Cupcakes and a traffic light

In the past month or so I baked two types of cupcakes (I know, not amazingly productive). They are both taken from the delightful book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World (although they're not completely vegan, I deveganized them a bit)

Green Tea Cupcakes:

The cupcake is sitting on a plate made by my cousin, Orna

• 1/2 c yogurt
• 2/3 rice milk
• 1/4 t vanilla extract
• 1/3 c canola oil
• 1/2 t almond extract
• 1 1/4 c flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/4 t baking soda
• 3-4 t matcha tea powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 3/4 c granulated sugar

Whisk all wet ingredients together, then sift dry ingredients in and mix in gently until incorporated. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes (until a toothpick inserted through the center of one cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely and then top with glaze.

Green tea glaze:

• 2 T butter
• 1 c confectioners' sugar
• 1/8-1/4 t matcha tea powder
• 1-2 T milk (I used soy)
  
• 1/4 t almond extract
• a drop of vanilla extract

Fluff the butter with a fork, mix in the matcha powder with the sugar and combine with the butter till crumbs form. Then add 1 T milk and extracts. Beat. If too thick, add a bit more milk, 1 t at a time.

Grapefruit Cupcakes:



This is an adaptation from the book's "orange pudding cupcakes". I just replaced the orange juice with grapefruit juice, omitted the pudding (just because of laziness) and completely changed the topping.

• 1/3 c canola oil
• 3/4 c sugar
• 3/4 c soy milk
• 1/2 c freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 c flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt

Combine wet ingredients and sugar, and 1 T flour (helps emulsify). Beat until combined. In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients, then add them in 3 batches to the wet ingredients. Beat until smooth (but don't over do it). Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-22 min. Cool completely and top with glaze.

Grapefruit glaze (inspired by green tea glaze):

• 2 T butter
• 1 c confectioners' sugar
• 1-2 T grapefruit juice
• 1/4 t almond extract
• drop of vanilla extract

Prepare as described for green tea glaze.

UPDATE: Reducing 3/4 cup of grapefruit juice to 2 tablespoons gives the glaze an incredible peachy color and an intense citrus flavor -- highly recommended!

And now for something completely different:

Traffic Light Parfait:


It's basically just kiwi, mango, and strawberry, layered, with some yogurt mixed with honey in between. Honey yogurt is good!
I think I need to get some tall wine/champagne glasses for this dessert!