vegan chocolate cupcakes! (Happy February!)

 
I have been craving chocolate like crazy this week!   Chocolate cravings are rare for me, I tend to be the person who craves salty and savory foods when a craving hits, however this week nothing really beat the sound of a fluffy, chocolatey cupcake!  yummy! 

I decided to make a vegan recipe that I have had for a while.  Now don't be fooled by the label "vegan," just because eggs and dairy are missing from this recipe, does not mean it is any less scrumptious.  In fact, they are easier to make if you forgot to buy eggs or even butter...I have made these cupcakes in the past using olive oil as the primary fat, because I was out of earth balance spread, and man they still tasted delicious!  I hope you give this recipe a try it really is easy and satisfying to all your chocolate cravings.
                                                                                                                                                           

 

 Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

(dry ingredients)

1 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 c. plus 2 tbsp. baking cocoa

3/4 c. raw sugar (or any sugar you have)

(wet ingredients)

1 cup soymilk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1/3 cup melted earth balance spread (or Olive Oil, butter, etc)

Set the oven for 350F.  In your dry ingredients bowl mix together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.  Set the dry ingredients bowl aside. 

In the second bowl combine the soy milk, vanilla, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and melted earth balance.  Stir this mixture a bit until the sugar begins to dissolve.  Then combine the liquid ingredients into the dry one.  Mix well, until all the lumps have gone and the mixture looks shiny.  

Pour your ingredients into prepared cupcake tins.  I managed to make a dozen good sized cupcakes, if you want more than that I suggest doubling the recipe.   

Bake the cupcakes for about 20 minutes.  Check on them a few minutes before that, you want to be able to stick a toothpick into their centers and have it come out clean. 

I used this delightfully simple icing recipe for the frosting:

Frosting

1/2 c. earth balance

4 tbsp. cocoa

5 tbsp. soy milk

1 tsp. vanillla

4 c. powdered sugar

Melt butter in saucepan over heat, when it is melted incorporate the cocoa, vanilla, and powdered sugar...Adding milk as needed until it is the consistency you want.   

 

- Night Owl Gal