If you know me, every time I search for a recipe I include the word “easy” in that search.

These are some really easy and delicious white cupcakes with chocolate frosting that I made for my birthday (ok, mostly I made them because I’m a sugar addict, I didn’t need a good reason). They can easily be made pareve or dairy. I actually made them pareve this time and they were delicious.

Cupcakes:

INGREDIENTS______________________________________________

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (or 1/2 cup (pareve) margarine)
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk (or ½ pareve milk alternative, I used coconut milk)

DIRECTIONS_______________________________________________

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a 12-muffin pan with cupcake liners.
3. Cream together the sugar and butter.
4. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
5. Add the flour and baking powder, and mix well.
6. Stir in the milk until batter is smooth.
7. Pour or spoon batter into the liners.
8. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.
9. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean (or when cake springs back to the touch).

Frosting:

INGREDIENTS__________________________________________________________________________

• 1/4 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup milk (or ⅓ cup milk alternative, such as coconut milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

DIRECTIONS____________________________________________________________________________

1. Melt the margarine
2. Beat melted margarine and cocoa together until combined.
3. Add milk and vanilla, then beat until smooth.
4. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until desired consistency is achieved. If necessary, adjust with more milk or confectioners’ sugar.