cupcakes

by popular (one) request, here is the vegan chocolate cupcake recipe. don't be fooled by the vegan part – these things taste guuuuuuud. all hail isa chandra and her awesome vegan cupcakes take over the world cookbook!

your basic chocolate cupcake

makes 12 cupcakes

ingredients

• 1 cup soy milk
  
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1/3 cup canola oil
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, chocolate extract, or more vanilla extract (i use vanilla)
  
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder, dutch-processed or regular
  
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  

directions

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
   
2. whisk together the soy milk and vinegar in a large bowl and set aside for a few minutes to curdle.
   
3. in a separate bowl, sift (really – get a sifter; it makes a difference) together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
   
4. add the sugar, oil and vanilla extract, and other extract if using, to the soy milk mixture and beat until foamy.
   
5. add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches and beat until no large lumps remain (a few tiny ones are ok).
   
6. pour into liners, filling three-quarters of the way. 
7. bake 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
   
8. transfer to cooling rack and let cool completely before...

frosting

ingredients (note:  this is half the recipe; i find it's plenty for a dozen cupcakes)

• 1/4 cup shortening
  
• 1/4 cup margarine 
  
• 1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 1/8 cup plain soy milk or soy creamer

directions

1. beat the shortening and margarine until well combined and fluffy.
   
2. add the sugar and beat about 3 more minutes.
   
3. add the vanilla and soy milk, and beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy. if you want to color the frosting, add food coloring near the end of beating.