These Flower-Shaped Vegan Cupcakes are not only visually appealing but also delicious, featuring the unique flavor of dragon fruit. Here’s how to create these delightful treats!

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) almond milk (or any non-dairy milk)
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (225g) pureed dragon fruit (red or pink for color)

For the Frosting:

• ½ cup (113g) vegan butter, softened
• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk (adjust for consistency)
• Optional: Natural food coloring for decoration

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray with flower-shaped cupcake liners.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the almond milk, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, and pureed dragon fruit until smooth.
4. Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
5. Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the flower-shaped cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare Frosting:
   • In a mixing bowl, beat the softened vegan butter until creamy.
   • Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
   • Add non-dairy milk as needed to achieve your desired frosting consistency.
9. Decorate as Flowers:
   • Use a piping bag fitted with a petal tip to frost each cupcake in a flower shape.
   • Optionally use natural food coloring to tint some frosting for added decoration.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Your Flower-Shaped Vegan Cupcakes with Dragon Fruit are ready to impress!

Tips

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• Customization: Feel free to add more dragon fruit puree for extra flavor or use different colors of frosting for a more vibrant look.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for best results.

These Flower-Shaped Vegan Cupcakes are sure to be a hit at any gathering with their unique flavor and beautiful presentation! Enjoy your baking!