RED VELVET CHIFFON CUPCAKES
My first attempt at using boxed cake mix minus the eggs was a success. Substitute applesauce for the oil and JUST EGG made from plants. I also added 2 teaspoons of baking soda. A little lighter and more airy than bakery style. Filled with a cocoa and maraschino cherry cream topping – dairy-free by RICH’S!
Happy Birthday to Steve!
Makes 12 cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1 c. water
15.5 oz. pkg. Duncan Hines RED VELVET Cake Mix
1/4 c. JUST EGG (liquid egg substitute)
1/3 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 t. baking soda
1 c. RICH’S WHIP TOPPING, thawed completely
1 T. unsweetened powdered cocoa
1 T. maraschino cherry juice from jar – I used Tillen Farms Stonewall Kitchen brand
6 maraschino cherries, finely chopped
Garnish: cocoa powder for dusting tops
1- In food processor combine water, cake mix, JUST EGG and applesauce. Process till super smooth.
2- Add baking soda and process till super smooth again, about 2 minutes, starting and stopping to prevent unit from overheating.
3- Thoroughly grease inside bottoms, sides and tops with margarine.
4- Spoon batter evenly into hollows.
5- Bake on middle rack of preheated oven as instructed on box or till toothpick comes out clean when inserted in middle. I went 25 minutes.
6- Remove from oven, place on board, then when cool enough to handle, lift from hollows and cool on wire rack.
7- Next, make topping. Place liquid cream in bowl and whip with whisk or electric beaters till almost stiff.
8- Add cocoa powder, maraschino cherry juice and chopped cherries. Continue to whip till you achieve stiff peaks.
9- Carefully cut out a funnel shape from top of each cupcake. Fill with whip topping. Replace cap and dust with a little cocoa powder.
Notes: Now that I know what’s possible, I’ll experiment with other cake mixes. I don’t like the aluminum component in the mix, which Duncan Hines could easily alter if they had the will. We’ll see down the road if they produce a plant based version of mixes or will tout their existing mixes as animal-free.
Chemicals don’t count as plants, so I don’t think the existing ingredient list would qualify as plant based, though it would qualify as animal-free. For example red dye #40 is a chemical not a plant, but it is animal-free.
The maraschino cherries I used were from Tillen Farms Stonewall Kitchen brand. Here’s proof you don’t need to use #40 red dye to achieve red color. No red dye #40. No corn syrup. Gluten-free and vegan. Thank you.
ANIMAL-FREE SOUS-CHEF™ 