Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
Easy to serve and even easier to eat, these individual-sized, chocolate-packed vegan treats are ideal for birthdays, office parties, potlucks, family gatherings, holidays, cheering up the neighbors - or, you know, snacks for you, every day of the week! Ideal for chocolate lovers who have a sweet tooth, but want plant-based treats, the dark chocolate in the frosting gives a nice texture, and the cakes themselves are not overly sweet.
For the cupcakes
1 ½ cups unsweetened soy milk
1 TB apple cider vinegar
2 ⅓ cups fine sugar
½ cup dairy-free butter spread
2 ½ cups sifted plain flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ cup cocoa powder
½ tsp instant coffee granules
½ tsp salt
For the topping
½ cup cocoa powder
4 cups icing sugar
½ cup dairy-free butter spread
½ cup unsweetened soy milk or other alternative milk
1 ½ bars grated Supplant dark chocolate
24 fresh strawberries for decoration
To make the 24 cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line cupcake tins with paper cupcake liners.
- Whisk together the soy milk and cider vinegar and set aside.
- Sift together flour, cocoa, and baking soda, then stir in coffee granules and salt.
- Cream together the sugar and butter alternative, then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir together until just combined.
- Divide mixture into cupcake liners and bake for 25 minutes, or until the cakes are springy to the touch.
- Leave to cool completely while you prepare the frosting.
To make the frosting:
- Blend cocoa powder, icing sugar, and butter spread together in a food processor.
- Gradually pour in the soy milk, with the processor running, until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Stir in ⅔ (equivalent to 1 bar) of the grated Supplant chocolate.
- Pipe the frosting around the edges of the cupcakes, leaving a well. Sprinkle grated chocolate around the frosting circles.
To complete the cupcakes:
- Melt the remaining ⅓ cup (equivalent to ½ bar) of grated Supplant dark chocolate over a bowl of hot water or in the microwave for 20 seconds or so.
- Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate then place carefully onto a plate to allow the chocolate to cool and solidify.
- Once ready, place one strawberry on top of each cupcake.
