In the kitchen: chocolate cupcakes with lemon frosting

I know what you must be thinking: "chocolate and lemon? This girl must be just a bit mad." That I may be, but honestly, I'll say the odd combo works! I felt like the two flavors balanced each other out. Funny thing was, I originally intended on a chocolate cupcake with coconut frosting, but didn't have all the ingredients on hand. Next time, that will be a must though. Chocolate and coconut is to die for! Just one of my numerous weaknesses. 

Any who, these are vegan cupcakes. Mind you, I'm not vegan by any means, but I do prefer vegan alternatives at times, especially when it comes to these darlings!

 

I tend to buy all my ingredients from Trader Joe's. Though I know cupcakes and frosting aren't exactly health food, I am definitely partial to all things organic. And honestly, have you ever seen a canister of cocoa powder so cute??

Chocolate Vegan Cupcakes:

Ingredients

CUPCAKE

• 2 1/4 cups organic all-purpose flour
• 2 cups organic cane sugar
• 1 cup organic unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon organic vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup organic canola oil
• 2 teaspoons organic white vinegar
• 2 cups cold water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line two cupcake pans with paper liners and set aside.  

In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.  Set that aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, water, vanilla extract and vinegar.  

Slowly whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix.  The mixture will be quite wet, but this is how it should be, so don't worry!

LEMON FROSTING

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine 
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

With an electric mixer at low speed, mix the powdered sugar and butter together. 


Once combined, add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Increase speed of mixer to medium and beat for 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth and of spreading consistency.
It honestly doesn't work out well if you don't beat for the lengthy amount of time. I tried, believe me.

And on the top I sprinkled a bit of lemon zest as well, more for the sake of decoration than anything. 

It nearing the end of Thursday, I can officially be happy that the weekend is almost here. Before any celebration though, I have a paper to finish that's due tomorrow. Terribly exciting. 

I've also got myself an interview at American Apparel tomorrow! Hopefully it goes over well. Wish me luck & any tips would be lovely. ♥