Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (2024)

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5 from 4 votes

45 minutes minutes

by Marly

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These super moist vegan chocolate cupcakes are loaded with chocolate flavor. These easy cupcakes are made with everyday ingredients, making them your new favorite cupcake recipe. Top them with creamy vegan chocolate frosting for parties and celebrations of all kinds.

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (1)

There’s something pretty special about cupcakes. You can decorate them however you like and they come perfectly portioned for one serving. How great is that!

I’m happy to share with you that it’s easy to make chocolate cupcakes vegan! It may seem difficult to bake with eggs or dairy, but my tips today should help pave the way for the best egg and dairy-free cupcakes ever!

What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • Using natural cocoa powder infuses these cupcakes with chocolate flavor and interacts with the other ingredients to produce light and fluffy cupcakes
  • Apple cider vinegar helps soften the protein in the flour, creating a tender crumb
  • Using everyday ingredients keeps these cupcakes easy to make on a moment’s notice!

Table of Contents show

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Flour — I recommend using all-purpose flour or you can substitute whole wheat pastry flour.
  • Granulated sugar — I find granulated sugar works just fine, or you can substitute coconut sugar.
  • Cocoa powder — I use natural, not Dutch-process, unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Salt — You can use table salt or sea salt.
  • Baking soda — Make sure yours is fresh by testing a bit in vinegar. If it bubbles, your batch is good to go.
  • Cornstarch — You can use cornstarch or substitute arrowroot powder.
  • Vegetable oil — I used canola oil, or substitute olive oil or melted refined coconut oil.
  • Vinegar — I used apple cider vinegar, or you can use white vinegar.
  • Vanilla Extract — I find this to be an optional ingredient, but if you have some on-hand, it is a nice touch.

How to Make Vegan Cupcakes

I’ve noticed several vegan cupcake recipes looking kind of complicated. That seems antithetical to the whole idea of a cupcake. They should be easy. Fun. Simple, even! So, I’m happy to announce that it’s oh-so-easy to make this vegan cupcake recipe!

Step One: Mix the Dry Ingredients

This recipe requires mixing these together in a mixing bowl: all-purpose flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and cornstarch.

Step Two: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl combine the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Give it a stir.

Before you pour this in with the dry ingredients, STOP! Ask yourself these questions:

  1. Is the oven preheated to 350°F?
  2. Are the cupcake muffin compartments prepared? You can either paper them or grease them.

If you can’t answer a resounding YES to both of these questions, then take a chill pill. Seriously. Do not mix the wet and the dry ingredients until you’re ready to bake. Why? Because we want to take advantage of the chemical reaction that occurs when combining baking soda with the vinegar.

That’s not the only role vinegar plays in this recipe, but it’s one of them. And it’s important!

Marly’s Tips

Vegan cupcake batter should be a little on the thick side. That helps create a slight dome in the cupcakes.

Step Three: Distribute Batter into Cupcakes Compartments + Bake

Once you’re ready to bake, go ahead and pour the water mixture over the flour mixture and stir to combine. I like to get a whisk and give it a few stirs until any flour lumps are gone. You don’t want to overmix, but you also don’t want a bunch of those pesky flour bumps either.

I use a cookie dough dispenser to distribute the cupcake batter evenly between the cupcake compartments. Be sure to fill your compartments between 1/2 and 1/3 full.

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Reader Reviews

★★★★★
Made these for my daughter’s birthday and they were a hit!

Nancy

Best Vegan Frosting

Now that your cupcakes are done and you’re itching to eat them (of course!), let’s talk about the frosting.

  • This vegan chocolate frosting is rich and creamy and made with lots of chocolate flavor.
  • Vegan vanilla frosting is perfect with sprinkles on top.
  • This creamy vegan cream cheese frosting recipe is great too!
  • Add some vegan raspberry buttercream on top for a gorgeous topping.
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (3)

I love using colorful sprinkles too! You’ll see I used a Wilton 1M tip (paid link) to make that beautiful frosting tip.

Of course, if you’re wanting to make healthy chocolate cupcakes, you could go a little lighter on the frosting.

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Frequently-Asked Questions

Are vegan cupcakes healthy?

A vegan cupcake may be healthier than a standard cupcake because it’s cholesterol-free and possibly lower in saturated fats. It also is healthier for the environment because it’s free of animal products. However, a vegan cupcake is still an indulgent dessert and should be consumed in moderation.

How long do vegan cupcakes last?

A vegan cupcake has the same shelf life as a non-vegan, traditional cupcake. A vegan cupcake, when stored in an airtight container, will keep about 3–4 days at room temperature and up to 10 days in the fridge. They can even be frozen for up to 3 months when stored properly.

Are Betty Crocker cakes vegan?

Many Betty Crocker cake mixes are made without milk or eggs and therefore are safe for vegans to eat. Simply substitute a flax egg for the eggs called for on the back of the package and you’ll have a very simple, easy vegan cake!

More Vegan Chocolate Cake

Sure, you love easy vegan chocolate cupcake recipes. I mean, who doesn’t? But it’s good to expand your horizons and try some new recipes too. Check these out:

Healthy Chocolate Cake

35 mins total

Vegan Chocolate Orange Cake

50 mins total

Chocolate Avocado Cake

40 mins total

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (9)

That’s it for these chocolate vegan cupcakes.

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (10)

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Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (11)

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (12)

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

These vegan chocolate cupcakes are so simple to make. You'll love the moist, delicious cupcakes, especially when topped with vegan buttercream frosting and sprinkles!

5 from 4 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 36 cupcakes

Calories: 116kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural, not dutch-process)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 1 ¾ cups cold water
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 batch Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Line two muffin pan compartments with cupcake papers, or spray each compartment with vegetable spray.

  • Combine in a large mixing bowl the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt baking soda, and cornstarch. Stir to combine.

  • In a smaller bowl, combine the vegetable oil, water, vinegar, and vanilla. Stir to combine.

  • Pour the water mixture into the flour mixture and gently fold until just combined. Do not overmix.

  • Pour the batter into prepared muffin tins. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

  • Allow the cupcakes to cool for about 2 to 3 minutes and then remove them from the cupcake pans. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.

Recommended Equipment

Muffin Pan

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

Make-Ahead Tips: After cupcakes are baked, cool them completely, and cover in an airtight container. They can be stored overnight at room temperature. You can also prepare the frosting the day before. I actually put it in the pastry bag, place that bag in a freezer bag, and then refrigerate it. Be sure to let it sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before frosting the cupcakes.

I find the batter for vegan cupcakes is best if it’s a little on the thick side. Runny batter will create cupcakes that are flat on the top. They’ll still taste fine! So, this batter will be a little thicker than a traditional cupcake batter.

Nutrition estimate is for the cupcakes without frosting.

Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes (2024)

FAQs

What was the missing ingredient in Izzy's cupcakes? ›

Izzie had trouble remembering the secret ingredient to her mother's cupcake recipe -- in fact, she needed a psychic to help her remember, if you recall. But now that she remembers what it is (coconut extract!), you should have trouble making the cupcakes yourself."

What are the ingredients in just desserts vegan chocolate cupcakes? ›

Ingredients: vegan granulated sugar, vegan powdered sugar, unbleached flour (wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, floic acid), water, canola oil, soy milk (filtered water, soybeans, salt, natural flavor, gellan gum, sunflower lecithin, gellan gum, natural flavor), unsweetened ...

What is the difference between a vegan cupcake and a regular cupcake? ›

Vegan cupcakes are animal product and dairy free. This means they contain no egg, butter, or dairy products. However, they do contain ingredients that are familiar to the baker such as flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, oil, and vanilla.

Why does Izzie bake? ›

Izzie Stevens bakes a large amount of muffins to deal with her grief. Guest star Chris O'Donnell's first film role was in the movie Men Don't Leave (1990) in which his mother, played by Jessica Lange, spends much of the movie baking muffins to deal with her grief.

What is the most expensive cupcake in the world? ›

Behold "The Golden Phoenix." Hailed as the world's most expensive cupcake, the pricey dessert costs a whopping £645 ($1,000) at Dubai's Bloomsbury's Cupcakes. Served on a covered Villari 24-carat gold empire cake stand, the cupcake is adorned with edible gold and chocolate.

Why are my vegan cupcakes gummy? ›

Dense/Gummy Cupcakes: This is likely due to overmixing the batter and forming too much gluten. It could also be due to expired baking powder/baking soda which are needed for the cupcakes to rise and become soft and fluffy.

Are vegan cupcakes healthier? ›

Are vegan cakes healthier than non-vegan cakes, you may ask? For the most part, not really; while the removal of butter can mean less saturated fat, the vegan friendly replacement, often cocoa butter, can be similar in saturated fat levels.

Why did my vegan cupcakes sink? ›

You used too much raising agent

This is probably the most common reason why vegan cakes sink in the middle.

Do vegan cupcakes go bad? ›

Vegan cakes tend to have a shorter shelf life than non-vegan ones. This isn't usually a problem as they are so scrummy they are eaten straight away! However, if you want to keep your cakes for a few days, unless the recipe says otherwise, store everything at room temperature.

Why are my vegan cupcakes not rising? ›

YOUR CAKE IS SINKING IN THE MIDDLE OR NOT RISING

You may not have used enough raising agents. I do recommend experimenting with double action baking powders. Otherwise try using 25 percent more chemical raising agents (baking soda or baking powder) if you're converting a recipe to gluten free.

Do vegan cupcakes need refrigeration? ›

Most vegan cupcakes have the exact same shelf life as traditional cupcakes. So if you leave them at room temperature in an air tight container or wrapped in plastic wrap (not refrigerated), they should last a couple days at most until they start to become noticeably stale. Good luck!

How do you keep vegan cupcakes fresh? ›

These cupcakes keep very well in a covered container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. They can also be frozen (frosted or unfrosted, but don't add any fresh strawberry decoration if you're freezing them) for up to 3 months.

Can vegan people eat cupcakes? ›

Yes, whether or not vegans eat cupcakes made with eggs depends on the individual's interpretation of veganism and their reasons for adopting this lifestyle. In general, traditional cupcakes contain eggs as a key ingredient, and this poses a dilemma for vegans who strictly avoid animal products.

What is a cupcake without frosting called? ›

Muffins never have frosting on them, so it's the quickest way to tell them apart from cupcakes. Then there's our red velvet cupcake, made with a cocoa and buttermilk sponge and topped with our signature cream cheese and lime juice frosting.

What happens to the losing teams cupcakes on Cupcake Wars? ›

Cupcake Wars

According to a Food Network rep, all ingredients that can be saved until the next episode's filming are saved, and the remaining 1,000 cupcakes are given to charitable organizations or eaten by “hardworking cast and crew.”

Was the guy in Grey's Anatomy psychic? ›

Mr. Duff was admitted to the hospital by his family after he claimed to be psychic. He said he talks to dead people and his family thought he was dangerous. After he was admitted, he had two seizures, so he had to be cleared by surgery before he could be returned to psych.

What was the old name of hostess cupcakes? ›

The Hostess CupCake was first sold on May 10, 1919. According to author Andrew F. Smith, it was the first commercially produced cupcake, originally produced by the Taggart Bakery as the Chocolate Cup Cake.

What is hostess cupcake filling made of? ›

Hostess cupcakes are a plastic wrapped, store bought treat consisting of a soft, chocolate cupcake with a marshmallow cream filling topped with a thin layer of chocolate ganache and finished off with a loopy vanilla icing.

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