Using a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds.
Add sugar and vanilla extract to the butter and beat until combined.
Add egg whites, and then eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beating on low speed until everything is mixed together.
Divide the batter into 2 bowls. The first bowl remains white while the batter in the second bowl you will add several drops of orange gel food coloring. Add ½ teaspoon of orange extract. Stir until the orange coloring is well blended throughout the entire bowl of batter.
Place cupcake batter dividers into each of the cupcake liners.
Pour the white/ vanilla batter in on one side with the divider in the middle. Next pour the orange batter into the other side of the cupcake liner. Remove the cupcake divider.
Continue repeating the above step until all of the cupcake tins are filled up to ⅔rds with cake batter.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Allow cupcakes to cool in the cupcake pan for 10 minutes then remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
Frosting Directions:
Cream the butter and powder sugar until it looks light and creamy.
If it doesn’t cream add the heavy whipping cream.
Test to see if the frosting can form and hold a stiff peak by taking a large spoonful and turning the spoon upside down. If the frosting doesn’t fall it is ready. If the frosting does fall off the spoon then….
Add more powder sugar ½ C at a time.
Test to make sure that the frosting can make and hold a stiff peak.
When frosting is ready, add the orange extract and several drops of orange gel food coloring.( Color should be a pastel orange color) Stir well to blend both the extract and the food coloring throughout the frosting.
Scoop the frosting into a pastry bag with a large frosting tip and frost your cupcakes.