Lucky St. Pat’s Cupcakes

Today commemorates Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. In the U.S. that means we break out anything green. For a baker that means food coloring will play a role in what we create. I have shared very few vanilla cupcakes and wished to produce one, but I didn’t want a green cake. So, green frosting was a must.

The recipe I found in my cookbook collection was vegan. I added chocolate chips because hubby needs his chocolate fix. Another change was to remove the cornstarch due to allergies. The cornstarch was used in the recipe to help create a light texture, but I did fine with adding a bit more baking soda. For high altitude I added flour and water and reduced the baking powder. Now you can raise a cupcake and toast a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Lucky St. Pat’s Cupcakes adapted from Golden Vanilla Cupcakes in Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

For the cupcakes:
1 cup + 1 TBS vanilla non-dairy milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 + 1 TBS cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
generous 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup organic sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
For the frosting:
1/2 cup non-hydrogenated shortening
1/2 cup vegan margarine
3 cups organic powdered sugar, sifted if clumpy
1/4 – 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
3 TBS non-dairy milk
vegan food coloring (see Note below)

Preheat oven to 350F and line a 12-cupcake pan with paper liners. Whisk the milk and vinegar in a cup and set aside a few minutes to curdle. Whisk together the milk mixture, oil, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until no large lumps remain. Blend in the chocolate chips. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds of the way and bake for 22 to 24 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely while you make the frosting.

Color Garden green food color

For the frosting, beat shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, and beat for 3 more minutes. Add the peppermint extract, milk, and food coloring, and beat for another 5 minutes until fluffy. Frost the cooled cupcakes, adding chocolate coins for decoration and a bit o’ luck.

Note: I used Color Garden natural food coloring. Per their instructions, I used half a packet. Please check the instructions of the brand that you use.

Until next time, happy baking!