Valentines Cupcakes

Hey Lovebirds!

Valentine's day is almost here and if you guys are having trouble thinking of what to get your dashing gent or lovely lady or your friends, here's a little recipe that may be just perfect :)

I found the recipe for this cupcake on a blog called "Can You Stay For Dinner". The thing that really appealed to me about this recipe was that 1) it was super easy and 2) that it was relatively low fat as far as baked treats go. I think people think that for a treat to taste good it needs to be full fat and full sugar (which I'll admit, tastes oh so delicious lol) but it was nice to find a really yummy recipe that isn't full sugar!

Anyways, here's what you'll need:

• 1 Cup nonfat or low fat milk (dairy or nondairy)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Cup all purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour (I used 1/2 cup of all purpose and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour)
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

First, combine the milk and vinegar and set aside. This is so that it'll curdle like buttermilk.

Next, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt then also set aside.

After that, in a large bowl, combine brown sugar, apple sauce and vanilla. Pour in the milk mixture and mix well.

Once the brown sugar, apple sauce, vanilla and milk are combined, stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. I was kinda surprised that the batter was so thin and runny (like pancake batter) but don't be alarmed! It's supposed to be like that.

Divide the batter evenly among 9-12 muffin cups and bake for about 18 minutes at 350 degrees fahrenheit. I only made 9 cupcakes and because there was more batter in each cup I had to make for about 5 extra minutes. Let the cupcakes cool for 10 minutes while still in the tray before removing to cool completely.

These little bad boys were super yummy and super moist! What I really liked about them was that they weren't too sweet like some cupcakes can be and then when you add icing it becomes over powering sweet.

I decided to take these cupcakes to the next level by cutting the top off the muffin and with a cookie cutter making a heart shaped hole in the top. Put some pink icing on the exposed cut edge and replace the cupcake top to have a cute little Valentine's Day treat :)

Do you guys make things for Valentine's Day? or do you prefer to buy gifts?

Until next time, my friends!

Cheers,

Danielle

Ps. I'm on Instagram! Follow me at danielle_spilch!!