Cupcakes Take Over My Kitchen...

I have a sweet tooth. If you know me you know how much of an understatement that is...throughout my years I have always been on a quest for that satisfying bite, that one that beat out all others in the perfect combination of yum and satisfaction. Once I became vegan; however, it became much more difficult to just go out and buy something that would satisfy that craving once it hit. So what's a girl to do???

Start baking, that's what! I have become a label reader, as anyone who has made a major transition in their diet knows exactly what I'm talking about. I have tried to eliminate processed foods from my diet. I no longer buy snack cakes or cookies in a package. (Sometimes I will buy a bakery treat as long as I am able to assure that it is vegan.) This does NOT mean that I have given up yummy treats...I have them. I just make them myself. Amazing how much different something fresh baked tastes, without the preservatives and other crap that is added. I control the ingredients...I like that.

Yesterday I was craving strawberry cake in a bad way. So after looking through many many cookbooks and at many recipes online, I decided to make Strawberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing...all VEGAN of course! I did a little combining of recipes and came up with a great end product. My husband's response, after his first bite, was, "These are good!" If you knew my husband you would know that these words are not delivered easily...especially as he is an omnivore! Oh, to win the respect of an omnivore...that's what I live for in the kitchen! (Not to mention the fact he has always been the chef in this family and has that annoying ability to throw stuff together in a pan and have it taste great...) But I digress...

I settled on the Golden Vanilla Cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. The only change I made was adding fresh cut strawberries to the batter prior to baking. I wondered as to whether or not it altered the consistency of the batter too much but end result: I like them. For the icing, I used this recipe. As I said earlier...they were GREAT!

Here is a pic of the finished product. I'm not very good with the icing application...as you can see...but fortunately that doesn't alter the taste! Now, if you'll pardon me, I need to go eat a cupcake. Nom nom nom!