Vegan Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

I realized I've never done a vegan cupcake, and I had all the ingredients, so I gave it a shot!  The frosting is what really makes this cupcake yummy, and will definitely satisfy any chocolate cravings you may have.

The recipe calls for sunflower oil, the one ingredient I did not have, so I substituted canola oil.  That was the only change I made!

Vegan Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
Adapted from Cupcake Heaven by Susannah Blake
Makes 12 cupcakes

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee, dissolved in 2 teaspoons boiling water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

For the frosting

• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee, dissolved in 2 tablespoons boiling water
• 1 cup powdered sugar

~Preheat oven to 350°F.  Prepare muffin tins with cupcake liners.

~In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and sugar.  Make a well in the center of your flour mixture and pour in 1/2 cup of water, the oil, coffee, and the vinegar.  Mix just until incorporated.

~Divide the batter evenly between the 12 cupcake, and bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (These will rise a lot, so don't worry!  Mine were only about half full when placed in the oven, and were done after 13 minutes.)

~Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack and cool completely.

~For the frosting, put the oil, cocoa powder, and coffee in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water.  (A double boiler would work of course.) Make sure the water is not touching the bowl.  Stir until mixed, and then add the powdered sugar in small batches while continuing to stir.  Continue stirring for roughly 2 minutes, or until thick and glossy.  Add about 1/2 teaspoon of water, and stir until incorporated.

~Once your cupcakes have cooled completely, and your frosting has cooled slightly, you can spoon the frosting over the cupcakes.  If either are too hot, the frosting may drip off of the sides, so try and be patient!  Either that or just eat them immediately, haha, enjoy!