Chai Cupcakes

After many many recipes I have found the ONE. Cupcake recipe is from http://ladolcivita.blogspot.com/
and the Frosting recipe is from http://www.recipes5000.com/ .

Here are the recipes for you to try, enjoy!

Chai Cupcakes
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk

1/4 to 1/2 cup Tazo Chai Concentrate(*Note: Keep your liquids equal to 1 cup. For a mild chai taste use 1/4 cup of chai and 3/4 cup of milk. For a stronger chai flavor, use 1/2 cup of chai and milk each.)

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/3 cup canola oil

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Measure the chai in a measuring cup; add milk until mixture equals 1 cup. whisk in cider vinegar and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Pour in soy milk mixture, along with oil, sugar, and vanilla, and stir just until no large lumps remain.

4. Fill cupcake liners with 1/4 cup of batter (liners should be 2/3 full), and bake for 20-22 minutes or until puffed and golden. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Chai Buttercream Frosting

Yield: makes enough frosting for 16 regular cupcakes

3 cups powdered sugar

1 cup butter

1 to 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons of Chai Concentrate

In an electric mixer with a beater on low-medium speed, mix the sugar and butter until well blended, about 3 minutes.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.

Note that as the sugar starts blending with the butter you might need to increase the speed to medium so the mixture does not stick to the beater.

Add Chai Concentrate slowly while the mixer is on low speed and continue mixing until Chai is well blended and the batter turns a dark cream color.

Finally, add the whipping cream and keep mixing until buttercream is soft and smooth. It should not separate or look watery; if this happens increase the speed to medium and mix until smooth.

Frost cupcakes as desired and garnish with a sprinkle of shaved chocolate or an edible flower.