Valentine Treats

The no preservative stance makes eating normal store-bought "treats" somewhat difficult. If they are expensive gourmet ones, then they usually have good ingredients, but the practical (and baker) side of me would prefer to make my own treats! So, here is my favorite cake/cupcake recipe. These are vegan and they are FANTASTIC! It is a "dump" cake as well so it is super easy. The recipe is a tradition from Brian's family, so I can't take the credit :-)

Miller Family Chocolate Cupcakes

Yield- Approx. 18 cupcakes

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon ac vinegar

1/3 cup oil

1 cup cold water

Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Make three wells in your mixture. Pour vanilla, vinegar, and oil each into their own well. Pour water over entire mixture and stir until combined.

Bake at 350 for approx. 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes and then remove cupcakes to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once completely cool, frost with your favorite frosting.

Speaking of frosting- these are GREAT with a seven minute frosting. I will have to look up my recipe to post it later because to celebrate the special occasion I used pink homemade buttercream.

Rachel's Amazing Buttercream

Yield- Approx. 2.5 cups

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon vanilla

approx. 3.5 cups powdered sugar

1 - 2 tablespoon(s) milk

Cream butter and shortening before adding vanilla, and then sugar. Add milk as needed to achieve your desired consistency. This recipe isn't as sweet as some. It is plenty sweet, but allows the butter flavor to come through. It's awesome (although, I may be biased)!

I hope you all get to enjoy some sweets with someone you appreciate this Valentines Day.