Takoda Warner’s Vegan Orange Lemon Cupcakes

I thought that lemon orange and thyme would be a good flavor combination because the thyme adds a savoriness, the orange adds a sweeter flavor, and the lemon makes everything brighter. When I first made the buttercream the thyme was not strong enough, so I had to make a second batch. After making a second batch the balance between thyme and citrus was much better. I think that adding herbs to cupcakes gives them a slight savory taste, making them less sweet and also making the other flavors stand out more.

—By Takoda Warner