Project Simplify Week #3 and Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting...

 

Oh, how I do love Project Simplify...

I'm kickin' clutter in the derriere... and cookin' and bakin' some yummy stuff to reward my hard work.

What?

I need some incentive, people!

Anyway... this weeks Hot Spot was our kids' toys and/or clothes. Luckily, I had already gone through both my girls' dressers before starting Project Simplify. My oldest daughter is nearly twelve, so she pretty much takes care of her bedroom and she's very organized.

As for my nearly seven year old... well, that's another story.

She has tons of toys... TONS... and I usually go through her toys before Christmas and her birthday. So, this project came just in the nick of time. The most unruly area of her room that needed to be tackled was her closet. She had board games, puzzles, train sets... and baby memorabilia. I won't lie, I got a little teary eyed as I went through her baby stuff. Then I remembered I no longer have midnight feedings and potty training to deal with. That usually snaps me right out of it...

Now, onto my before and after snap shots... cuz I know you're just dying with anticipation.

The right side of the closet.

The left side of the closet.

My reward for showing this weeks Hot Spot who's boss......

Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. A well deserved treat.

And they make your house smell amazing... really, they do. Don't believe me? Well, you'll just have to bake them to find out...

Orange Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream

Cake:

• 2 Cups of Flour
• 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Cup of Sugar
• 1/2 Cup of Unsalted Butter (1 stick), Softened
• 1 Tablespoon of Orange Zest, Roughly 1 Large Orange
• 3 Large Eggs, at Room Temperature
• 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup of Milk
• 1/2 Cup of Orange Juice

Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 Pound of Powdered Sugar, Sifted
• 1/2 Cup of Salted Butter (1 stick), Softened
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
• 4 Tablespoons of Half & Half

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F).

Line muffin tins with 18 cupcake liners. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Combine the milk and orange juice in a measuring cup and set aside. Cream the butter, sugar, and zest in a large bowl until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, combining well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. Next, add the milk/orange juice mixture and the flour mixture, alternately, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Evenly scoop the batter into the pre-lined muffin tins. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the cupcakes. Cool completely. Makes 18 cupcakes.

For the frosting, combine the sifted powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of the half & half in a large bowl. Mix until almost combined. Add the rest of the half & half and combine well. Frosts 18-24 cupcakes. If you feel the frosting is too sweet, just add a pinch of salt to balance out the sweetness.

Decorate with orange sprinkles and/or white pearl nonpareils after frosting your cupcakes.

Enjoy!



I'm linking this post up to Tidy Mom's I'm Lovin' It, Sweet Tooth Friday, and Simple Mom's Project Simplify Week #3: Kids Toys & Clothes Results.

Now I'm gonna go have myself a cupcake...