Sunday Baking

After a couple of long, stressful weeks, I knew it was time to get my caboose back into the kitchen.  About a month ago, I stumbled upon this nifty, vegan cupcake recipe and I have been dying to try it out.  It's for Chocolate-Avocado Cupcakes with an Avocado Buttercream frosting.  

I just popped the little guys into the oven, and I am about to start whisking up the frosting.  I bought myself an extra avocado to nibble while I'm working.  

Here's the recipe:

 

Ingredients for the cake:

3 cups flour
6 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cups vegetable oil
1/2 cup soft avocado, well mashed, about 1 medium avocado
2 Tbsp. white vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups water

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).  Prepare 24 cupcake cups in cupcake tins.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda set aside.

Whisk together the sugar, oil, mashed avocado, vinegar and vanilla, then add the water. Sift in the dry ingredients all at once, then whisk until smooth. 

Pour batter into prepared tins.  The actual recipe calls for them to bake for 30-40 minutes, but mine were ready around 25. 

Let cakes cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

Avocado Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:

8 oz (225g) fresh avocado, about 2 small to medium, very ripe avocados
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 lb (455g) powdered sugar, sifted (use more for a thicker frosting)
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Peel and pit the avocados. Place the avocado meat into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment along with the lemon juice and beat until lightened in color and very well mashed, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. 

Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl from time to time. Sift in the powdered sugar a little at a time and beat until smooth. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. 

If not using right away, store in the refrigerator.

I had some leftover Halloween cups that I thought I'd use since I didn't get a chance to bake these when I wanted to last weekend.  Since they're still warm, I decided to go ahead and frost the taste-tester.

Also, for Days 5 & 6 of my countdown, I want to say that I am thankful for the Dowell family and how they have always made me feel like part of their family.  They are some of the best people in my life and I am so glad I know them.

Enjoy!