LOVELY, YUMMY VEGAN LEMON CUPCAKES

By Anthea Cheng From Rainbow Nourishments (www.rainbownourishments.com)

Makes 12 I Prep 20 mins I Cook 20 mins Calories 604 (per cupcake) 

FOR THE DRY INGREDIENTS

• 380g (3 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour
• 250g (11/2 cups) cane sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• a pinch of good-quality salt

FOR THE WET INGREDIENTS

• 250m1(1 cup) plant-based milk, such as almond, soy or coconut
• 125m1 (1/2 cup) light-tasting vegetable oil, such as sunflower or rapeseed (canola)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 110g (% cup) fresh or frozen
• Blueberries or raspberries

 FOR THE FILLING

• 240m1(1 cup) tinned coconut cream, thick part only
• 50g (1/2 cup) sugar or sweetener, to taste
• 30g (1/2 cup) grated lemon zest and juice
• 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
• A pinch of turmeric

FOR THE FROSTING

• 280g (11/4 cups) vegan butter, at room temperature
• 300g (3 cups) icing (confectioner's) sugar
• 1 tbsp freeze-dried raspberry
• Powder or beetroot powder 
• Blue spirulina for colour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Line a cupcake tray with paper liners.
2.  For the cupcakes, add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix until combined or until there are no lumps. Add all the wet ingredients (except the berries) and mix until just combined. Fold through the berries and divide the batter between the cupcake liners.
3.  Bake the cupcakes in the oven for about 20 minutes or until a skewer can be inserted into a cupcake and it comes out clean. The baking time will depend on your oven and the size of the cupcakes. Cool the cupcakes in the tray for 5 minutes, then cool them on a wire rack.
4.  For the lemon curd filling, add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and whisk until combined. Over high heat, whisk the mixture for 5-10 minutes or until thickened. Set aside to cool.
5.  For the buttercream frosting, add the butter to a stand mixer or large bowl. Whip until pale and light in colour. Add the sugar and the rest of the ingredients and whip until fluffy. Mix in more pink or blue powder to achieve your desired colour.
6.  To assemble, when the cupcakes have completely cooled, use a knife or apple corer to remove the middles. Fill the cupcakes with the lemon curd.
7.  Scoop the buttercream into a piping bag with a star or round nozzle. Pipe the buttercream on the cupcakes as desired. Serve immediately.