These vegan chocolate cupcakes are a healthier dessert. The avocado icing is so rich and yummy you'll want to eat it by the spoonful!
It’s my birthday and I baked myself a cake. Actually, cupcakes… and technically I baked them last night so I could make this little b-day post today.
I’m thirty-four today (ouch, that hurts to type).
It’s the age that you start to forget what age you are… the age when you realize how silly you were when you felt old at 28. And it’s the age that you have to start taking really good notes because you just can’t keep “it all” in your head anymore.
They say avocados and chocolate are brain foods right? (I don’t know who says, but it seems like something I might have read somewhere). I know it sounds weird and maybe a little gross to put them together but it actually works to make really thick and rich chocolatey frosting.
But here’s a tip – don’t let your husband watch you put the green stuff into the blender. Of any recipe I’ve made, this was perhaps the one he was doubting the most. But, of course, he loved it in the end.
chocolate cupcakes & avocado icing
- 1¼ cups spelt flour (or blend of white/wheat)
- ¾ cup agave syrup
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 very ripe avocados
- ¼ cup chopped baking chocolate (around 65% cacao)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup agave
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup almond milk
- pinch of salt
- Make the cupcakes: Mix the wet ingredients, mix the dry ingredients, mix together and bake for 15-18 minutes at 325 degrees. These are best if you under bake them slightly (since there's not very much oil in the recipe).
- Make the frosting: Melt the baking chocolate in the microwave (careful not to burn it). Let it cool slightly. In a food processor mix all ingredients together. Taste and adjust. Let chill in the fridge for at least 15 or so minutes.
cupcakes adapted from The Skinnygirl Dish
frosting adapted from Giada De Laurentis’ Avocado Mousse
Happy Birthday! I love making my own cake, that way I get just what I want!
I love love love these cupcakes. I used avocado before to make a raw chocolate ganache cake and it was the best chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten! These cupcakes are definitely on my to-do list!
Happy birthday! Those cupcakes look lovely!
Happy birthday Jeanine!
Wishing you lots of happy moments, smiles and health!
P.S. I reached 35 last year, so I know how you feel :)))
Happiest of birthday wishes to you! Here’s to one more year of avocados and chocolate. 😉
Happy birthday! That is so funny, I am 28 and I thought I was 27 for an entire year. I am already losing track! I need this kinda brain food! Where can I find spelt flour?
so weird, I did that from 27 to 28 too :). You can get spelt flour in the bulk bins at whole foods (or in the health food section of higher end grocery stores). But feel free to use all purpose or half whole wheat, I just happen to keep spelt on hand.
Happy Birthday Jeanine!!! I must admit this sounds a little crazy, which makes me want to try it even more 🙂
I know, it sounded crazy to me too which totally intrigued me as well 🙂
#1- Happpppy Birthday lovely!!! xo I hope you enjoyed your day and at least 5 cupcakes. #2 – I got overly excited when I saw chocolate cupcakes pop up on your blog. #3 – I adore chocolate avocado mousse and love the idea of sweetening it up a bit to use as frosting.
well I had 2 (well 3) today… just finished the last of them off…
Feliz Cumpleaños! I hope you had a lovely day surrounded by good food! Those cupcakes look like you kicked off the celebration on the right foot 🙂
Hi Claudia, thanks! Yes, I cooked us a nice dinner, nothing fancy 🙂
Happiest birthday! These look delish. PS Typing thirty-eight on my birthday last week may have hurt to type a little more. Ouch! 🙂
Hi Amber, so glad you understand 🙂
Happy Birthday Jeanine! I was just thinking about making cupcakes for MY 34th coming up in a few months. These are right up my alley. Thanks for the inspiration and the reminder (as I, too, have to write everything down these days).
Thanks Elizabeth – the worst is that I keep forgetting that I will forget things 🙂
I adore your blog! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Thanks Natasha, I adore your blog too 🙂
Happy Birthday, Jeanine!! (From Alex and I!) Hope your birthday is wonderful! I love avocado frosting – I have been meaning to try it out in our kitchen, but hadn’t yet gone around to it. Looks wonderful 🙂 Have a special day!
thanks Sonja! Hope you like it!
Those look too darn good to be vegan! Yum. 🙂
Hi Leah, thx! … I usually have problems making vegan baked goods look super pretty (even if they taste really good!). But I’m by no means an expert on vegan baking 🙂
Sounds like this could just be a keeper! I recently found agave with maple (real) added. That might be a nice touch for the icing 🙂
Hi Mary Ann, sounds good, I think even pure maple would work here for the sweetness (since it’s the avocado that really creates the texture). Hope you try & like!
Happy birthday! The frosting looks great!
Wishing you a truly wonderful birthday!
I am excited to try the frosting out. I’m intrigued! Looks delicious!
Many happy returns Jeanine, I hope you have a wonderful day of celebrations. These cupcakes look like an admirable way to mark the occasion – I’m always on the look out for healthier frosting options too so I can’t wait to try this!
I’m super big into vegan cupcakes and desserts right now. These look delish!
Happy day and happy year to you! My birthday is coming up this weekend, and I’m looking forward to a bit of celebrating myself. (: I’ve heard much of avocado in desserts and have probably tried a few, but I’ve not yet made anything myself. I ought to amend that soon!