Molasses Marble Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1/4 Tsp. salt
1 Tsp. baking powder
1/4 C. molasses
1/2 Tsp. cinnamon
1/4 Tsp. nutmeg
1/4 Tsp. ground cloves
1 large egg, lightly beaten
6 tablespoons butter, softened
2/3 C. sugar
1 Tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 Tsp. grated lemon zest
1/2 C. milk
1/8 Tsp. baking soda

1 Preheat oven to 350*.Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners.set aside.

2 In a small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder & salt.set aside.
3 In a 1 C. measure, combine molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves.set aside.
4 In medium bowl, beat butter till light & fluffy, lower mixer speed to medium,
beat in eggs, then the lemon zest & vanilla extract.
5 Lower the speed to low, beat in flour & the milk, stir in the baking soda into the
molasses mixture --
6 Remove 1 C. of batter to small bowl, stir in molasses, alternately spoon dollops
of yellow & molasses batter into the prepared tins, use a dinner knife, gently
make an X in each mound of dough.to marbelize.
7 Bake until tops are soft & springy.about 20-25 minutes.
8 Cool in tins on rack.