Chocolate and Orange Cupcakes

 

It’s the Fourth of July and we are headed to a BBQ and fireworks this evening.  We are lucky that we don’t even have to leave the neighborhood to see a great fireworks display.  We have someone who lives in the neighborhood who very generously puts on a great show each year over the soccer field.  Each year it gets better and better with music included.  Our friends live across the street from the soccer field so we bring chairs and blankets and spread out on their front lawn for the show each year.

 

I’ll be taking a Brown Rice Salad with fresh dill and summer tomatoes as a side dish tonight since the Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be provided.  I’ll be posting that recipe later in the week.  It’s so good and I haven’t made it in years.  And I am also go to bring a couple dozen of these Chocolate Orange Cupcakes.  Last year I took cupcakes and every single one vanished.

 

These are easy to make especially since they came from a mix and a tub!  I am not a snob when it comes to cupcakes.  No need to bake from scratch here. The easier the better. 

Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

1 box of Duncan Hines Orange Flavored Cake Mix

1 jar of Duncan Hines Creamy Home-style Classic Chocolate Frosting

1/2 tsp. orange extract

1 bag of orange slice candies

Prepare the cake mix according to directions on the back.  Pour the batter into lined cupcake pans and bake according to directions.  Remove from oven and let cool. 

Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract into the frosting and mix well.  Once the cupcakes are cooled you can frost with the icing and place an orange slice on the top of each cupcake.  Let set.  Refrigerate if it is a warm day to firmly set the icing and the candy on top.  

Not very patriotic looking but that’s okay with me.  And they smell wonderful too!