Sweet, chocolatey goodness with a caffeine kick? These vegan mocha cupcakes will embolden you to seize the day. Sign me up!
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The Story: Election (1999)
Election (1999) revolves around high school politics, specifically the presidential race. Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), a self-possessed straight-A student, expects to win. However, when popular jock Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) and his spiteful sister Tammy Metzler (Jessica Campbell) enter the competition, she’s completely taken aback. This wasn’t a part of her master plan: win the presidency, graduate with high marks, and attend a top-tier university.
Behind the scenes, Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), a beloved high school government teacher decides to take matters into his own hands. He can’t help but notice how Tracy Flick stops at nothing to achieve her goals. Mr. McAllister fears that her use of unethical tactics and selfish motives will poorly influence the student body.
Eventually, it’s revealed that Mr. M convinced Paul Metzler to join the race and defeat Tracy. When she finds out, a bitter feud erupts! Tracy will never go down without a fight.
My Take
For years, people told me to watch Election. Now, I fully understand why! Alexander Payne’s clever reimagining of Tom Perrotta’s 1998 novel is dark comedy at its finest.
On the surface, Mr. M and Tracy are completely at odds. He may be in a position of power and influence, but Tracy outmaneuvers him on several occasions. Even so, Mr. McAllister understands what makes the star student tick. He sees beyond Tracy’s facade and vows to expose her. Although she’s manipulative, persistent, and obsessive, so is he!
Every lead possesses unique, ulterior motives. When they clash, it’s exciting to watch…from afar. The characters are outrageous, but it’s impossible not to empathize with their plight, even if they’re responsible for most of the drama.
The Recipe: Bold Vegan Mocha Cupcakes
When Mr. M returns to work after a cataclysmic day, he runs into Tracy Flick. She and her helicopter mom set up several rows of custom chocolate cupcakes—480 in total—for election day. Now, that takes dedication…
The cherry on top? Tracy offers Mr. M one of her delicious treats, frosted with the slogan: “PICK FLICK.”
A bold espresso flavor takes these rich chocolate cupcakes to the next level! Tracy Flick would approve.
Bold Vegan Mocha Cupcakes
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Sifter
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Mixer
- Cookie Scoop
- Cupcake Liners
- Cupcake Baking Pan
- Toothstick
Ingredients
Chocolate Mocha Cupcake
- 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- ¼ cup strong coffee
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted)
- ½ cup apple sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Chocolate Frosting
- 1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut cream (store overnight in fridge)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup Lakanto powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup non-dairy dark chocolate chips (melted and cooled)
Instructions
Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and fill a cupcake tray with foil or paper liners to avoid sticking.
- Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl.1.75 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Whisk in the espresso powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.1 tablespoon instant espresso powder, ¾ cup coconut sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- Next, stir in the wet ingredients: non-dairy milk, coffee, vanilla extract, coconut oil, apple sauce, and vinegar. Combine until the batter is completely smooth.1 cup non-dairy milk, ¼ cup strong coffee, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon coconut oil, ½ cup apple sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Use a cookie scoop to divide the batter between each cupcake liner until two-thirds of the way full.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Or, insert a toothpick into one cupcake and make sure it comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before adding frosting.
Frost
- Chill a can of coconut cream in the refrigerator overnight.1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut cream
- The next day, open the can and scoop out the top layer of thickened cream. Leave any liquid behind.
- Beat the cream for 30 seconds with a mixer. Add vanilla extract.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Incorporate the cocoa powder and powdered sugar.1 cup Lakanto powdered sugar, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave or a double-boiler.
- Stir in the melted chocolate chips and beat the frosting until fluffy.⅓ cup non-dairy dark chocolate chips
- Chill in the fridge for at least 20-30 minutes before piping or eat right away!
Notes
- I typically use Whole Foods’ unsweetened coconut cream. It’s simply delicious!
- My NEW favorite ingredient to bake with is Lakanto’s Classic Monkfruit Powdered Sugar. It tastes JUST like the real thing without any cons! If desired, feel free to substitute with confectioner’s sugar.
- Speaking of favorites, this is my favorite instant espresso powder to use for baking. Medaglia D’Oro works every time.
- I recommend that you cool the frosted chocolate mocha cupcakes before serving or else they might stick to the liners.
- If you are piping the frosting, be sure to chill it in the fridge for a good 20-30 minutes.
