COCONUT CUPCAKES

Mmmm.... Oh man these cupcakes were so simple to make yet incredibly moist and bursting with flavor. The recipe came from "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World"- my absolute favorite sweet treat baking book. The author is Isa Chandra Moskowitz, a Portland based vegan chef and author. Oh if only I could meet her! You know how they say we are just 6 degrees away from knowing practically everyone? Well funny because I am only one degree away from knowing her. I know the woman who owns Herbivore Clothing in Portland and she is good friends with Isa. Hmmm maybe I could work some Sunny magic to meet Isa :)

I made these cupcakes today while Damien was at work. When he came home I left specific instructions to not eat any of the cupcakes while I was at the store to purchase items needed to make enchilades for dinner. Hmph...when I arrived home mysteriously one was gone. He said it was our sweet peacefully sleeping Sula who ate it but I know better :)

Well, the recipe was super easy. I will share here. If you love coconut and cupcakes I definitely recommend making these! For the frosting I took a chance and made my own from scratch without a recipe and I have to say it was the best frosting I have made.

Cupcake Recipe:
1/3 cup coconut oil

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup rice milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp coconut extract

1 tsp lemon extract

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup coconut flakes- unsweetened

Preheat oven to 35o. Melt the coconut oil and mix with sugar. Add coconut milk, rice milk, and extracts and mix well. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix until smooth. Mix in coconut flakes and pour batter into baking cups. Bake for 23 minutes.

To make frosting use 2 TBS room temp vegan butter and mix until the color turns to a pale yellow. Add 2 cups powder sugar and splash with coconut milk (enough to get the consistency desired). Blend until very smooth. Mix in coconut flakes and add to the top of cupcakes.

Eat and be happy :)