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For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with 24 regular cupcake liners.
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2
Sift the flour, instant pistachio pudding, baking powder and cardamom into a bowl.
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3
Combine the buttermilk, sour cream and oil into another bowl and set aside.
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4
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter until the mixture is lighter in color and fluffy, about 7 minutes.
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5
Add the vanilla, almond and pistachio flavors.
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Add one egg at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
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7
Turn the mixer to the lower speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture, alternating between the two, beginning and ending with the flour.
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Lastly, fold in by hand, the salted chopped pistachios.
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Fill the prepared cupcake liners half full with batter and bake until golden and baked though, 25 minutes.
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10
Cool the cupcakes completely.
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For the date and honey filling: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the dates, honey, 1/4 cup water and cardamom together and cook until over medium-low heat until the mixtures becomes thicker, 10 to 15 minutes.
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Transfer the mixture to a dish and cool.
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13
For the orange cream cheese frosting: Whip the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment at medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
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14
Add the juice, orange extract, vanilla extract, salt and zest and beat until fully incorporated.
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Then lower the speed and add the powdered sugar incrementally and beat for 3 more minutes.
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Put the frosting into a pastry bag and cut 1/2 inch off the tip.
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To assemble: Using an apple corer, remove a piece of the cupcake from the center.
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Fill the cupcake with 1 teaspoon of the date and honey filling.
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Using a large round tip #809, pipe the orange cream cheese frosting and garnish with the toasted pistachios
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20
This recipe was created by a contestant during a cooking competition.
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The Food Network Kitchens have not tested it for home use, therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.
