Happy ITLAPD, Sea Dogs an' Land Lubbers!

That be "International Talk Like a Pirate Day", in case ye didna know.


(Pirate-speak translation brought to you by Sydd Ware)

Rum: th' perfect accessory fer International Talk Like a Swashbuckler Tide. Better yet, let's make that rum raisin. Or chocolate rum raisin. Cobblin' together two o' me favorite recipes from Vegan Cupcakes Take O'er th' World gave me yummy cupcakes in record time. If ye prefer, ye can make th' rummy raisins without liquor by substitutin' equal parts water an' rum extract fer th' dark rum. Less shipmatey, still tasty. Now off ye go t' make ye some cupcakes! Arrrr!

Chocolate Rum Raisin Cupcakes (adapted from VCTOTW)
Yields 12 cupcakes

2/3 cup raisins, coarsely chopped
2 Tbl. dark rum (or 1 Tbl. rum extract + 1 Tbl. water)
1 cup milk or soy milk
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. rum extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

1. Place raisins and rum (or rum extract & water) in a small bowl and heat in microwave until warm, about 30-60 seconds.  Cover with plastic wrap and set aside while preparing cupcake batter.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F and place 12 paper liners in a muffin pan
3. Combine milk and vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside to curdle. Meanwhile, sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in separate bowl.
4. Add sugar, oil, and vanilla to milk mixture, whisking until foamy.
5. Add half of dry ingredients to wet mixture. Whisk until combined. Add remainder of dry ingredients, and whisk until combined (some small lumps might remain, but that's okay).
6. Drain raisins and stir them into batter.
7. Pour batter into 12 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. It might look like it's too much batter, but they'll be fine. Bake for 18-21 minutes, or until cakes test done. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. Cupcakes might shrink a bit while cooling.