Vegan Creamsicle Cupcakes

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Around our neighborhood are orange trees everywhere overflowing with ripe orange this time of year. We always walk Panza by them but I usually forget to bring a bag to pick some. This time I made a special trip for some.The oranges make delicious freshly squeezed juice and are perfect for these Vegan Creamsicle Cupcakes. There is orange in every component - zesty orange cake, vegan orange curd, and coconut cream frosting with orange zest.Recipes adapted from Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.

Vegan Creamsicle Cupcakes

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 3/4 cup coconut milk

• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 1/2 cup flour

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (for color)

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

Orange Curd

• 3/4 cup coconut milk

• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (for color)

• 1 teaspoon orange zest

Frosting

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk chilled in fridge overnight

• 1/4 cup solid coconut oil

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon orange zest

For the cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 liners.

2. Mix together oil, sugar, coconut milk, orange juice, and vanilla.

3. In separate bowl combine flour, turmeric, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix till just combined. Add orange zest and mix. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.

For the curd

1. In a saucepan whisk together all ingredients except orange zest. Place over low heat and whisk for 5 minutes while mixture heats up. Keep cooking for 5 to 10 more minutes until the curd starts to thicken. Turn off heat and let cool.

For the frosting

1. Skim coconut cream off the top of the chilled can of coconut milk. Place in stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Whisk till coconut cream gets light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, coconut oil, and orange zest and continue to whisk. Use immediately.

To assemble the cupcakes

1. Use a serrated knife to cut a hole in the middle of each cupcake. Spoon as much curd as you can into the center of each cupcake. Top each cupcake with a spoonful of frosting.