Passion Tea Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream

These little creations made me smile today. I hope they will do the same for you!

Cupcakes
1/2 cup hot milk (or rice milk)
3 Tazo Passion tea bags
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Steep tea bags in hot milk for at least 10 minutes. Allow milk mixture to cool, then whisk in eggs and vanilla and set aside. If you would like your cupcakes to be more pink, add a few drops of red food coloring.

In a large bowl or mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix the butter and flour mixture well. Add half of the milk mixture and mix well. Add the remaining milk mixture and incorporate. Batter should have some small lumps; do not overmix. Fill cupcake liners 1/2-3/4 full. Bake for 18 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a crumb or two clinging to it. Transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting
6 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 heaping tablespoon orange zest
3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
2-4 tablespoons milk

Mix butter and sugar well. Add orange zest and juice and mix well. Drizzle in milk while mixing a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.