Vegan Midori Melon Cupcakes, #CupcakeDay

Christmas in Tokyo is a commercial affair. Tinseltown LA is similar. Last Christmas, I was touched to see true reverence for the season in Medina, Ohio. Snowy churchyards cradled full-size crèches. Never had I seen so many Nativity scenes or churches in one location. My heart still warms at the memory.



Japanese Midori Melon liquor infused vegan cupcakes...designed to keep you in good spirits!

Yet I confess I also smile when seeing photos of Tokyo dressed up for Christmas. The illuminated Omotesando Hills looks like fairyland. (The avenue gives Disneyland’s Main Street at Christmastime a run for their money.) The Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada shops in the Omotesando/Harajuku area also vies for the most creative Christmas displays. Similar to Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive. Strolling down Omotesando or Rodeo Drive is like walking through the pages of a glossy magazine. Or sipping a glass of sophisticated Japanese Midori Melon liquor. The experience is not substantive but is fluffy fun.



Holiday Cheer: Vegan Midori Melon Cupcakes

As a cheeky Christmas cheers to my hometown of Tokyo and my present home in LA, I created a Vegan Midori Melon Cupcake. The way to win friends and influence people in la-la land (remember Dale Carnegie?) is to bake something vegan and/or gluten-free!



Swirls of Midori Melon frosting says Merry Christmas to this vegan cupcake recipe.

The Vegan Midori Melon Frosting is the best part of the cupcake. (Isn’t it always?) Although tinged with the adult taste of Midori Melon alcohol, the frosting resembles the iced Japanese Mister Donuts I inhaled as a child. Yes, it’s sweet. But you sort of need a scrumptious frosting because the cake is well, vegan. The cupcake is whole milk and egg-deprived. But as vegan baked goods go, I’d give the cake a B+ for softness and texture. Still, I’m happy to say Happy Christmas this season with Vegan Midori Melon Cupcakes!

Vegan Midori Melon Cupcakes

Muskmelon flavored Japanese Midori Melon liquor is swirled into this vegan vanilla cupcake recipe. The Midori Melon cupcake is soft and tastiest when topped with the Ninja Baker's Vegan Midori Melon Frosting. 

The cake recipe is adapted from Je suis alimentageuse Vegan Midori Melon Frosting is a NinjaBaker.com special.

Ingredients: 

For the cupcakes:

  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 4 Ener-G egg replacer vegan eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3½ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1½ cups almond milk
  • ½ cup Midori Melon liquor

For the frosting:

  • 8-ounces vegan cream cheese
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Midori Melon liquor
  • Green food coloring
Directions: 

With a handheld electric mixer beat together the vegetable oil, sugar, vegan eggs and vanilla extract. Sift in the flour, salt and baking powder. Pour in the almond milk and Midori Melon liquor.

Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool. Frost with Vegan Midori Melon Frosting: Fluff up 8-ounces of vegan cream cheese. Gradually add 6 cups of powdered sugar and the Midori Melon. Squeeze in drops of green food coloring.
 

If the vegan trend is not one you embrace, here’s a display of stellar cupcakes celebrating Cupcake Day. The celebration is hosted by the always creative and talented Coleen, The Redhead Baker.

Wishing you cupcake sweetness and joy!

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

 

 

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Tags: 
#vegan
#Japanese
#MidoriMelon
#wine
#cupcakes
#CupcakeDay