A few months ago, I backpacked through Southeast Asia. Every once in a while, I would stumble upon a delicious green teach concotion that was called "milk green tea." I am not sure if any of you have had a thai tea before, but it is the same idea, just with green tea instead of red. It is a mint green color and danced like sweet creamy green tea from heaven.

Since I have been back I get weekly cravings for this lovely little drink and so I set out on a coffee shop quest. I knew that your typical chain coffee shop would not have it so I had to explore the smaller ones. My search brought me to Citispot in Clinton. Right there in front of me, something I had been dreaming about for months, was a sign that said "matcha iced green tea." As I sat in one of the comfy leather chairs I thought to myself, this matcha green tea would be delightful as a dessert. Maybe green tea cake or cupcakes? With that idea in my head and the taste on my tongue I purchased some matcha green tea powder, which you can find at most asian markets.

The matcha green tea powder did not let me down. It is delicious as an iced green tea, and even more amazing as a cupcake. I made my cupcakes vegan and believe me, no one could tell.

Matcha Green Tea Vegan Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup soy yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 4 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
• dash of salt
• 3/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 and grease the cupcake pan. Mix together all of the wet ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients and slowly add them to the wet mixture. Beat well until smooth. Bake for 20 min and add chocolate frosting recipe below.

Frosting

• 1/4 cup non-dairy butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powder sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the rest of the ingredients and continue mixing until smooth.

These vegan cupcakes will have your meat-and-potato-eating friends and family crying for love of vegan food!