Vanilla Cupcakes

These are like vanilla custard in cupcake form, seriously. I don't even like vanilla cupcakes because they usually just taste like I'm eating pure sugar in cake form, but these were amazing and like nothing I have ever tasted before in a cupcake. This recipe is so simple but amazing. I made them for my best friend's 26th birthday but I plan on making them again this weekend when the hubby comes home, so I'm including a scaled down version at the end that makes just 3 cupcakes instead of 12!

Vanilla Cupcakes - makes 12

2/3 c soy milk

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

2/3 c agave nectar*

1/3 c safflower oil*

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 c all purpose flour

1/3 c whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

pinch of sea salt

*Agave nectar can be substituted with regular sugar. Safflower oil can be replaced with any neutral tasting oil, such as vegetable or canola.

• Preheat oven to 325. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• Combine the milk and vinegar in a medium bowl, and set aside for at least 5 minutes or until it bubbles a little. If it doesn't bubble, then keep stirring the mixture until it does. Add agave nectar, oil, and vanilla and stir.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing until no lumps remain. I used a hand held mixer to ensure it was thoroughly combined.
• Pour batter into the prepared muffin tin so that the liners are filled about 3/4 of the way with batter. This will make exactly 12 cupcakes.
• Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one cupcake comes out clean and the tops are slightly springy when pressed.
• Cool cupcakes in the pan for 10-15 mins, then cool completely on a baking rack before frosting.

For the frosting I used Cherrybrook Farms Chocolate Frosting Mix because I've had it sitting unopened in the cabinet for a while. I used half of the mixture with one stick of margarine blended together. You can use any frosting you want or search for a recipe online, there are tons available.

Enjoy with besties!!! (thanks for the pic Renee!)

Scaled down recipe - makes 3 cupcakes

Since this is scaled down, there will be some weird Tbsp and tsp combinations because it is an EXACT measurement scaling. If you want to approximate (keeping in mind that 3 tsp = 1 tablespoon) then go for it!

2 Tbsp + 2 tsp soy milk

1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar

2.5 - 3 Tbsp agave nectar (depending on how sweet you want it)

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp safflower oil

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c. all purpose flour

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp whole wheat pastry flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp baking soda

pinch of sea salt