Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

picture taken from my personal collection

Ingredients:

2/3 cup white whole-wheat flour
1 1/3 cup cake flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup canola oil
1 whole vanilla bean, split lengthwise
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 can (12 oz.) low-fat evaporated milk, divided

Frosting:

¼ cup all-purpose flour, sifted
Pinch of salt
2 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup packed confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Sprinkles for decorations (optional)

Create it!!

1. Cupcakes: preheat oven to 350 F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Whisk whole-wheat flour, cake flour, baking soda, and ½ tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat granulated sugar and oil in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Scrape the black paste out of the vanilla bean and into the sugar mixture. Add applesauce, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
4. With mixer on low, alternately mix in dry ingredients and ½ cup of the evaporated milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined. Divide the batter among the prepared cups (they will be full).
5. Bake the cupcakes for 18 – 20 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean. Cool completely.
6. Frosting: whisk 2/3 cup of the remaining evaporated milk, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan until no flour lumps remain. Cool over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it looks like a thick, stiff paste, 2 – 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and continue whisking about 30 seconds to cool slightly. Whisk in chocolate until completely melted. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
7. Refrigerate the frosting until thickened and cold, about 2 hours. Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Makes 1 dozen cupcakes.