My good friend and trainer, Kathy, was pleasantly surprised when she heard she was going to have boy number three! Noah’s Ark was the theme of Kathy’s baby shower and like most beautiful pregnant women, Kathy could not decide on the flavor of her cupcakes, so I helped her make the decision. I made these delicious Buttermilk Citrus Cupcakes and Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes.

Instead of bringing my fancy three tier silver tray, I found this adorable cupcake stand at good old AC Moore! Don’t you just love that store?

Makes approximately 24 cupcakes

2 1/2 cups King Arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 cup canola oil
1 3/4 cups of granulated sugar
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups low fat buttermilk
Zest of one orange

Place cup cake liners in pans. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

In a mixer, cream together the sugar, vanilla and almond extracts and orange zest. Add eggs, one at a time and beat after each addition.

Add flour and buttermilk, alternately mixing after each addition. Pour cake batter into cupcake liners and bake in a 350 F oven for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Frost with my friend Yvette’s Special Whipped Frosting Recipe.