I love the flavor combination here. This reminds me of something from my childhood. I topped it with a sugary glaze made from the lemongrass citrus simple syrup I made the other day. So you don’t feel like making the simple syrup, no problem. These would taste equally divine with citrus juice or even a cream cheese frosting. Yum, yum.
I used soymilk with vinegar, to make it buttermilky. If you’ve got buttermilk on hand you can use that. Otherwise just use your favorite milk with a little vinegar, I seem to never have buttermilk on hand.
Vanilla Orange Cupcakes with Lemongrass Citrus Glaze
makes 12
- 1 cup milk or soymilk
- 1 tsp cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup oil (such as canola or grapeseed)
- 1 orange, zested & juiced
- 3 Tbsp of the fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose or spelt flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Heat oven to 350F
Prepare a muffin pan with papers or grease
Mix the milk with vinegar and set aside.
Combine the sugar, oil, zest, juice and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Mix very well to combine. Continue to beat with wooden spoon until a little fluffy, a couple minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk thoroughly.
Alternating between milk and flour mix all the ingredients into the sugar mixture. Do not over mix.
Carefully distribute the batter into the muffin pan equally
Bake 20-25 minutes, toothpick inserted into the cake should come clean when cakes are done.
Allow to cool.
Prepare the glaze
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tbsp orange juice or Lemongrass Citrus Syrup
Mix well and thin as needed until the mixture is at a drizzling like consistency. Thin with more juice, syrup or water until the desired flavor and consistency are reached. Drizzle over cooled cupcakes and top with the candied grated zest left over from the Lemongrass Citrus Simple Syrup. It makes a nice sparkly finish reminiscent of gold leaf, but recession style.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Like Creamsicle Cupcakes! they are so pretty, too!
Elle, I didn’t think of that but it is very similar. They remind me of something from my childhood maybe that is it! Thanks Girl
Can I substitute oil for unsalted butter?
Do you mean substitute butter for the oil? I would think so, if the butter was melted and cooled. If you try it I would love to hear how it went! Best of luck!