Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes at Wedding, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Yield: 12 cupcakes

These gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free chocolate cupcakes are so good that you'd never know that they were alternative! Moist, rich, and scrumptious with just a hint of coffee flavor, you'll use this recipe as a springboard for a lot of other gluten-free chocolate cupcake variations. Use coconut milk in place of the coffee, use rum extract instead of vanilla, or even mix in a handful of chopped nuts to add variety to your cupcakes.

As with any recipe intended for persons with dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure to read the ingredients labels on all ingredients to make sure that there are no dairy-derived ingredients or ingredients unsafe for people on a gluten-free diet.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum

  • 1/2 cup warm coffee

  • 1/2 cup water

  • Egg replacer for 2 eggs, or 2 eggs

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, or canola oil

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips

  • 1 cup dark chocolate ganache

  • Shredded sweetened coconut, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.

  2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, white sugar, sea salt, baking powder, baking soda, and xanthan gum. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add in the warm coffee, water, Egg Replacer (or 2 eggs, alternatively), oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Use an electric hand mixer set on a medium speed setting and beat the ingredients for 2 full minutes until forming a smooth batter. Fold in the chocolate chips.

  3. Use a standard-sized ice cream scoop to portion the batter into each of the prepare cupcake liners. Smooth the tops with an off-set spatula and bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until done. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

  4. Prepare the Dark Chocolate Ganache, cover it with plastic wrap, and allow it to chill in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours. Once the cupcakes are cool, top them with the ganache and shredded sweetened coconut.

Recipe Variations

If dark chocolate ganache isn't your thing, here are a few more suggested vegan frostings that you'll love (make sure to check all of your ingredients, as always, if making for someone with allergies to dairy or gluten!):

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
231 Calories
9g Fat
34g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 231
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 32mg 11%
Sodium 293mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 147mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)