Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Fudgey Frosting

If all vegan food tasted like this (and I wasn't in love with meat), I would go vegan. Seriously. These cupcakes are amazing. And I must say I'm pretty proud of the frosting - I mixed it up myself. Talk about becoming a great baker!

I would only make these for very special occasions. Why? Vanilla beans are EXPENSIVE. So what prompted me to make these? It's my friend Chris' birthday, and I've promised him cupcakes for a few months now, so it was time I gave him some really good cupcakes. I'm glad I made these, because they are TO DIE FOR. And best of all, they're vegan!

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened almond or soy milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 TBS corn starch
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped

Fudgey Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup margarine (1 stick)
a couple squeezes of agave
a couple TBS soy milk
1/3 cup cocoa powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pan with liners.
2. Whisk soy/almond milk with vinegar and set aside for a couple of minutes so that it can curdle.
3. Sift flour, corn starch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
4. Beat together milk mixture, oil, sugar, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean in a bowl. Sift in (yes, sift twice) dry ingredients. Mix until there are no large lumps.
5. Fill cupcake lines 2/3 full. *Note: Batter is very liquidy! So don't overfill the liners!*
6. Bake for 20-22 minutes.

While the cupcakes are baking....

1. Beat together 1 stick of margarine with the powdered sugar.
2. Add some agave and milk to thin out the margarine mixture.
   
3. Add the cocoa powder and beat together.
4. If the frosting is too thick, add more liquid.
   
5. TASTE! If it's too bitter, add more agave.
   
6. Adjust agave and milk until you have your desired sweetness and consistency.

I don't have a picture, but trust me when I tell you these are AWESOME. Go make some. Now. I'm totally serious.