Delicious moist vegan chocolate cupcakes with a vegan chocolate frosting that is actually good for you (aka healthy).
Since starting on this dessert blogging journey I have learnt a lot about dietary restrictions that I had no clue excited before. Sure, I knew that a vegan diet/lifestyle means avoiding all animal-related products. Consequently I thought most desserts must be taboo altogether.
Because how on earth could you bake without butter, eggs and milk?
Turns out, you can! And it does not have to taste like cardboard. Claire Gosse wrote a dessert cookbook full of tasty treats that are all vegan. While recipe testing and having others (non-vegans as well) taste test the result she often was told "Are you sure that's vegan?"
The same holds true for these amazing chocolate cupcakes from Claire's cookbook. Although I knew I hadn't put any animal-product into the batter, I couldn't tell that they tasted any different. They were deliciously moist, while being fluffy and super chocolate-y!
But I didn't want to rely on only my own opinion and also had my husband and family try these vegan chocolate cupcakes. Only...I didn't tell them they were vegan - and sure enough, without knowing, none of them noticed any difference. They were inhaled just like any regular chocolate cake.
Now you might wonder, why would I make vegan cupcakes when no one in my family is vegan?
I don't know about you but I love to make desserts for other people. And every once in a while I know there will be people with certain dietary restrictions at a gathering. I just love to be able to bring something that they can enjoy as well.
For example, a few years back my little sister had asked me for cupcakes to bring to school for her classmates. She knew that a couple of her classmates were lactose-intolerant. Having tried-and-tested vegan recipes on hand was perfect for this occasion.
"Are You Sure That's Vegan?" features 55 vegan clones of everyone's favorite desserts. There are recipes for classic layer cakes, delectable cookies, pies, fudge and even cheesecake!
Instead of a buttercream I chose a healthy frosting from Texanerin to pair these chocolate cupcakes with. The frosting consists of the flesh of 1 avocado, maple syrup, cocoa and espresso powder. That's it! So simple yet so delicious and even healthy. I assure you, it does not taste like avocado at all.
Another great frosting option would be this easy delicious 2-ingredient chocolate mousse.
Recently, I figured out that many of my cake sinking issues are related to the high altitude we live at now. A few changes like reducing sugar and leavening, increasing liquid and temperature make regular recipes work for high-altitude. I included the alterations I made in brackets () in the recipe below.
Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with healthy Chocolate Espresso Frosting
Ingredients
For the vegan cupcakes:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups white sugar (1 ⅓ c)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (½ tsp)
- ½ cup canola oil
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (heaping ½ c)
- 1 cup soy milk or almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
For the healthy frosting:
- 1 avocado
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
() denote adjustments for high-altitude baking
Instructions
Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350 F (370 F for high-altitude baking).
- In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Stir or whisk until there are no more lumps.
- Line a cupcake pan with paper liners and fill each ⅔ full with batter. Bake for 20-25 mins. (17-20 at 370 F) until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack until fully cooled.
Healthy Chocolate Espresso Frosting:
- Combine all frosting ingredients in a food processor until completely smooth. It might take a while to get all avocado chunks out.
- You can add more maple syrup or espresso powder to adjust sweetness and coffee flavor to taste.
- Spread frosting on cooled cupcakes and decorated with sprinkles (optional). I used these edible glitter heart sprinkles.
Pin this Vegan Chocolate Cupcake recipe for later?
Note: Do your research on your grocery store brand sugar! I know that the sugar refineries in my area use bone-char (charcoal from animal bones) in the refining process. If I want to make truly vegan desserts I use this organic sugar from Wholesome Sweeteners which is also certified vegan.
Other Similarly Good Recipes
Looking for more vegan treats?
My Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp is vegan and uses healthy coconut oil:
Another awesome vegan snack are these Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Banana Bites:
If you are into cake decorating this vegan fondant recipe is a great alternative to gelatin fondant:
Disclaimer:
This post contains affiliate links. I will earn a commission, if you decide to buy any products through the links in this post (bloggers have to live too so I can keep bringing you awesome recipes and giveaways 😉 )
Random Questions
Vegan cupcakes are made without any animal-derived products such as eggs, butter, or milk. They often use plant-based substitutes like flaxseed or applesauce for binding, oil for fat, and non-dairy milk for moisture.
Vegan cupcakes are made using plant-based ingredients and substitutes for traditional animal-derived products. These often include ingredients like plant-based milk, vegetable oil, flaxseed or chia seed as egg replacements, and non-dairy yogurt or applesauce. The use of these substitutes helps achieve the desired texture and moisture without the need for eggs or dairy.
Just Desserts' vegan cupcakes may not necessarily require refrigeration if they are consumed within a day or two. However, it's recommended to store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in a cool, dry place. If the cupcakes are frosted with perishable toppings, refrigeration might be necessary to maintain their freshness.
Em
Key Lime Cheesecake is a must - the lime will make it divine!
The Peace Patch
The blueberry pie would make me spinfully happy! Many thanks!
Mimi
All of the cookie recipes!
sarah oswald
the peanut butter fude or peanut butter cups! YUM!!
Jessica
Love cinnamon buns!
Anna A.
I am blown away by your awesome blog and recipes! I want to try vegan Quiche (all kinds)! I have recently been introduced to the dish and I'd like to make my own instead of have it at a restaurant. More power! 🙂
Kayci Stanley
I would love to make the Crumble Apple Pie. This book looks great!
Brandi Fletcher
Mmm...funnel cake
Elizabete
Creme brûlée! Please!
I used to Love it before going vegan besides it's gluten free c:
Jennifer K
Nanaimo bars!
Stephanie OMalley
The chocolate chip cookies
Jerilyn
I would love to make the fudge!!
Regina
That fudge seems to be a favorite for many 🙂 It sure looks and sounds great!
Melissa
Creme Brulee!
Regina
Doesn't the creme brulee look absolutely divine?
Chelsea
The chocolate cheesecake. Yum.
Regina
I am so intrigued to try vegan cheesecake as well 🙂
Ashley - Baker by nature
These cupcakes look amazing, R! Must try them asap!
Regina
They are great, even for non-vegan standards 🙂 LMK what you think of them
Abi
They all sound Amazing- I'm curious to try them all!
Regina
Thats awesome Abi. Good luck for the giveaway
Adrienn Luzics
Blueberry pie!!
Adrienn Luzics
My sister is vegan,and she likes cakes so much 😀
Regina
This book would be perfect for her then Adrienn 🙂
Regina
Indeed, it is hard to go wrong with blueberries. I actually have a bueberry recipe coming up at the end of the week, and since it uses coconut oil instead of butter it is vegan too 🙂
Jennifer
I just made these cupcakes and had to comment on how great they are! They are extremely moist and have a great chocolatey flavor. I'm not a vegan, but I needed a cake recipe that was egg and diary free. This is going to be my go to chocolate cake recipe from now on.
Regina
Thank you so much for taking time to leave this great feedback Jennifer! Much appreciated. I always use my vegan recipes when I want to bake for someone with dairy or egg intolerance 🙂
Vera K
I would try the Nanaimo Bars.
Regina
I love Nanaimo bars soo much 🙂
Friedl
Oh, I am going to try these next weekend, I have a friend coming over who is vegan. And this recipe doesn't have a list of expensive, hard to find ingredients, perfect !
Regina
So glad this recipe can be useful to you so soon! The relatively 'normal' ingredient list is what intrigued me about this recipe as well. No fancy replacer products you wouldn't usually need 🙂 Let me know how you like them
Amy C
Chocolate chip cookie! Thanks for the amazing giveaway~
Regina
Absolutely Amy, I love to be able to bring these giveaways 🙂
Felicia
I'd love to try the peanut butter cups! Yum!
Regina
PB and chocolate are just too awesome together 😀
Laura
Peanut Butter Cups! There are so many that look delicious, but this is one of my all time favorites 😀
Regina
They are soo addicting 😉
Catarina Martins
Can't wait to try the carrot cake! 🙂
Regina
Carrot cake is one of my all time favorites 🙂
Ciara M
strawberry daiquiri cupcakes 🙂
Regina
Those sound so fun!
Kimberly Camille Tiu
peanut butter fudge! <3
sarah
PB Fudge! My goodness!
Ray Chell
Mmm one thing I haven't tried baking since becoming vegan is cheesecake so I would have to trytthat!
Regina
I am so intrigued by that concept as well Ray 🙂
Surendene Jeyaratnarajah
I would love to try the cheesecake recipe. Thanks for the great giveaway! 😀
Regina
Thank you for participating 🙂 Vegan cheesecake seems very interesting indeed
Natalie
the PB fudge sounds delicious, you cupcakes look AMAZING.
Regina
Aww...thanks so much Natalie
Christy Spurlock
PB Fudge
Regina
It does indeed look soo yummy 🙂
Jacquee
These look/sound DELICIOUS, Regina. Will have to try this recipe - maybe with carob powder... Loving the little heart sprinkles. 🙂
Regina
You know, I have never made anything with carob powder but have heard of people using it instead of cocoa so that should work for these cupcakes 🙂 And I definitely have to look into loosing my carob virginity 😉
Margot C
I'd like to make the Nanaimo Bars
Regina
I love Nanaimo Bars Margot! Though I can only have a tiny piece at a time 🙂
heather
i gotta try peanut butter fudge
Regina
It is really intriguing to me too Heather 🙂
Maggie Fout
I want to try the peanut butter fudge.
Regina
I am there with you Maggie. I love fudge!
Maggie Fout
yepper I have only been vegan since April 7th and I miss some good fudge lol.
Lisa P
Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse pie sounds delicious! Thanks for the giveaway!
Regina
That pie does look awesome!