Chocolate Cupcakes

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-well muffin pan with paper cups or lightly oil.

Measure milk in a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Whisk in oil, vinegar, and vanilla using a fork. Set aside.

Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, espresso powder (if using), baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

Add milk mixture and beat using a wooden spoon until the batter is smooth. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan, filling the wells almost to the top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Grasp a cupcake by the bottom, turn upside down, dip into the icing, and twist to coat the top. Place on a plate and repeat for remaining cupcakes.

To Store

Cupcakes keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Makes 1 Dozen Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup unflavored, unsweetened almond milk or other nondairy milk

• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend

• 1 cup coconut sugar

• ¼ cup cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon sea salt

• ¾ cup vegan chocolate icing

Garnish (optional)

• content

From “The Reducetarian Cookbook: 125 Easy, Healthy, and Delicious Plant-Based Recipes for Omnivores, Vegans, and Everyone In-Between” by Reducetarian Foundation (Center Street, $21.99). Recipe developed by Pat Crocker. Photo by Ashleigh Amoroso.