Cupcakes

Ok, truth be told, I have a love/hate relationship with Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Easter.  Not to mention the weekly round of in-class birthday parties for the 30 kid's in RJ's class.  It is difficult for me as a mother to watch my child's face, after he leaves a party, when he holds the package of food he wasn't able to eat, or opens up the goody bag and has to hand it over because of something he can't have. For when it really comes to it, as much as I want my child to experience the normalcy of childhood, of life, it eludes him at times, the dividing factor being food.

In order to combat this ever-present dilemma, I am the mom who shows up to everything with 30 cupcakes in hand.  One for every child so nobody is left out.  I keep these cupcakes in the freezer; thawing them and frosting them right before we go.  Works like charm!

INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbl white vinegar
2 cups water
3/4 c oil

Mix all ingredients together, coat pan with cooking spray or cupcake liners, and bake!!

Cake:  Bake in 9 x 13 cake pan @ 350 for 35-40 minutes
Cupcakes:  Bake in lined cupcake pan @ 350 for 18-20 minutes