Name: Easy Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 56 min
Yield: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients: 220 g 1 3/4 cups plain (all purpose) flour; 160 g | 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp sugar; 30 g | 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 210 ml | 7/8 cup non dairy milk ((I used hazelnut)); 80 ml | 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste; 200 g | 7oz non-dairy chocolate or chocolate chips; 400 g | 14oz can full-fat coconut milk (use the solid coconut cream discarding liquid) ( or 200g | 7oz coconut cream ); 2 tbsp non-dairy spread; 60 ml | 1/4 cup WARM non dairy milk ((optional - use if ganache has set solid)); 2 tbsp agave syrup ((optional))

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Make these simple vegan chocolate cupcakes ONCE and they will become your go-to recipe! Intensely rich, moist and decadent topped with whisked vegan chocolate ganache frosting.

I guarantee that these chocolate cupcakes will become a favourite with family and friends, whether vegan or simply avoiding eggs and dairy. It is my most requested recipe whenever I bake for birthdays or bake sales and so easy the kids can make them.

Published July 2013, updated April 2019

**SIMPLY THE BEST CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES!**

Every baker needs a foolproof chocolate cupcake recipe – this has become mine. No one has ever suspected the cupcakes don’t contain any eggs or dairy!

Vegan baking can be a bit tricky sometimes, requiring special ingredients or egg substitutes. This recipe is SUPER EASY and you will only need common ingredients you already have in your pantry: flour, sugar, baking soda & powder, cocoa powder, your choice of non-dairy milk, oil, vanilla and a little vinegar.

All you have to do is combine your liquid ingredients, sift the dry ingredients over them and combine. No mixer is needed – child’s play, right? 😉

VEGAN CHOCOLATE GANACHE

You have a choice of vegan frostings when it comes to topping these cupcakes. You could even eat them plain, simply dusted with some icing sugar. Yes, they are that good!

But if you wanted to take these cupcakes to the NEXT LEVEL, consider topping them with vegan chocolate ganache. Vegan ganache is made with full fat coconut milk, non dairy chocolate and a little non-dairy spread. You could also add a little agave nectar for sweetness, though that is optional.

You can use vegan chocolate ganache in its liquid form to fill tarts such as this no-bake chocolate tart. Or you can let it set and then whisk it – it then becomes fluffy and perfect for piping over cakes and cupcakes.

How to make vegan chocolate cupcakes

STEP 1. Add the non dairy milk, oil, apple cider vinegar and vanilla paste (or extract) in a large bowl. Use a balloon whisk to combine.

STEP 2. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda over the bowl. Use the balloon whisk to combine until you have a glossy batter and no dry pockets remain. Make sure you scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as you mix.

STEP 3. Line a muffin tray with cupcake cases and divide the batter among them. You will get 12 small cupcakes or 6 large ones (using muffin cases). Bake in a 180°C (350°F) preheated oven until well risen – between 16-25 minutes depending on size. Cool before frosting.

Vegan ganache step by step

For best results use full fat canned coconut milk (not light or reduced fat) or coconut cream. Scoop out the solid cream to use in the ganache discarding most of the liquid.

The easiest way to separate the cream from liquid is to store the can upside down in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. You can also put in the freezer for 30 minutes if in a hurry!

STEP 1. Scoop out the full-fat coconut cream into a saucepan and heat until small bubbles appear around the edge of the pan. Do not boil! Pour the hot coconut milk over chopped non dairy chocolate (or chocolate chips) and leave to stand for 3-4 minutes.

STEP 2. Use a balloon whisk to gently stir the chocolate and coconut milk, starting from the centre of the bowl and slowly increasing the movement outwards. Try to keep the motions small, you don’t want to introduce air bubbles into your ganache. Stir in the non-dairy spread (I used Vitalite) and agave syrup if using. Leave the ganache to cool completely before whisking. If you are in a hurry you can put in the fridge (see tip below).

STEP 3. You will now need to beat the ganache – if it has set and hardened in the fridge then break it up with a fork and add a little warm non-dairy milk. Start beating using a hand mixer on low speed. Increase the speed, adding more milk if needed, until the frosting is fluffy and holds peaks.

Frosting your cupcakes

STEP 1. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the frosting over the cupcakes in a circular motion. You can use a small amount in a single layer or double up for a big chocolate hit – as I have done in the photos.

Step 2. Now you can add any decorations – sprinkles, chocolate shavings, fresh berries or even some chocolate sauce! Serve at room temperature.

Vegan chocolate cupcakes tips and FAQs

You can use your favourite non-dairy milk in this recipe. I prefer to use hazelnut or almond.
Make sure your baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and baking powder are not past their best-by date, especially if you don’t bake often.
I usually use vegetable oil in this recipe. Melted coconut oil can also be used.
Use natural cocoa powder, not processed or Dutch cocoa powder. Processed or Dutched cocoa powder is not acidic – you NEED the acid in the cocoa powder to help in the rising of the cupcakes.
The cupcakes can be prepared a day or two in advance and kept covered at room temperature. I usually put them in a cake or cupcake carrier box.
You can try an avocado chocolate frosting instead of the ganache. Alternatively a vegan buttercream frosting is also gorgeous and easy to make.
Replace the plain flour with a good gluten-free flour mix to make these cupcakes gluten free. They are naturally egg and dairy free, nut free if you use oat or soy milk.
Stick with full-fat coconut milk (in a can) or coconut cream – do not substitute with light – else the ganache will be too liquid. Store the can in the fridge or freezer so the liquid separates from the cream (or use coconut cream).
To create chocolate curls and shavings, use a potato peeler on a bar of non dairy chocolate.

Have you made my vegan chocolate cupcakes?

Post a photo on my Facebook page, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes. I can’t wait to see your take on it!