Very Vanilla Cupcakes for Mom

As an only child I feel I have a special bond with my mother.  She is THE best mom in the whole world and she's my best friend.  I have no idea what I'd do without her... So in honor of her birthday today, I'd like to say thank you mom for being you and being so darn great!  You're the best!

So, today we are going to surprise her at work with cupcakes for her birthday....

Very Vanilla Cupcakes!

My basic vanilla cupcake recipe which is here.

Then I took my basic vegan vanilla buttercream and jazzed it up.

Printable Version

Very Vanilla Buttercream (Vegan)

1/2 cup shortening (Earth Balance)
1/2 cup margarine (Earth Balance)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup vanilla soy milk
1 vanilla bean, scraped

Beat together the shortening and margarine until fluffy.  Add the powdered sugar a 1/2 cup at a time while the mixer is on low.  If the buttercream gets too stiff add a little of the soy milk.  Add the vanilla extract, soy milk, and vanilla bean and beat to desired consistency.  If buttercream is a little wet for using a piping bag, just add a little bit more powdered sugar.  After frosting cupcakes.... dust them with a little vanilla sugar.  Yum!