I’ve recently developed a gnarly addiction to watching the Kardashians.
It stemmed from being bored one day, done with work, house was cleaned and all I longed to do was watch crappy reality TV. I’d seen all the Real Housewives junk, Jerry Springer was nothing special and House Hunters makes me homicidal, so Kardashians it was. It was the first episode ever, and I was hopelessly, disgustingly hooked.
Kim was so young and had such a terrible taste in fashion. Kendall and Kylie were still wearing kiddie clothes. And Rob modeling in his Calvins was actually kinda swoon-worthy. And as if I were reading a great novel, you can’t just read part and set it down without ever knowing the ending. It’s like a crime against humanity, kind of like wearing socks with sandals or eating soggy cereal. You just don’t do it, you know?
So I started Netflixing all of the episodes and am now in the middle of season 4, right where Khloe just married Lamar and Bruce is all spit-fire over the fact that Kylie’s wearing eyeliner. And as disgusting as this addiction is, and even though I can feel my dad lose respect for me every time he enters the room, I just can’t tear my eyeballs away.
And it makes me wonder: if there was an E! camera crew here right now, they would probably fall asleep behind the equipment. They would get to film me hopelessly scrolling through awful messages on OkCupid while my dog, Mannie, barks incessantly in the background. I’ll make a salad and a smoothie for lunch and eat it while watching Ladies of London, a show I only watch because I have serious Brit-envy for some weird reason. And then they’ll film me pondering going to the gym for four hours before finally passing out on the couch yet again, settling in to watch another episode of Kardashians while my phone pings with another OkCupid message from someone with a neckbeard.
So there’s that.
The only way people would watch my show would be to (hopefully) see all of the yummy things I regularly crank out of my kitchen, these Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes included! Orange Creamsicles are and were one of my favorite treats in the summertime. Nothing beats a refreshing, frozen bar in the heat of the day or the irresistible combination of bright, fresh orange and creamy vanilla. I knew I wanted to make a scrumptious cupcake based off of one of my favorite ice cream bar treats and I think I succeeded and then some!
… which is more than I can say about my dating life, but hey, you can’t win at everything.
- 1 box orange cake mix
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 sticks butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream
- 1 Duncan Hines Orange Creme Frosting Creations packet
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
- Orange gummy candies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin tins with 18 paper liners and set aside. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs, oil and orange juice with a handheld electric mixer or until smooth.
- Portion the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling about ¾th of the way full. Bake for approx. 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Cool the cupcakes completely.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, vanilla extract, heavy cream and Duncan Hines Orange Creme packet together for about a minute or until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar about a cup at a time until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Pipe the frosting high onto the cooled cupcakes; top with a dollop of whipped cream. Garnish with an orange gummy slice.
I am in love with these cupcakes! They’re so light and moist and full of bright, orange flavor! The dollop of whipped cream on top of the soft, creamy orange-flavored buttercream is to-die for! It tastes like a cakey creamsicle and is perfect for your next summer party or BBQ 🙂
If you can’t find orange cake mix (I was shocked when I spied it at the store!) feel free to use yellow cake mix and follow the directions in my recipe. You can also add in orange extract to taste to amp up that orange flavor.
Have a fantastical day!
xo, Hayley
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
A childhood fave! Love the pics too!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I never got into the Kardashians. But Ladies of London? I love it. The Brits are so good at gracious comments that also say $%#@ you.
Evelin says
I’ve been searching for a simple recipe. I wanted to know if this can be made into a cake. How much longer is the baking time?
Thank you in advance.
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Mmmmm orange creamsicle is just the best thing ever. For reals. And since I have no life and can’t get to the shore to get an actual creamsicle, I shall make and eat all of these gorgeous cupcakes. 😀
Jules says
I fell into the SAME rabbit hole a few months ago! The Kardashians are my guilty pleasure. Except I have to watch it when no one is home because of my dad’s disapproval..haha! And these cupcakes sound so yummy. I love those creamsicles!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I understand the self hatred but weird glee that results from Keeping Up with the Kardashians lol!
These cupcakes are soo perty and refreshing looking!
tanya says
I totally think you should have your own show!!! Especially if you featured cupcakes like these! These are fabulous Hayley!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking says
I think there should totally be a baking blogger reality TV show! They could follow around all of us Sac bloggers, especially when we all get together like we did at Dorothy’s and share our awesome treats. They’d probably be able to get lots of sponsorships from grocery stores with how much time we spend in there! 😉
Judi says
I used to get real orange dreamsicles at high school for a nickle apiece – those were the days! Anyway, I digress. I love orange cake, but have always frosted mine with Dream Whip that I have zested a whole orange into, add just a smidge of orange flavoring and mix. Let it sit for at least an hour then frost your cake or cupcakes. Sometimes I don’t frost them, just have the container handy and put as much whipped topping as i want on each bite! LOL!! 🙂
katye says
I was wondering where do you find the creations mix. I have looked a couple places and cannot find it. I’ve found the orange cake mix but that’s all.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Katye, this recipe is older and back when Duncan Hines created the creations mix. Feel free to substitute orange Jello for the creations in the frosting.
Linda says
How much orange jello?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Linda, this frosting recipe uses a now-discontinued frosting creations packet by Duncan Hines. You can replace it by using 3-4 Tbsp of orange jello mix.
Marsha says
I found mine at walmart.
Marsha says
Made these for a tailgate party! These are super delicious! Had many compliments, everyone loved them!
thedomesticrebel says
Awesome tailgate party food, Marsha! Thanks for writing in!
Sue @ Frugal Gifts 2 Give says
These look absolutely refreshing! I can’t wait to make these for my niece’s graduation party! Thank you!
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks so much, Sue!
Melissa says
Curious – any reason this can’t be baked as a cake instead of cupcakes?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Melissa! This could certainly be baked as a cake!