Get ready to enjoy a blast from the past with a tasty twist! These Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes bring back memories of the classic ice cream truck treat, orange creamsicle popsicles, but in cupcake form.
Packed with orange flavor and topped with creamy vanilla frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to special celebrations like baby showers.
Made with simple ingredients like cake mix and orange soda, this recipe is super easy to make. So get ready to whip up these delicious cupcakes that will take you on a trip down memory lane. This time, you won't need to chase down the ice cream man!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with vibrant orange flavor, just like your favorite creamsicle popsicles
- Simple and easy to make, perfect for both beginner and experienced bakers
- Light and fluffy texture with a moist crumb that melts in your mouth
- A nostalgic treat that brings back memories of childhood summers and visits from the ice cream truck
- Beautifully decorated with creamy vanilla frosting and fun orange sprinkles
Ingredients for creamy orange 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.
Equipment and kitchen tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Optional, 1M Wilton piping tip and piping bag or baggie
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Cupcake tin
- Cupcake liners
How to make this cupcake recipe
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place cupcake liners into a cupcake pan.
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake mix and orange soda. Beat on medium speed for one minute until well combined.
Fill each cupcake liner halfway with the cake batter.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Allow the cupcakes to cool on a wire rack for about an hour.
In a separate bowl, mix together the vanilla frosting and whipped topping until well combined.
Transfer the frosting mixture into a piping bag fitted with a frosting tip. (This is easiest done by putting the bag inside a large cup and folding the rim of the bag over the cup.)
Starting from the outer edge, gently squeeze the piping bag to frost each cupcake, working your way around and towards the middle.
Top each cupcake with orange sprinkles.
Cut each straw into 4 pieces and insert one piece into each cupcake for decoration.
Tips for the Best Results
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal mixing and texture.
- Use a gentle folding motion when combining the frosting and whipped topping to maintain a light and airy texture.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Experiment with different flavors of soda for unique variations, such as using orange crush soda for an extra citrus kick.
- Make sure to add the sprinkles to your frosting before the frosting sets so that the sprinkles will actually stick.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add some orange extract for a more intense orange flavor.
- Add fresh orange zest to the cupcake batter for an extra burst of citrus freshness.
- For a creamier frosting, substitute orange cream cheese frosting for the vanilla frosting. You could also try buttercream frosting.
- Experiment with different cake mixes, like a yellow cake mix for a slightly different flavor.
FAQs about This Recipe
Yes, you can store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Frost the cupcakes just before serving for the best taste and texture.
Yes, you can experiment with different flavors of soda to create unique variations of these cupcakes. Try lemon-lime soda for a citrusy twist or cream soda for a creamier flavor.
Yes, unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before frosting and serving.
More yummy cupcake recipes
📖 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!
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