Go Back
chocolate orange
Print Pin

Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

A rich chocolate cupcake topped with a creamy chocolate buttercream full of orange flavor!
Author The Cupcake Chronicles

Ingredients

For the cake

  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1 cup hot coffee
  • juice from 1 mandarin orange

For the buttercream

  • 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 3 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3-4 tbsp heavy cream, or milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Juice and zest from 1 mandarin orange (you can add more or less depending on how much flavor you want)

for the ganache

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Line a cupcake tin with liners and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • add the oil and sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer until combined and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time. Beating after each addition. Add in vanilla and almond.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder. Slowly add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Alternate with milk until all milk and dry ingredients are combined.
  • Once combined slowly pour in your coffee. The batter WILL be very thin. This is okay!
  • fill the cupcake tins 3/4 of the way full
  • Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean
  • Let cool completely before taking of tins.

for the buttercream

  • Cream the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add in vanilla and orange juice/zest.
  • Add in heavy cream or milk a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Continue to beat until light and fluffy.

For the ganache

  • Boil the heavy cream either on the stove or in the microwave. Once boiling add in the chocolate chips and cover for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. It will thicken as it cools.

Assembly

  • Pipe the buttercream on top of the cupcakes with desired piping tip. Drizzle tops with chocolate ganache and top with more orange zest if desired.