Valentine's Day Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

two love birds from this photography project 

Hello!

Here's a tasty cupcake for YOU...yes YOU!

The cupcakes rise nicely and are just sweet enough...so they can handle a decent amount of frosting.

Ohhhh the frosting!!! Just amazing and only three ingredients!! (and it's vegan(!!!) although the cuppycakes are not)

 

 

These cupcakes are perfect for the sweetie in your life this Valentine's Day such as the recently available JOHNNY DEPP ;) 

but it's better to be single and have them ALL to yourself :) which wouldn't be hard to do!
However, don't get me wrong these cupcakes are not just for Valentine's Day. No siree!!

Spring, summer, fall or winter these babies will hit the spot for a deliciously decadent dessert! (they aren't thaaaat unhealthy, though)

So, enjoy!!

And for your listening pleasure, here's a somewhat seasonally appropriate song.

Vanilla Cupcakes
adapted from we choose organic.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees / 180 G Celsius and prepare your cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

2. Pour together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside.

3. Add 1/2 teaspoon vinegar to the milk and set aside for about 3-5 minutes.

4. In another bowl, add the 2 eggs and mix with handmixer. Now pour in the sugar and continue to mix for a minute.

5. Now add vanilla extract and vegetable oil and mix.

6. On low speed, add half of flour mixture, beat, then add half of milk mixture. Repeat until everything is combined and well mixed. Scrape down sides of the bowl too.

7. Now pour the rather thin batter into your cupcake pan and fill up the cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake in your preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, use a toothpick, stick in the center of the cupcake, if it comes out clean, the cupcakes are done.

8. Let cupcakes cool for a couple of minutes before you remove them from the pan. Let cool completely on a plate or wire rack.

9. When completely cooled, you can start frosting them.

Frosting
adapted from the nourishing gourmet

1 cup of cocoa powder
3/4 cup of virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup of honey or agave
dash or two of sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

1. Gently melt the coconut oil in a saucepan (you don’t want to heat it, just melt it)
2. In a food processor, combine all of the ingredients and pulse until well combined.
3. Scrape into a small bowl and place in the freezer or refrigerator until it has hardened to desired consistency. Approximately 15 minutes in the freezer.
4. You can use a hand mixer to fluff the frosting up or if too stiff.