ORANGE CREAM DREAM CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare baking pans with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, whisk first 3 ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the next 3 ingredients; set aside. In separate bowl, using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter until smooth. Slowly add sugar, beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Add extract and 2 to 4 drops food coloring, mixing well. Add flour mixture alternating with buttermilk mixture. Mix until well combined. Pour into baking cups to 3/4 full. Bake approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven, and allow to cool completely on wire rack before assembling.
• Orange Buttercream Frosting
• Blend butter until smooth; slowly add confectioners' sugar until combined. Add vanilla and water; mix at low speed 1 minute, then at high speed for 5 minutes. Set aside 1 cup frosting. Add extract and food coloring to remaining frosting, mixing well.
• Vanilla Buttercream Filling
• In a medium bowl, fold in non-dairy whipped topping, 1/2 cup at a time, into the 1 cup of reserved frosting. Whisk until smooth.
• To assemble cupcakes:Fill a pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip with Vanilla Buttercream Filling. Insert the tip halfway into the center of the baked cupcake; press until the top of cupcake begins to rise slightly. After filling cupcakes, frost as desired.
• Makes about 30 cupcakes.