This may seem like your average boring cupcake (or is there such a thing??)… but don’t be fooled by the typical title; these little guys will blow you away. They stole the show when I made them for a baby shower recently, and seconds were had by all. The chocolate cake is the easiest and most moist cake you’ll ever have (and it happens to be vegan too). And the frosting… THE. FROSTING. I’ll just say.. you may not even need a cupcake, just a spoon. It’s light and airy and down right delicious. I’m not a frosting kind of girl whatsoever… I usually scrape 3/4 of it off, but this is different!

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups cane sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup canola oil
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 2 cups cold water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line two cupcake pans with paper liners and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.  Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, water, vanilla extract and vinegar.
4. Slowly whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients being careful not to overmix.  The mixture will be quite wet.
5. Pour the batter until the cups are two thirds full and place in the oven for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cup comes out clean.
6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then place on a wire rack until completely cool before frosting.

For the frosting:

enough for 24 cupcakes

• 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 3¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

To make the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter and peanut butter until smooth.  Slowly mix in the confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth and well blended.  Mix in the whipped topping until smooth and fluffy. Refrigerate for about an hour. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.

Take the Dujour Baking Challenge! Which one of you daring readers will take on Abi’s claim that this frosting is the best? Be bold. Be daring. Go bake! Then come back to this post, our Twitter, or our Facebook and share pics or stories of your daring challenge for a chance to win a Dujour Baking Care Package!