You’ve probably noticed my affinity for orange. I can’t help it, it combines really well with so many other flavors I tend to throw it in everything lately. Truth be told, I recently acquired about 2 lbs. of vegan chocolate chips from Wild Oats and wanted a way to incorporate them into a cupcake without going overboard on the chocolate. July does tend to be hot, after all, and as delicious as chocolate is it’s not always the best thing on a hot day. So when Tony, Teno and I were invited to a friend’s house for the 4th, I figured it was the cupcake gods telling me now was the time to bust out those chocolate chips. This recipe is similar to the one I previously posted for vegan creamcicle cupcakes but with a few small alterations.

For the cupcakes you will need:

• 1 cup soymilk
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbs cornstarch
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 & 1/2 tsp pure orange extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2/3 cup vegan chocolate chips

Then you:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a cupcake pan with papers.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the soy milk and vinegar and set aside until it curdles.
3. Sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a smaller bowl.
4. Whisk together the soy milk mixture, oil, sugar, orange and vanilla extracts.
5. Mix in the sifted dry ingredients and mix until no large lumps remain.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 20-22 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.
8. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

For the orange vegan buttercream you will need:

• 1/4 cup non-hydrogenated shortening
• 1/4 cup non-hydrogenated margarine
• 1 3/4 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 tablespoons soy milk

Beat shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes. Add orange extract and soymilk, beat for another 5 to 7 minutes or so until fluffy.