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Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

3.30 from 57 votes
These moist and fluffy cupcakes are easy to make and oh-so-delicious!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 16 cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cupcakes:
  • 1 cup soy milk (or another thick nondairy milk)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups flour measured correctly*
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup warm water
For the frosting:
  • 1/2 cup vegan buttery sticks
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1+ tbsp nondairy milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cupcake pans with ~18 cupcake liners.
  2. Whisk the soy milk and vinegar together and let sit for about 10-15 minutes.
  3. In the meantime, in a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda & powder, and salt.
  4. Add the milk mixture, oil, and vanilla to the dry mixture. Mix just until combined.
  5. Add in the warm water and mix until the batter is smooth and silky.
  6. Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each up ~3/4 of the way.
  7. Bake for 16-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean or with just crumbs on it (don’t overcook or they turn out dry).
  8. For the buttercream, add the vegan butter to a mixing bowl. Beat for a couple minutes, until fluffy.
  9. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and cocoa powder and beat until combined.
  10. Add 1 tbsp milk and vanilla continue to beat. Add more milk, as necessary, until you reach the desired consistency. If the frosting gets too liquidy, add more powdered sugar. You want a smooth but firm consistency.
  11. Once the cupcakes are cooled**, spread or pipe the frosting (we prefer a Wilton 2D tip). Keep plain or add any toppings you’d like!

Notes

*Measure your flour using this method.
**You can also stuff the cupcakes at this point. Create a small hole in the center of the cupcake and stuff with preferred filling, like our no bake cookie dough.