosting to a piping bag or baggie with the frosting tip inside. (This is easiest done by putting the bag inside a large cup and folding the rim of the bag over the cup.)
- Gently push frosting down the bag to remove air, then start at the outer edge, gently squeezing the piping bag, and work your way around the cupcake, then around again towards the middle, ending in the middle.
- Top cupcakes with sprinkles before the frosting sets.
- Cut each straw into 4 pieces and insert one piece into each cupcake.
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Piping Bag
- Cupcake Liners
- Orange and White Striped Straws
- 1M Decorator TIp from Wilton
- Muffin Tins
Tips for Best Results
Make sure to cool the orange creamsicle cupcakes completely before adding frosting so that your frosting doesn't melt.
Make sure to add the sprinkles to your frosting before the frosting sets so that the sprinkles will actually stick.
Stock up on vanilla cake mixes when they are on sale (any brand) to make so many different amazing desserts!
FAQ
Can I make the creamsicle cupcakes recipe gluten-free?
I'm not sure. I haven't tried a gluten-free cake mix with orange soda before. If you try it, please come back and let us know in the comments!
Can I use a different cake mix?
This recipe is for orange creamsicle cupcakes with cake mix. I used a white cake mix with fantastic results. In theory you could use an orange cake mix or a yellow cake mix and the recipe should work with similar results for your orange creamsicle cupcakes. I haven't tried these variations personally to confirm.
More Great Cupcake Recipes
Don't forget to bookmark this recipe.
Creamsicle Cupcakes
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- Optional, 1M Wilton piping tip and piping bag or baggie
- electric mixer or stand mixer
- cupcake pan
- cupcake liners
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1 12 oz. can orange soda
- 1 15 oz. can vanilla frosting
- 1 8 oz. container whipped topping thawed
- Orange sprinkles
- Orange and white straws
- 24 orange cupcake liners
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Place cupcake liners into a cupcake pan.
- Add cake mix and orange soda to a large bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, and beat on medium speed for one minute.
- Fill each of the cupcake liners halfway with the cake batter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for about 1 hour.
- Mix frosting and whipped topping together.
- Add frosting to a piping bag or baggie with the frosting tip inside. (This is easiest done by putting the bag inside a large cup and folding the rim of the bag over the cup.)
- Gently push frosting down the bag to remove air, then start at the outer edge, gently squeezing the piping bag, and work your way around the cupcake, then around again towards the middle, ending in the middle.
- Top cupcakes with sprinkles.
- Cut each straw into 4 pieces and insert one piece into each cupcake.
Nutrition
We hope you enjoyed this easy cupcake recipe. If you are not yet subscribing to my CELEBRATE THE SEASON newsletter, you can subscribe here.
I share easy recipes to celebrate the season and a few things that I don’t share here. I email you only once a week, as I know how valuable your time is and respect that tremendously!
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on Organized Island, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! To see what I am up to, check out my stories on Instagram and let me know you are following. It would bring me much joy!
Want to streamline your weekly meals? Check out my Beginner's Guide to Meal Planning book on Amazon.
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
These would be so wonderful and tasty. I pinned the recipe and also selected these sweet treats as a feature this week. Thanks for sharing. #HomeMattersParty
Raquel
Thanks so much for the review Donna!
Tamara
These are fun and SO summery. And I love the idea of baking with soda.
Raquel
They were a blast to make!
Glenda
The perfect summertime cupcakes. They really do taste like orange creamsicles! thank you for this easy recipe. Wo loved it!
Cindy
Yummy and super cute too!
Allyssa
Loved this! This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended