Chocolate Orange Pinecone Cupcakes Food

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the sugar, flour, cocoa, pinch of salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil and milk. Gradually whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until you have a smooth mixture. Fold in the dark chocolate and orange zest. Put 12 cupcake cases in a 12-hole tin. Divide the mixture between the cases, then bake for 20 mins until risen. Leave to cool.
• Meanwhile, make the icing. Beat the icing sugar and butter together until pale and fluffy. Whisk in 2 tbsp hot water to loosen and fold in the orange zest. Divide the icing evenly between two bowls. Add a few drops of orange food colouring to one bowl and stir until the icing turns bright orange. In the other bowl, add the cocoa powder and 2 tbsp milk, then beat until combined.
• Fill one side of a piping bag (use one with a large round nozzle) with the orange icing, then fill the other side with the chocolate buttercream. Pipe on top of each cupcake. Decorate with some extra orange zest and a grating of dark chocolate.

ORANGE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE MOSAIC

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two cupcake pans with dark (black or dark brown) cupcake liners.
• Add the butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. (Do not skimp on the creaming time!) Add the sour cream, orange zest and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add the egg whites in two batches, mixing until well combined after each addition. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to be sure all the ingredients are well incorporated.
• Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate large bowl and whisk together. Combine the milk and orange juice in a measuring cup.
• Add half the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until well combined. Add half the milk mixture and mix until well combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to be sure all the ingredients are well incorporated. Add the last of the milk mixture and mix to combine, being sure not to overmix.
• Use an ice cream scoop to fill the cupcake liners three-quarters of the way to the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out with a few crumbs sticking to it, 15 to 17 minutes. Allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.
• For the rum marshmallow filling: Add the marshmallow creme to a medium bowl. Stir in the rum until well combined. Transfer the filling to a disposable pastry bag.
• For the frosting: Put the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and salt and beat until combined. Add the cocoa powder and beat on low speed until combined. Add half the powdered sugar and half the milk. Beat on low speed until the ingredients are moistened, then turn the mixer to high and beat until well incorporated. Add the remaining powdered sugar and another 2 tablespoons milk; mix on low again until the ingredients are moistened, then turn the mixer to high and beat until fluffy. (This is a thick icing; if you prefer a thinner consistency, add more milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired thickness.)
• Use a paring knife to cut a small plug out of the center of the top of each cupcake, saving the cake plugs. Cut the tip from the pastry bag with the filling and fill the center of each cupcake with a small amount of marshmallow filling. Trim the bottoms of each cake plug and use to seal the holes in each cupcake.
• To decorate: Frost each cupcake with the frosting, using an offset spatula to smooth the tops. Arrange the cupcakes next to each other with their edges touching in a 4-by-6 grid on a large cake board or platter.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the green gum paste to about 1/8-inch thick and cut twenty-four 1-inch squares. Place on the lined baking sheet and let dry 15 minutes. Roll out the blue gum paste and cut four 2-inch teardrops; place on the lined baking sheet and let dry for 15 minutes. Repeat with each of the three remaining colors (pink, purple, red) to make a total of 12 more teardrops.
• Brush the top of each of the blue teardrops with a small amount of the alcohol, then sprinkle with blue edible glitter. Repeat with each of the colored teardrops, sprinkling each with its coordinating colored glitter. Use a small amount of alcohol to moisten the top half of a green square, then position a teardrop on top, pointy-side out, to look like a small lightbulb on a string of lights. Repeat with the remaining teardrops and squares. Let dry for a few minutes.
• Use an offset spatula to place a lightbulb on top of each cupcake, varying the colors and the direction they are pointing throughout the grid of cupcakes. Thread the licorice laces around, looping them and attaching them to lightbulb bases occasionally, to mimic a tangle of holiday lights.

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MERINGUE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners. Put the cocoa powder in a large bowl. Microwave the milk and water in a small microwave-safe bowl until steaming, 1 to 2 minutes; pour over the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Whisk the sugar, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla and orange zest into the cocoa mixture, then whisk in the flour mixture.
• Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling them three-quarters of the way. Bake until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when gently pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Make the ganache: Microwave the chocolate and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted, about 1 minute. Let sit until thickened but still pourable, 5 minutes. Spoon over the cupcakes, gently spreading to cover. Let set 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the meringue: Whisk the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Cook, whisking, until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff glossy peaks form, 5 to 8 minutes. Tint with orange food coloring. Generously spread the meringue on the cupcakes and lightly brown with a kitchen torch.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES WITH LIMONCELLO FROSTING

Steps:

• To make the cupcakes: mix the chocolate cake mix according to package instructions, substituting orange juice for the water. Toss the chocolate chips with the flour. Fold the chocolate chips and the candied orange peel into the chocolate mixture. Line the muffin pan with the cupcake liners. Fill and bake the cupcakes according to package instructions. Let the cupcakes cool for 1 hour on a wire rack before frosting.
• To make the frosting: combine all the ingredients except the candied orange peel in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Using a small spatula, place about 1 tablespoon of frosting on top of each cupcake. Top with a small sprinkle of candied orange peel.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Line 12 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
• In a small bowl, stir the cocoa powder into the hot water until it dissolves; set aside.
• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl.
• Using the finest rasps of a hand held grater, grate the zest from the orange into the bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined.
• Whisk in the buttermilk and vanilla, then the dissolved cocoa.
• Whisk in the melted butter, then the dry ingredients.
• Using a tablespoon, divide the batter among the muffin cups filling each about half full.
• Bake until the cupcakes are puffed and a skewer inserted into the center of one comes out clean 15-20 minutes.
• Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Remove the cupcakes from the pan.
• To make the frosting, melt the chocolate in a double-boiler or in the microwave and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with the paddle on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Beat in the melted chocolate until combined.
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip with the frosting and pipe a spiral on top of each cupcake.
• Refrigerate the cupcakes until 30 minutes before serving to set the frosting.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CUPCAKES WITH DUFF'S SWISS MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two muffin tins with 18 cupcake liners.
• Pass the cocoa powder, all-purpose and cake flours, baking soda and baking powder through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Whisk in the granulated and light brown sugars, orange zest and salt until thoroughly combined. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, water, melted butter and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and whisk until combined.
• Divide the batter among the cupcake liners, filling each by about two-thirds. Bake until set and a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
• Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream and garnish with candied orange peel.
• Place the egg whites and sugar in the bowl of stand mixer. Set the bowl over a pot of gently simmering water and heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the sugar has dissolved and is warm to the touch (about 160 degrees F). When you touch the mixture, it should feel completely smooth and not at all gritty.
• Immediately transfer the bowl to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. On high speed, whip until glossy and stiff, about 15 minutes.
• Switch to the paddle attachment and lower the speed to medium. Add the butter, piece by piece, incorporating each before adding more. Lower the speed further and mix until silky and smooth.
• Remove the tops and bottoms from the oranges. Cut away the skin, removing both the peel and the white part of the skin. Cut the skin into thin strips.
• Place the peels in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute. Drain and repeat the process two more times.
• In a large pan over medium heat, stir the sugar and 1 cup water together until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, add the peels and reduce to heat to low. Cook, swirling occasionally (no stirring!), until the peels are very soft and almost translucent, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Toss the peels in sanding sugar until completely covered, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

CHOCOLATE-ORANGE SCONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a small bowl, combine pancake mix, cream and orange zest. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 6 times. Knead in chocolate., Pat into a 9-in. circle. Cut into eight wedges. Separate wedges and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm.