Vegan Gluten-free Chocolate Cupcakes
Who can resist a chocolate cupcake? Well, maybe if you were trying to look after your health or lose weight you might resist the urge to reach out for one.
But…
What if I told you I have a chocolate cupcake recipe that is grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, high in protein, high in fibre and packed full of minerals and vitamins, would you believe me? Oh, and did I mention they taste AMAZING!
The main ingredient is…
wait for it…
BEANS!
Whoever came up with the idea of using beans in baked goods is a genius! Beans are amazing. They’re full of fibre, slow releasing carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and their consumption is associated with protecting against so many preventable chronic diseases from type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer! They really are so underrated in my opinion.
To sweeten these vegan gluten-free chocolate cupcakes, I’m using some dates. You can’t beat dates as a sweetener. They are by far the best way to sweeten desserts. Packed with fibre, minerals and vitamins. No sugar-free alternative even comes close to the amazingness that is the humble date.
Instead of using oil, I added in some natural, unsweetened almond butter for extra protein, fibre and nutrients.
For me, these cupcakes taste sweet enough for my liking, but I understand that many like their sweet treats to be super sweet, so if you’re one of those people, you always have the option of adding in some extra sweetener like maple syrup, stevia or xylitol.
To top it all off, I created a simple chocolate cashew frosting using only 3 main ingredients – cashews, cocoa and milk!
Vegan Gluten-free Chocolate Cupcakes
Makes – 12
- 1 cup (140g) dates
- 1.5 cups (225g) cooked black beans
- 1/3 cups (40g) cocoa/cacao powder
- 1/3 cup (80ml) milk (I used unsweetened almond milk but any type will work)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) almond butter
- For the frosting – use 1/2 of my chocolate cashew frosting recipe (recipe below)
- 2 cups (240g) raw unsalted cashews, soaked for at least 8 hours
- 4 tbsp cocoa/cacao powder
- 1/2 cup (100ml) milk (ant type will work)
- Maple syrup to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- To make the cupcakes – preheat your oven to 180*C (160*C fan assisted)/ 350*F.
- If your dates are not soft, place them in a bowl and soak them in hot water for around 10 minutes to soften.
- Add the dates to your food processor and blend to break up the dates.
- Add in the black beans and milk then continue blending. You may have to stop and scrap down the sides between blending to help the process along.
- Add in the the rest of the ingredients and continue blending until you have a smooth batter.
- Scoop equal amounts of the batter into cupcake cases.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Leave to cool completely before frosting.
- Drain and rinse your soaked cashews.
- Add to your food processor/high powered blender along with the rest of the frosting ingredients. Blend until smooth.
- Use a piping bag to frost your cupcakes.
- Enjoy!
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I keep meaning to try using black beans in baked goodies! And then I always forget! haha These sound delicious! And that last shot of the frosting is gorgeous!!
Thank you Ashley. I would highly recommend you give them a try 😀
Black beans recipes are awesome, and the baked ones are even more good. They look stunning! Anything with chocolate is big YES. I’m glad you posted this, Nadia! Can’t wait to give them a try.
Thank you Anu 🙂 I love black beans too! Both in sweet or savoury recipes 😀
These look amazing! But, I have tried making black bean brownies before and they just didn’t taste right. I am going to try these, as I really want to like black bean desserts.
The dates make them taste sweet and give them a lovely fudgy texture 🙂 I used dried beans that I soaked and cooked. Canned beans may taste stronger because of the added salt. It’s definitely worth giving black bean another chance 😉
What a great idea using black beans! These definitely tick all the boxes!
Thank you 😀
Mmm these look great – I love the idea of using black beans. I keep meaning to use beans more in my baking. I started the week trying to cut down my refined sugar intake and have failed miserably. Perhaps I need to give these a go. That cashew frosting sounds incredible too.
Thank you Helen 🙂 Beans are incredible and so versatile! I’m also trying to reduce the amount of processed sugars and sweeteners I use. Experimenting with dates a lot recently and so far so good 😀
Black bean cupcakes?! SIGN ME UP GIRL! I love all of the ingredients in this recipe and the way you decorated them!
Thank you Cassie 😀 I’m really pleased with the way they turned out 🙂
These look amazing! Two of my favourite savoury ingredients are black beans and cashews, so I’m sure I’d love these!
I love using ‘real’ foods in desserts. I know black beans are usually associated with savoury dishes but they really do work well in baked goods 😀 Beans are so underrated in terms of their health benefits, so the more I can get into my diet the better 🙂
These cupcakes are so pretty, Nadia! I love the chocolate cashew frosting. Sounds perfect for my cupcake-loving self!
These look extremely cute and delicious, Nadia!
Pinned, have to make them soonish 🙂
I always look at your photos and think YUM! then look at the ingredients and think HOW??? How are they always so healthy yet look this good? Love these!
I want to make these tonight for my birthday that is tomorrow. I just want to clarify do I add half a cup of the frosting into the batter to be cooked in the oven? Thanks!
Also, I was wondering what did you use for the green sprinkles on yours? I want to make these tonight for my birthday that is tomorrow. I just want to clarify do I add half a cup of the frosting into the batter to be cooked in the oven? Thanks!
Hi Cindy. Aw happy birthday! 😀
No, you don’t add any of the frosting in the batter. The frosting is just for piping onto the cupcakes. The green sprinkles are chopped pistachios 🙂
What is the calorie count without the frosting? Thank you!
Ummm… these came out dense and small and so obviously healthy. I only got 11 small cakes. Where did I go wrong and why is there no raising agents in the recipe?