Strawberry Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream Frosting - Vegan

I made these at the same time I made the Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes as I could not decide which cupcakes to make that night.

Strawberry Cupcakes - Makes 12

Ingredients

1 cup almond milk (or soy milk)

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 1/4 cup all purpose unbleached flour

2 tsp cornstarch

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup canola oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract, you can also use vanilla extract

1 cup strawberries

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with muffin liners.

2. Whisk together the milk and vinegar and set aside to curdle (this will take a few minutes).  Add the sugar, oil, vanilla and almond extracts and beat until foamy.

3. In a food processor or blender puree the strawberries.  If using a blender you may need to add some liquid, to do so add about 1/4 cup of the wet ingredients.

4. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Add to the wet ingredients and stir until no large lumps remain.

5. Add the pureed strawberries to the cupcake batter and stir.

7. Pour into liners, filling three-quarters of the way.  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.  Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.  If you don't have a cooling rack you can transfer them to a plate to cool. 

Lemon Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup non-hydrogenated shortening, I recommend Earth Balance

1/2 cup non-hydrogenated margarine, I recommend Earth Balance

4 cups confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp almond or soy milk

1 lemon - zest and juice

a few drops of yellow food colouring, if desired.

Directions

Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy.  Add the sugar and beat for about 3 minutes.  Add the vanilla, milk, lemon zest and lemon juice and beat for another 2 minutes.  You may need to add more sugar, about 1/2 cup, if the icing is not thick enough.

This will be much easier to make with a stand mixer but can also be done with a hand held mixer if you are patient.  If using food colouring add a few drops and stir, you may wish to use more or less depending on the desired colour.

I piped my icing to look like a flower, there are many videos on YouTube to help you do this if desired.