Chocolate cupcakes are an essential part of any diet, or at least they should be. When I decided to go vegan, I knew there were certain things I could never live without, and chocolate cupcakes are at the top of that list. Vegan baked goods get a bad rap. This is because many vegan treats try to be healthy as well as cruelty free. This means cutting out fat, sugar, and let’s face it, flavor, along with all animal products. This is totally unnecessary. I don’t eat baked goods for fiber and protein. I eat them for fun! I promise these cupcakes are compassionate and delicious. There have been so many achievements in the development of vegan-friendly foods that there is no reason to sacrifice on taste anymore. So next time you make chocolate cupcakes, give them a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Chocolate muffins
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 cup of cold water
Heat the oven to 350ยบ. Prepare cupcake liners with canola oil spray or cupcake liners. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add vanilla, oil, vinegar, and water, and stir until combined. Place the dough in prepared molds. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Alternatively this can be made into a cake. Simply bake in a 9″ round cake pan for 30 minutes. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Chocolate glaze
1/3 cup vegetable butter
2 cups sifted icing sugar
1/4 cup sifted cocoa powder
2/3 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons water or non-dairy milk (add more as needed)
In a stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Alternately add 1 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of water or milk while mixing. Add cocoa and vanilla and mix well. If the frosting is too dry, add more liquid. If it’s too thin, add more sugar. I like to scoop the frosting into a freezer bag, snip off one corner, and swirl onto the cupcakes.