Lucky Fortune Cupcakes
February 11, 2026
Rich chocolate cupcakes topped with honey-orange frosting, fortune cookies, and a touch of gold!
Lucky Fortune Cupcakes are the perfect flavor combo for Lunar New Year. You’ve got rich chocolate cupcakes, smooth honey-orange frosting, bright red fortune cookies on top, and a shiny piece of gold leaf. It’s a simple but fun nod to the new year, pulling in traditional flavors and decorations.
Flavor Profile
These cupcakes start with a deep, chocolatey base that’s soft and moist with a bakery-style crumb. The frosting is lightly citrusy from the orange extract, balanced by honey so it stays smooth and not overly sweet. The fortune cookie adds a crisp bite that contrasts perfectly with the creamy frosting and rich cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich chocolate flavor that tastes homemade, not boxed.
- Light, smooth frosting with a hint of citrus and honey.
- Festive and eye-catching without complicated decorating.
- Perfect for parties, holidays, or themed dessert spreads.
- Easy to prep ahead and assemble when you’re ready to serve.
The Twist
Instead of traditional sprinkles or toppings, these cupcakes are finished with red fortune cookies and a touch of edible gold. Those details turns a classic chocolate cupcake into something symbolic, celebratory, and extra fun without changing the base recipe.
Ingredient Highlights
- Honey: Adds gentle sweetness and balances the citrus in the frosting.
- Orange extract: Brings a bright, clean flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
- Sour cream: Keeps the cupcakes moist and bakery-soft.
- Cornstarch: Helps create a lighter, more tender crumb.
- Fortune cookies: Full size work best so they sit neatly on top.
Lucky Fortune Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box Duncan Hines Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Fortune cookies, for topping. Or red ones
- Edible gold leaf, for finishing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth. Add the cake mix and cornstarch, then mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes, just until the batter comes together. Do not overmix.
- Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds full and tap the pan gently on the counter to release air bubbles. Bake until the centers are set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
- While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting. Beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing well between additions. Mix in the orange extract, vanilla, and honey, then add the cream a little at a time until the frosting is light, fluffy, and pipeable.
- Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes. Top each cupcake with a fortune cookie and finish with a small piece of edible gold leaf.
FAQ
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Bake the cupcakes a day ahead and store them unfrosted. Frost and decorate the day you plan to serve them.
Can I skip the orange flavor?
You can, but it’s subtle and really helps balance the chocolate. If skipping, increase the vanilla slightly.
What kind of gold should I use?
Make sure it’s labeled edible gold leaf. A little goes a long way.
Do these need to be refrigerated?
They’re fine at room temperature for several hours. For longer storage, refrigerate and bring to room temp before serving.
Can I use a different cake mix?
Any devil’s food or dark chocolate cake mix works well with this method.
Sprinkle of Fun
Make these for a Lunar New Year party and serve them on a red platter with extra fortune cookies on the side so everyone can grab one and read their fortune after dessert.
Suggested Recipes
If you like Lucky Fortune Cupcakes, then you’ll love the recipes below.
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