Chocolate zucchini cupcakes that are vegan, gluten free option, and healthy with hidden veggie zucchini. Small batch and with a deep chocolate flavor and devils food texture.
These chocolate zucchini cupcakes are healthy with hidden veggie zucchini and they have a deep chocolate flavor and devils food texture.
This chocolate zucchini cake recipe is vegan and uses wholesome ingredients and yet has perfect texture. And that involves a bit of magical science.
I call it the magic trifecta. So, do you want to know my magic trifecta? Sit down, and I'll tell you.
Do you remember an artificially-ingredient-ladened processed snack cake named "devil dogs"? They were super soft and deeply chocolate-y in a fake but delicious (haha!) sort of way.
Well, here is a cupcake with the SAME cake-y insides, only muccch healthier.
Not processed. No artificial ingredients. There is zucchini in the batter.
And the texture, oh. my. gosh. Melt in your mouth.
Like the softest devils food cake.
Well, I think you should just make them, don't you?
Okay, now I’ll explain the magic trifecta.
How to Make
This trifecta is based on science. Well, actually ALL baking is based on science but there is an extra bit of science (and perhaps magic?) going on here.
First of all, thanks to a neighbor's tip, I learned the first "fecta" (is that a word?) to create the magic trifecta. That is..drumrolll.......to not just curdle my milk with apple cider vinegar, but to add baking soda in it as well.
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This wild double-whammy science experiment does something incredible with the cupcake texture. Hello velvety soft and moist!
Next, I was super diligent about following expert bakers' advice to not mix the batter too long.
Finally, I turned the pan around half-way through baking because all ovens apparently are hotter in the back left. This ensured an even bake.
This recipe is for a modest small batch of cupcakes if you will, so double if you need more.
How Healthy Are These?
Yes, I know, it's all the rage to put zucchini and cauliflower in everything.
Well, it's a good rage! Let me tell you how healthy zucchini is.
This green summer vegetable is zero in fat and high in water and fiber.
It is full of essential nutrients such as vitamins B6, folate, C and K. My favorite though is how high it is in potassium, which is just such an essential mineral that people never get enough of..
Imagine eating a cake to get enough potassium to help your heart, sleep, joints and more. I'd say that's a win-win for me, you and the cake!
How to Store
These freeze well (at least a month) but they are so easy to make and so delicious warm, it's probably best to make them fresh.
And even though they are actually so delicious with nothing on top, you can also top it with my vegan dairy-free buttercream or your favorite icing, and a few vegan sprinkles and we have the perfect birthday cupcake. Hello, Georgetown Cupcake!
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📖 Recipe
Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- ½ cup almond milk
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ cup zucchini (1 small zucchini, boiled and pureed, see directions below)
- ¾ cup all purpose baking flour (or your favorite GF mix)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup cocoa powder Or cacao powder
- ½ cup organic cane sugar
- pinch of salt
Vanilla Icing (pictured)
- 2 cups vegan powdered sugar vegan means no bone-char
- ½ cup vegan butter room temperature, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3-5 tablespoon plant milk or amount needed to achieve desired texture
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Instructions
Prep
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with quality paper linings.
- Next, prep the zucchini. For optimum moisture, cook the zucchini before making a puree. Wash, chop (don't peel), and boil it for about 3-5 minutes. Drain the water and blend up the softened zucchini or use a food processor. It's best to get it to a smooth texture with few clumps.,
- Make the magic trifecta: In to a one-cup measuring cup, add the milk and ACV and allow that to sit for 10 minutes. Then add the baking soda to that. The vinegar reacts with baking soda and triggers carbon dioxide to lift the cake! Magic.
Make the cupcakes
- Now, we are ready to mix it up!! Add the milk-ACV-soda mixture to a bowl, to that add the remaining ingredients and mix until JUST combined.
- Spoon the mixed batter into cupcake cups, filling each cup about ¾ of the way.
- Put the pan in the oven, set to bake 15 minutes. However, after 6 minutes, quickly turn the pan around. This will ensure an even bake as the back of the oven is always hotter. Check them with a tester at around 15 minutes.
- Cool cupcakes 2 minutes in the pan; then 15 minutes out of the pan. Make sure they are completely cool before frosting.
Make Frosting
- Pour the powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. Chop butter into rough chunks, add to sugar and add in vanilla and 2 tablespoon of milk.Blend until creamy.Feel free to add more milk if you need to, to achieve the texture you want. To keep this frosting from hardening as it cools, soak a paper towel in water and cover the bowl completely with it and leave it on the kitchen counter. I still have to stir up the frosting for smoothness once it is cooled and ready to use.
- Pipe using a frosting bag and a 1M tip. In fact, I used the frosting piping system by Wilton.
Kim says
Hi there, these look incredible! Quick question, could you substitute all purpose flour for the GF flour?
Thank you!
Dee Dine says
Yes, Kim, I think Bob's Red Mill's Gluten-free Baking 1 to 1 would work.
Jeffrey says
I made these and the flavor was incredible. I would like to try these with a gluten free mix. Do you have a flour you recommend?
Dee Dine | Green Smoothie Gourmet says
Jeffrey, Bob's Red Mill's Gluten-free Baking 1 to 1 works well.
Marta Modesto says
I love these recipes, so easy to do. And I believe this will be perfect for my toddler because she is not a big fan of vegetables, hell the family isn't a fan of vegetables, I try to give them but it is so difficult. You made my life so much easier with these muffins, will have a go, that is for sure. Thank you!
Dee Dine | Green Smoothie Gourmet says
That's absolutely the best news ever Marta, thank you for telling me! Dee xx
Nadia says
Oh my Dee! These cupcakes look amazing! Would never have guessed they were healthy. And they contain a hidden veggie? Yum! 😀
Dee says
Thanks Nadia, I knew you'd love these!
Nisha / @rainbowplantlife says
These cupcakes are too cute, Dee! I can't believe there's zucchini hiding in these birthday cupcakes!
Elavegan says
I want to join your cupcake party, Dee! I love the fact that these zucchini cupcakes are vegan and gluten-free. Wonderful recipe! 🙂
Jess @choosingchia says
I can't believe how healthy all the ingredients are! They look absolutely perfect and delicious!
Debbie says
Jess! Thanks for stopping by my friend! So happy you like my zucchini cupcakes, and the sprinkles are vegan! Dee xx