by Tucker Lieberman

Created on: August 31, 2008

It's easy to "veganize" a cake recipe! In many cases, the eggs that cause the cake to rise can be replaced simply with baking soda and vinegar. Just be sure not to mix the baking soda and vinegar together until the last minute when the batter is ready to go into the oven.

The following basic recipe makes a richly flavored yellow or light-brown cake with the savory taste of coffee and brown sugar. The consistency is just like any traditional American "birthday cake". An optional peanut butter and chocolate frosting completes it!

Rich Coffee Cupcakes

Mix the dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix the wet ingredients:
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup prepared coffee beverage (coffee you could drink-not the ground beans!)
1/2 cup rice milk, soy milk, or water
1 tsp white vinegar

After the dry and wet ingredients have been mixed separately, combine the dry and the wet mixtures. Some fizzing or foaming is normal as the baking soda and vinegar react. Pour batter into cupcake tin, allowing a little vertical space for each cupcake to rise, and place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Makes about 9 cupcakes.

Peanut Butter Cup Frosting

This indulgent frosting has only two ingredients and can be made in the microwave in less than a minute! Does a peanut butter and chocolate frosting taste good together with coffee-flavored cake? You bet!

Break up 3 oz. of plain dark chocolate candy bar (one or two bars) and stir in a bowl with an equal volume of creamy peanut butter (about 1/4 cup). Microwave for 30-45 seconds. Stir until the color is consistent. Makes enough to frost at least 9 cupcakes.

Allow the frosting and the cupcakes to cool before applying the frosting to the cupcakes. Bon appetit!

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