Unicorn Chocolate Cupcakes

Do you need a bit more magic in your hum-drum life? Then these are the cupcakes for you. The moist chocolate buttermilk cupcakes are topped with a decadent buttercream frosting and decorated with all of the toppings to bring your childhood dreams to life. These cupcakes are great at a party and provide the perfect canvas to show off your creativity.

Unicorn Chocolate Cupcakes [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 2/3 cups self-raising flour (you can use gluten-free if needed)
• 1 cup golden caster sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cacao powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• A pinch of salt
• 4 2/5 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

For Decorating:

• Vegan buttercream
• Vegan food coloring, for coloring buttercream
• Vegan fondant, for making horns and ears
• Vegan candies and sprinkles, for decorating

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 320°F and line a cupcake tin with cupcake cases.
2. In a small bowl, combine the almond milk with the apple cider vinegar and whisk it until fully combined.
3. Set this aside for 10 minutes to curdle. This creates a vegan "buttermilk".
4. In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, cacao powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix everything well to combine.
5. Add the coconut oil and vanilla to the "buttermilk" and whisk the mixture to combine.
6. Fill each cupcake case 3/4 full with batter – make sure to tap the tins on the worktop to remove any air bubbles.
7. Pop the cakes into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You will know they are done when you put a knife or skewer in and it comes out clean and they are springy to the touch.
8. Place the cupcakes on a cooling rack and allow to cool fully. Once cool, pop them into a sealed container to keep them fresh before frosting.
9. If you're using one color frosting, place your buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a star tip nozzle. Pipe small rosettes, swirls, flowers to create a unicorn mane – just be creative.
10. Place the decorations onto the cupcakes and decorate with magical sprinkles and edible glitter.

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/unicorn-chocolate-cupcakes/