Janetta and I hadn't done a baking session in a while, so we decided to meet up yesterday for our first one of the year. After the lemon square flop, we were both wary of what to bake this time around (the intense amount of vegan margarine we used last time left such a nasty aftertaste to the point where we couldn't even enjoy our final product). We tend to make vegan versions of things so both our vegan and non-vegan friends can enjoy our treats, but we are also well-aware of how vegan replacements of things (e.g. eggs, butter, milk) can completely alter the taste of a dessert. So we decided to bake vegan red velvet cupcakes with a recipe that Janetta had successfully tried before, and with both homemade cream cheese frosting and vegan-friendly store-bought buttercream frosting.
Dry ingredients: Flour, salt, and baking soda
In the mixer: Sugar, (vegan) butter, and eggs (or egg substitute)
In another bowl, add cocoa powder, vinegar, and a lot of (vegan) red food colouring
Add dry ingredients, milk (or soy milk), and red cocoa paste into mixer
Blend until smooth and creamy, you know, like velvet
Line pan with cups (my choice: giraffes with party hats, Janetta's choice: scary acrobats)
Scoop batter into cups (we used an ice cream scoop for equal-sized cupcakes)
Put in oven at 350ºF for 30 minutes
In clean mixing bowl, add cream cheese and (vegan) butter
Add icing sugar and vanilla extract
Blend until frosting is smooth and creamy
Remove cupcakes from oven and let cool for 15 - 20 minutes
Frosting time!
Janetta is much more skilled at this than I am
Add toppings for decoration (we used cake crumbs and red crystal sprinkles)
Time to devour!
These turned out beautifully: the cake was soft and moist with just enough chocolate flavour, and the frosting was rich, smooth, and not too sweet so the cream cheese stood out. I also have to note that not a single person could tell they were vegan (well, minus the cream cheese frosting). I gave one to Jack last night, and he devoured one in about 15 seconds, no words necessary. I brought one to my co-worker today, and she just sent me a text saying, "Delicious! My kids had to fight me for it!" I delivered a small batch with buttercream frosting to my vegan friend for her 30th birthday, who had never had red velvet cupcakes before, and she literally swooned and said, "God, I can't believe I've been missing out on this my entire life." My mom tried one this afternoon and thought it was so good, she "just had to bring a another one to work" and then a third one for her "co-worker," if only to save me from "eating too many calories and becoming fat." (Ahem.) In conclusion, I'd say these are a big hit with vegans and non-vegans alike! And, hey, they're even mom-approved. Many thanks to Janetta for making our baking session a success!
Whoo hoo! I love baking things and having other people eat them, lol.
ReplyDeleteBetcha your mum took 2 to work and ate them both...hehe. I should have saved one for my brother.. he asked about them twice and well, I didn't have enough to share! :P
I have a feeling I might have to make another batch. My hips will not be happy but my taste buds will be!
Haha, yeah, she totally did. Ridiculous. She swiped them before I could even give any out. So Anj ended up getting three instead of four. :P
DeleteAw, man, that sucks... I thought we made enough for everyone! How many did you end up with? I think there are only three left in my fridge, two of which are for co-workers and one left for me...
Haha, you should, they're great! Did Rich have any yet?
Rich will get his later tonight :)
DeleteWell, most of his.. haha ha aha ahahhahaa
LOL. My co-worker Veronica was just raving about them today. She was all, "It was SO GOOD. The cake was so soft and moist and the FROSTING, holy crap, you guys need to sell these or something, they taste like they were fresh from the bakery." So, Janetta, business idea for you.
DeleteI would totally buy cupcakes from Janetta!!
DeleteHaha, me, too. And I would sincerely hope for a family discount. :P
DeleteRichard inhaled his cupcake in a blink. Like, I turned my head for a second wanting to ask for a bite and...GONE.
DeleteYay, glad Veronica liked them! If anyone ever wants a custom order, I'm always up for it. ;)
Denise, cupcakes (etc) for cosmetics always and forever. lol
I will let people know if they need cupcakes/cakes/baked goods for an event or a party or something! :)
DeleteWe should actually make good on our once-a-month baking session.
LOL, I'll keep that in mind. God, I'd get so fat. :P
OMG those look so good!
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed at how good some vegan desserts taste.
So jelly of your baking sessions lol
Thanks! They taste as good as they look. :D
DeleteThere's a bakery in NYC called Babycakes that only makes vegan goodies, and you cannot tell the difference, I swear. A lot of manufacturers are getting better at making vegan-friendly versions of foods. Like typically, you can taste the difference using real butter and vegan butter, but you really can't in these. :)
Haha, our baking sessions are great! We really should have them more often... It's the only time I get to feel remotely domestic. And even then, Janetta does most of the work, lol!
I think I passed by that place! Too bad all I could think about was Magnolia Bakery which doesn't even make good cupcakes. I remember Starbucks having this vegan or vegetarian fudge brownie and it WAS THE SHI!T!! I was so sad when they stopped making it.
DeleteWell, you reap the benefits afterwards, so it's all good. LOL
For some reason, it never occurs to me to order any food from Starbucks. I only go there for a caffeine fix. I really should try some of their baked goods...
DeleteMagnolia Bakery is just really overhyped. Their cupcakes aren't that great. I prefer their other items, like banana pudding or ice box cake. :) Buttercup Bake Shop and Sugar Sweet Sunshine makes really good cupcakes in NYC!
Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a huge sweets person in general, so when I want something sweet, I usually have like, one thing and then I'm good for the day. Like, with the cupcakes we made, Janetta and I shared one after we finished frosting them... and then I had one at home today. But I don't feel the need to eat more than that. :P
Holy smokes. I love your baking sessions. They look so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks! These were amaaaaazing. I actually think this one was our best one yet!
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