A few weeks ago I went to the launch of a new book called â€œSweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life” by Jessie Oleson.  Jessie writes for the very popular site called Cakespy, a dessert detective agency.   I bought the book and spent a week perusing the fun photos and awe inspiring desserts but also thinking “that just looks crazy, I couldn’t possibly make it.”   There was one dessert however that I thought, “not only does that look good, I bet it tastes amazing.”  It was a recipe for cakes grilled in orange casings.  Who doesn’t love chocolate and orange?

Although, I didn’t follow the recipe, it gave me a wonderful idea to try something out.  I decided to make my go to Chocolate Chip Cupcakes, which I adapted from a recipe I found on one of my favorite sites, My Baking Addiction.  I thought I would make 4 of them in the orange shells for my friends who were staying with me for a few days and the rest as normal cupcakes – just in case they didn’t turn out as planned.  This was going to be interesting.

Chocolate Chip Cupcake
Makes 12 Cupcakes

Ingredients

4 medium oranges with thick skins – just big enough to fit into a cupcake tin
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Dessert was served to my dinner party of 4.  We all looked at each other, forks in hand and hesitantly dug into the oranges.  A sly look, a little smile and then a collective “oh my goodness, these are so good!”  They were amazing!  Rich moist chocolate cake with a hint of tangy orange and sweet, creamy sugar frosting.  Definitely going into my make again collection and I am making all 12!