Vegan Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Back when I was living in Los Angeles, the Ipod took me home to Chicago for a long weekend to visit her parents & see the city.  It was an INCREDIBLE trip.  I got to sleep in a real bed, in a clean gorgeous house and her parents really spoiled us.  Her mom even took us out for mani/pedis- my first one ever!  I remember feeling soooo warm & cozy and after struggling in LA for a couple of years, having my parents far away, that trip was truly a gift.  I'll never forget it.  It was like being hugged for an entire weekend.  And hellooo, I was introduced to Garrett's Popcorn that trip!!!??  ENOUGH SAID.


When my boyfriend Sarah asked to come stay with me for the weekend while she auditioned for Steppenwolf Theater Company (YAY!!!), I wanted her to have exactly that same kind of weekend!


***************Secret insider MandiCrocker information:  Sarah & I worked together for years.  Neither of us had boyfriends at the time which bummed us out a bit and we really missed having a boyfriend/outlet to lavish our creativity & affections on.  So we decided one day to be each other's boyfriends and we'd bring goofy 'Have a great day, BF!' notes, flowers, chocolate, etc.  to work.  And for that reason, she will always be my 'boyfriend Sarah.'  WHO CARES IF IT'S WEIRD,  I got daffodils.  :)  *****************************


I wanted her to feel relaxed & rested, to feel spoiled and have treats! And since my BF is a vegan, I thought I'd try something new:  Vegan Root Beer Float Cupcakes.


I was very scared about the root beer aspect, though.  What happens if she doesn't like root beer?  I don't remember my BF ever even drinking the stuff... I was concerned that I opted for a less-traditional flavor but hey, they're cupcakes... how bad could they be?


WOULDN'T YOU KNOW ROOT BEER TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF HER ALL-TIME FAVORITE FLAVORS!!!???  :)  :)  :)

*hee hee hee, snort snort, swoon swoon*  

I was happy.  

So in the BF's honor, here's the recipe for some d*mn good cupcakes!  The Sweet Lovin' Man thought they were pretty out of this world.  AND VEGAN, PEOPLE!!!!  :)  :)  :)

VEGAN ROOT BEER FLOAT CUPCAKES

adapted from: My Sweet Vegan, by Hannah Kaminsky

INGREDIENTS:

Cake:

1 Cup Root Beer Soda

1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

¾ Cup Granulated Sugar

⅓ Cup Canola or Vegetable Oil

½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 Teaspoons Root Beer Extract

1⅓ Cups All-Purpose Flour

½ Teaspoon Baking Powder

¾ Teaspoon Baking Soda

Pinch of Salt

Chocolate Ganache:

5 Ounces Dark Chocolate, Chopped

¼ Cup Plain Soymilk

1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup

Vanilla Frosting:

1 Cup Earth Balance Vegan Butter

4 Cups Confectioner’s Sugar

2 Tablespoons Plain Soymilk

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Bean Paste (vanilla extract works too!)  

sprinkle of cinnamon (optional)

chunks of chocolate (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a large bowl, combine the baking soda and vinegar.  It has to stand for a few minutes so in the meantime...
• In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
• In the large bowl, add in the sugar and oil.  Whisk vigorously until slightly frothy.  Add your root beer soda and extracts.
• Gently add the flour mixture to the sugar oil mixture.  Mix until just combined.
• Fill up 12 muffin tins and bake for 18-22 minutes.  Keep them in the pan for 10 minutes and then let them cool on a wire rack completely before adding the ganache.

GANACHE:

• In a medium size saucepan, heat the soymilk until almost boiling.  
• Add the dark chocolate and immediately remove from heat.  Let the chocolate & soy milk sit for 2-3 minutes.
• Mix them them together until smooth.  Add the maple syrup.
• Allow to cool to room temperature or you can put the saucepan in the fridge for a bit.
• Frost cupcakes with ganache.

FROSTING:

• Beat the two sticks of vegan butter until light and fluffy.  
• Add soymilk and vanilla bean paste.
• Add the powdered sugar & beat well.  If the frosting is too runny, add more sugar.  If it is too dry, feel free to add a tablespoon or two more of soymilk.
• Frost, decorate & DEVOUR.

DELICIOUS!!!!

Dairy-free smooches,

MandiCrocker