Orange Dreamsicle Cupcakes: Inspired by “Because I Said So” {Food ‘n Flix}
You know those movies that make you feel good inside? You laugh, you definitely cry (a good cry), you want to be a part of the portrayed family. That is the epitome of “Because I Said So“. Total chick flick, totally predictable, got a 5% on Rotten Tomatoes and will never be critically acclaimed, but in my opinion, those are the best ones.
Especially when you are feeling low and you need a pick-me-up.
Especially for a girl’s night.
This month, Food ‘n Flix is being hosted by Heather @ Girlichef and she made a wonderful foodies for chick flicks choice. We are to whip up something inspired by the movie so I popped up some popcorn and got my thinking cap on.
The movie is centered around a family full of women (mom and 3 daughters) and the youngest (played by Mandy Moore) has yet to be married – let alone have a serious and successful relationship. It starts with a wedding cake, ends with a wedding cake and there are plenty of other cakes in between.
One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Milly (Mandy Moore) meets Johnny, one of the two men she has to decide between. The ice cream truck goes by and he offers to get her some.
“What flavor?” (He says)
“Why don’t you get me your favorite.”
“Why don’t I get you your favorite.”
“…the Dreamsicle-y one, that has the green wrapper with the Japanese writing on it.”
Here is the aforementioned scene (If you cannot view video below, click here):
Watch the scene; totally cute.
I don’t remember the wrapper that she speaks of, but there is only one Dreamsicle ice cream that comes to mind. So, that brings me to my inspiration. Their whole meeting was just so cute that I couldn’t get past it. I wanted to make something with that classic orange dreamsicle flavor. Since there is a cake theme throughout, I’ll make something in cake form!
Mis en Place
Nostalgia at its finest. I mean it doesn’t get any better than this when you want that reminiscent orangesicle flavor. A distinct sweet vanilla ice cream flavor paired with orange sherbet. Childhood, here we are.
Kitchen Notes:
- You can fill these cupcakes after baking (I would not recommend filling before baking, the filler is much too delicate) simply by scooping out some of the cupcake center. Also, I suggest doing so with a normal sized cupcake.
- The original recipe called for orange cake mix, but I used yellow and added orange extract to the cake batter.
- In my original mis en place, I was going to fill the cakes with the cool whip mix and use an orange cream frosting for the topping. I opted to forgo the frosting because it tasted artificial and that’s not what I was going for.
- This recipe makes a lot of mini cupcakes – about 70-80.
Adapted from Duncan Hines
Ingredients
- 1 box Classic Yellow cake mix
- 2 small pkg. orange Jell-O
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. orange extract
- 1 (8 oz.) sour cream
- 1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. orange extract
Directions
- Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Mix cake mix, Jell-O, oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Spray mini cupcake liners with cooking spray and line 2 mini cupcake pans.
- Fill cupcake liners (halfway only) with cake mix and bake 12 - 13 minutes, until knife comes out clean.
- Cool competely on wire racks.
- Mix sugar and orange juice until sugar dissolves. Add orange extract.
- Mix in sour cream, fold in Cool Whip. Should be a thick mixture.
- Put topping into a piping bag (or Ziploc bag with tip cut off) and pipe onto the tops of the cooled cupcakes.
- Store up to a few days in an airtight container.
Notes
You can fill these cupcakes after baking (I would not recommend filling before baking, the filler is much too delicate) simply by scooping out some of the cupcake center. Also, I suggest doing so with a normal sized cupcake.
The original recipe called for orange cake mix, but I used yellow and added orange extract to the cake batter.
This recipe makes a lot of mini cupcakes - about 70-80.
Oh my gosh, this is an AWESOME post, Miranda! That is one of my two favorite scenes of the movie…and these fun cupcakes are totally inspired. And yes, I love this foodie chick flick for exactly what it is. I really want to pop one of these babies into my mouth. While watching Because I Said So again…
Yes, I just love that scene (and of course the end!). These are so tasty, and that topping taste exactly like the center of the pop!
Love your inspiration and the recipe that came out of it! I’m a big fan of orange creamsicle/dreamsicle anything!
I know – aren’t creamsicle flavors fabulous!!
Yes that classic creamsicle flavor rocks! I couldn’t resist.
What a great idea and inspiration from the film. These look delish!
Thank you so much Debra!
…and now I’m totally hungry.
I have a weakness for orange flavored cupcakes because I used to love the Hostess ones when I was a kid. I don’t think they make those anymore! But these look like an even better replacement!
No, I don’t think they make those anymore! If I am correct, I think the company went bankrupt last year – so no more twinkies and hostess cupcakes :-O. But yes, these are a more grown up alternative!