Orange Angel Food Cupcakes With Chocolate Orange Buttercream

The Cupcakes

• 1 1/4 cup egg whites at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup cake flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Set 12 jumbo foil muffin cups on a rimmed baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the cake flour with the confectioners' sugar. In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the egg whites with the salt, orange zest and cream of tartar and beat with whisk attachment until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the whites are firm and glossy. Sift the flour mixture over the egg whites in 2 additions, folding gently until incorporated.
2. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups filling to the top. Bake for 15 minutes, checking the cupcakes starting at 13 minutes (ovens vary) shifting the pan from front to back, until the cupcakes are springy and golden. Transfer the cupcakes to a rack to cool

Chocolate Orange Buttercream

• 6 ounces Bittersweet (70%) chocolate broken into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 4 egg whites from large eggs
• 1/2 cup +2 tbs granulated sugar
• 8 ounces unsalted butter cut into pieces at room temperature butter should be soft
• orange marmalade to spread on top of cupcake

1. Place chopped chocolate and orange zest in microwave and melt chocolate for 30 seconds, stir and microwave another 30 seconds, stir and if necessary microwave another 30 seconds until its melted.
2. Combine sugar and egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water; whisk until the mixture feels hot to touch and the sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Transfer the bowl to the mixer stand. Using the whisk attachment, beat the mixture on medium-high until cooled, about 15 minutes.
3. With mixer running add the butter a piece at a time beating constantly, now add the cooled chocolate beat to incorporate. Use immediately.
4. Spread a thin layer of marmalade on top of cupcake, pipe some of the buttercream in the middle. Enjoy!