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Orange Olive Oil Cupcakes Recipe

4.7 from 128 reviews

These Orange Olive Oil Cupcakes are moist, tender, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Made with olive oil and fresh orange juice, the cupcakes have a delicate crumb and a subtle fruity aroma. They are topped with a rich and creamy orange cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements the bright and zesty cupcake base. Ideal for a spring or summer gathering, these cupcakes showcase how simple ingredients can create an elegant and flavorful treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcake Batter

  • 2 1/2 cups Flour
  • 1 3/4 cups Sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons Orange Zest (zest before juicing)
  • 1 cup Olive Oil (or canola or vegetable oil)
  • 1 cup Fresh Orange Juice
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 cup Sour Cream

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 cup Salted Butter (softened)
  • 1 (8-ounce) package Cream Cheese (softened)
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Orange Juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Mix Dry Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients until thoroughly mixed.
  2. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, zest the oranges before juicing. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, fresh orange juice, eggs, sour cream, and orange zest. Mix until completely combined.
  3. Combine Batter: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients gently, mixing only until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  4. Prepare Muffin Pans: Line two 12-cup muffin pans with tulip parchment cupcake liners. To prevent sticking, generously spray the inside of each liner with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring the bottom and folds are well-coated.
  5. Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon or scoop the batter into each liner, filling them about two-thirds to three-quarters full. Avoid overfilling to prevent uneven baking or overflow.
  6. Bake the Cupcakes: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes. Rotate the pans halfway through baking if your oven heats unevenly. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cupcakes are ready.
  7. Cool the Cupcakes: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes before removing them to cool completely.
  8. Make Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese for 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through to ensure even mixing.
  9. Add Frosting Ingredients: Stir in the powdered sugar, orange zest, and fresh orange juice until smooth and well combined.
  10. Frost the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, frost them generously with the orange cream cheese frosting.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the wet ingredients.
  • Make sure the eggs, sour cream, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for best mixing results.
  • Using the tulip parchment liners sprayed with cooking spray helps prevent delicate olive oil cakes from sticking.
  • If desired, garnish the frosted cupcakes with candied or dried orange slices for a decorative touch.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep the frosting fresh.

Keywords: Orange cupcakes, olive oil cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, citrus desserts, moist cupcakes, orange zest cake