
Christmas Treat Times: The Ultimate Guiltless Cupcake
Christmas is a GREAT time for cupcakes, especially my “Let it Snow Cupcakes” (courtesy of a simple sprinkling of coconut).
When it’s cold outside, there’s no better treat than a warm chocolate fudge cupcake.
Now, don’t hate on me, but I have actually never really been a cupcake fan. I know, right? Travesty.
To me they were just a bit too fluffy – I like my textures more dense, moist etc etc.
But these ones have swayed me. Inspired by a recipe out of Alicia Silverstone’s The Kind Diet (an amazing book I received two or three Christmases ago now!) they are naturally sweetened and vegan.
So guess what? I can have birthday cake again (just pour the batter into a cake pan rather than a cupcake tin, and increase the cooking time by 10-15 minutes)!
Okay, all right, you’re getting impatient with me – I can tell.
Let’s get on with it then…but remember first, if you like chocolatey fudgey and healthy things you must try Vitalicious’ Deep Chocolate Vitamuffin or Vitatop – or, you know, win them in my giveaway – it ends tomorrow night!
The Ultimate Guiltless “Let it Snow” Cupcake (adapted from Alicia Silverstone’s The Kind Diet)
INGREDIENTS (makes 12 cupcakes):
For cupcakes:
1/2 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vinegar (I used white wine, you can use any type)
2/3 cup agave nectar
1/3 cup oil of your preference (I used olive)
3 tsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup cocoa powder
* Note: If you want vanilla cupcakes, just omit the cocoa powder and increase the all-purpose flour by 1/4 cup.
For frosting (makes enough to ice 12 cupcakes):
1/4 cup butter (I used Earth Balance)
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Unsweetened dessicated coconut for sprinkling
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Combine milk and vinegar in a bowl and set aside for around 5 minutes.
2. Add agave nectar, oil and vanilla essence to milk and vinegar mixture; stir.
3. In another bowl sift together the flours, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry, mix briefly but until no lumps remain (try not to overmix).
5. Spoon batter into a muffin tin lined with 12 cupcake liners. Bake for 20 minutes or until springy to the touch. Cool before frosting.
6. Make the frosting by creaming the butter and agave nectar together until smooth, then add the vanilla extract and cocoa powder. If it’s too runny for your liking, refrigerate until a bit harder and then ice.
7. Sprinkle unsweetened dessicated coconut on top and enjoy!
*Note: If you like the flavour of coconut, you can also add 1/2 cup to the batter :).
Nutritional information below is per cupcake, if makes 12. For nutritional information for cupcake AND icing, see second image, again if serves 12:
December 21, 2011
Katie
I love the frosting for these, so simple! Thank you for sharing this! Hope you are fabulous love!
xoxo
December 21, 2011
Anna
Thanks love – yes, the frosting is easy and naturally sweetened so no sugar highs – yay for that!
December 21, 2011
Tessa @ Amazing Asset
I love how much healthier these are! And they look gorgeous of course π Thank you for sharing these Anna!
December 21, 2011
Anna
Aw thanks Tessa. They are much healthier, so indulge!
December 21, 2011
Sara @my less serious life
chocolately, fudgey, and healthy? you know i love that. yummmm!
December 21, 2011
Anna
Hope you love them Sara, thank you!
December 21, 2011
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance
No added sugars or eggies? Count me in!
December 21, 2011
Anna
Right? And no eggs = eating batter right from the bowl… π
December 21, 2011
Ellel
My husband loves cupcakes…. think I will halve this and make him some. Thanks!
December 21, 2011
Anna
Definitely, I hope he enjoys! Thanks Elle π
December 21, 2011
Chelsea @ Naturally Sweet Recipes
These look to die for. So rich and fudgey! YUM!
December 21, 2011
Anna
Thank you Chelsea! Yes, very fudgy :).
December 21, 2011
Mary
mm looks yummy. I will just have to live vicariously thru you for the time being–no baking for me this month!
December 21, 2011
Anna
No baking? No fun! But I bet you have lots more time on your hands lol!
December 21, 2011
blogitness
Chocolate and guiltless! Perfect!
December 21, 2011
Anna
Thank you! x
December 21, 2011
Char @ www.charskitchen.ca
Pretty cupcakes!! I wasn’t a big fan of cupcakes until a couple years ago. I don’t like really cakey, fluffy ones, I like them to be moist and gooey. These look perfect, and anything with chocolate is tops in my book π
December 21, 2011
Anna
So glad there’s someone else who understands my cupcake aversion! I totally agree that it’s all about the texture. I made these cupcakes as a gift for someone else as I was going to their party, so I wasn’t intending on liking them myself, but they really pleasantly surprised me – the texture is just right! x
December 21, 2011
Kris | iheartwellness.com
OMG!!! I love cupcakes and I love when they are “healthier” than the usual ones you get at the store! Are these like the most amazing things ever??
xxoo
December 21, 2011
Anna
Thanks hon! Yes, these are less than 200 calories, so you can’t beat that at the store! π
December 22, 2011
Anna @ Food Fitness Frolicking
Yes please, I’ll have a dozen of these sent to me. Like, right now.
Oh my, these are fantastic looking. Easy frosting = perfect.
December 22, 2011
Anna
Haha what’s your address? I’ll send some over as a Christmas present π xx
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