Vegan Muffins

• ½ cup plus 1 tbsp135 mloilneutral-flavored
• ¾ cup plus 3 tbsp225 mlplant milkalmond, rice, soy, oat...
• ¾ cup plus 2 tbsp180 ggranulated sugar
• 4 tspvanilla sugar2 packets = 4 tsp (16 g). Sugar flavored with vanillin (artificial vanilla), sold in small packets of about 8 g. In the US use 1 tsp vanilla extract plus 2 tsp sugar for each 8 g packet; in the UK, vanilla sugar sachets, or 1 tsp vanilla extract plus 2 tsp sugar per sachet.
• 1 pinchsalt
• 2 ½ tbsp20 gall-purpose flourIn German recipes plain flour means soft wheat flour Type 405 unless stated otherwise. In the US use all-purpose flour; in the UK, plain flour.
• 3 tspbaking powderGerman baking powder is sold in 15 g packets, each meant for about 500 g (4 cups) of flour. In the US use baking powder, 1 tbsp plus ¾ tsp per 15 g packet; in the UK, baking powder, 1 tbsp plus ¾ tsp per 15 g packet.
• 2 tbsp15 gcornstarchA fine starch, usually made from corn, used to thicken creams and lighten cakes. In the US use cornstarch; in the UK, cornflour.

For Christmas cupcakes

• 1 tspground cinnamon
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 pinchChinese five-spice powderor a Christmas spice blend

Vegan whipped cream filling

• 2 cups plus 1 tbsp500 mlplant-based whipping creamCocos Whip, Rice Whip, Schlagfix or whippable soy cream
• 3 tspgranulated sugar
• 1 tspground cinnamon
• 2 packetsvegan whipped cream stabilizer or agar-based gelling powderWhipped cream stabilizer is a packet of modified starch and sugar that keeps whipped cream firm; one packet is used for about 1 cup (250 ml) of cream. In the US use whipped cream stabilizer powder (sold online and in some baking aisles); in the UK, cream stabiliser powder (sold online); check that it is vegan. Agar-based gelling powder is a plant-based gelling powder made with agar; it has to be boiled briefly to set. In the US and UK use agar agar powder, using the amount on its package because strengths vary.