• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Browse Recipes
    • Latest
    • By Category
  • Indian Vegan Recipes
  • SUBSCRIBE
Holy Cow Vegan
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Latest recipes
  • Browse by category
  • Indian Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ร—

    Home > Vegan Dessert Recipes > Vegan Cake Recipes

    Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream

    Posted: Dec 11, 2019 ยท Updated: Aug 19, 2021

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

    These vegan chocolate cupcakes with vegan chocolate buttercream need no selling. They're fluffy and pillowy and combined with the velvety frosting they'll send you into a deep chocolate coma you'll never want to wake up from. They're also soy-free and nut-free, so they're perfect for anyone, allergies or not.

    Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes on a white plate with chocolate buttercream and chocolate sprinkles

    I've been making, eating and feeding these vegan chocolate cupcakes for more than a decade now, and I wanted to bring them back to the front of the blog along with a recipe for a scrumptious and easy chocolate buttercream I usually top these cupcakes with.

    Vegan Chocolate Cupcake on a white plate with chocolate buttercream and chocolate sprinkles

    These are the cupcakes that I send with Jay for birthdays at school and for teacher appreciation days. These are the cupcakes I make for special friends. These are the cupcakes that have always won the hearts of anyone I feed them to, because they just are so good. Soft, pillowy, intensely chocolate-y, with a buttercream so delicious that after a bite you'll think you've died and gone to chocolate heaven.

    And they are so easy to make. Easy enough that you could teach a child to make them. Although you probably shouldn't or they will be eating chocolate cupcakes for every meal.

    Vegan cocoa cupcakes on a white plate

    Tips for making fabulous vegan chocolate cupcakes:

    • These are really so easy, you don't need a whole lot of tips. But if I had to ask you to pay attention to one thing, it would be to make sure that you sift all of the dry ingredients. This ensures your cupcake is lighter, and it also makes sure that there are no lumps of baking soda remaining in the flour that could ruin the batter.
    • Use a good quality cocoa powder or cacao powder. These are chocolate cupcakes, so you need to make sure that the chocolate flavor is true and awesome. I link to the kind I use from the recipe.
    • These cupcakes are soy-free, and although I use almond milk, you can make them nut-free by using any other nondairy milk.
    • For the buttercream, make sure your vegan butter is at room temperature.
    • You can make your frosting as sweet as you want it to be. I go with three cups of powdered sugar, which is sweet enough for me without being cloying, but if you have a sweeter tooth, use about 3 ยฝ to 4 cups. Taste as you go.
    • The cupcakes themselves are so awesome, I sometimes serve them without any frosting and with just a dusting of powdered sugar. And if you're on a health kick (around the holidays?) you can certainly do that, but they are really, truly divine with the buttercream.
    Four vegan chocolate cupcakes with mounds of vegan chocolate buttercream frosting on a white plate,

    Ingredients for the cupcakes and buttercream:

    • Unbleached all purpose flour
    • Baking soda
    • Baking powder
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
    • Almond milk
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Sugar (use cane or turbinado)
    • Pure vanilla extract
    • Vegetable oil
    • Vegan Butter
    A single vegan chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles

    Just made these and they are truly scrumptious! jumping up and down because I love chocolate and I love cupcakes!"

    -- Cheryl

    Four vegan chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting on a white plate with a single cupcake in the background and a lace napkin.

    Looking for more vegan cupcake recipes?

    • Vegan Mango Cupcakes with Mango Buttercream Frosting
    • Vegan Orange Cupcakes
    • Vegan Carrot Cupcakes
    • Vegan Lemon Cupcakes
    • Vegan Irish Cream Cupcakes
    • Also check out the ultimate vegan Chocolate Cake recipe.

    Cross section of a vegan chocolate cupcake on a white plate

    Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Vegan Chocolate Buttercream

    Soy-free | Nut-free

    Single chocolate cupcake, vegan, with swirly buttercream on a white plate with a multicolored cupcake liner and chocolate sprinkles
    Vegan Chocolate Cupcake with chocolate buttercream and chocolate sprinkles on a decorative white plate

    Vegan Chocolate Cupcake

    These vegan chocolate cupcakes with vegan chocolate buttercream need no selling. They're fluffy and pillowy and combined with the velvety frosting they'll send you into a deep chocolate coma you'll never want to wake up from.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American, nut-free, Soy-free, Vegan
    Diet: Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: Vegan Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
    Prep Time: 20 mins
    Cook Time: 18 mins
    Total Time: 38 mins
    Servings: 12 cupcakes
    Calories: 386kcal
    Author: Vaishali ยท Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes

    Ingredients 

    For the chocolate cupcakes:

    • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
    • โ…“ cup cocoa powder
    • ยพ teaspoon baking soda
    • ยฝ teaspoon baking powder
    • ยผ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (optional)
    • 1 cup nondairy milk (I used almond but any non-dairy milk is fine)
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • ยพ cup sugar
    • โ…“ cup vegetable oil
    • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    For the vegan chocolate buttercream:

    • 16 tablespoon vegan butter (2 sticks, at room temperature)
    • ยฝ cup cocoa powder
    • 3 cups powdered sugar (you can use more for more sweetness)
    • ยผ cup nondairy milk (I used almond but any nondairy milk is fine)
    • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Make the vegan chocolate cupcakes:

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • In a bowl, mix the almond milk and vinegar and set aside for a few minutes until it curdles.
    • Add the sugar, oil, vanilla extract and beat togeter until it turns frothy.
    • In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, coffee granules if using, and salt.
    • Add the cocoa-flour mixture to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing well until the mixture is fairly smooth. Don't overbeat. A few small lumps are fine.
    • Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. Pour the batter into each liner, about ยพ full.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
    • Cool on a rack for about 10 minutes. Then unmold the cupcakes and place them on the rack to cool thoroughly before frosting..

    Make the vegan buttercream:

    • Place the butter, soft and at room temperature, into a bowl. Add the milk and vanilla, cocoa powder and a cup of sugar. Whisk until thoroughly combined, then add more sugar and whisk again to mix, continuing until you've used up all three cups of sugar. This is best done in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or using a hand mixer.
    • Frost the cupcakes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 713IU | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a comment and recipe rating below!
    Follow Holy Cow Vegan on Instagram
    Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with vegan chocolate buttercream frosting

    When I first posted this recipe almost 11 years ago, I dedicated it to my resident chocolate cupcake, my dog Opie, who was quite possibly the most adorably headstrong dog I ever walked. Opie has since passed away, and as I rewrote this post, I could not bring myself to erase this essay about this very special baby of mine, who lives forever in my heart.

    Opie, a golden-chow mix


    Walking my dog Opie is like an adventure. You never know where it's going to take you, and you're lucky if you get back home on time and in one piece.Okay, I exaggerated just a little about coming home in one piece because so far I have, but the rest of it is absolutely true.

    When Opie was younger, we tried all we could to train him to walk like a "good dog." But for some reason- likely the fact that he is the most stubborn creature I've ever known - he refused to fall in line.

    Opie the dog looking up

    Although he walks at least twice a day, rain, shine, snow or ice, Opie treats every walk like it's his first one. He goes raring out the door, eager to chase down every squirrel, stare at every person he sees, and sniff hard at every calling card left in the grass by every dog in the neighborhood.

    Sometimes, he decides he wants to go a certain route. And arguing with Opie is not easy. If I walk in another direction than the one he's set his mind to, he will first bury his front feet in the ground, put his head down, and refuse to budge. His big, brown eyes meanwhile will make a frantic appeal, asking me to reconsider.

    If I insist, he'll just sit down.

    As you might have guessed, I usually give in.

    But although he might sound like a bit of a pain in the rear- and he certainly is a lot of the time- it is indeed hard to fight that kind of curiosity and vibrance. I am always awe-struck by how his enthusiasm never seems to wane.

    In freezing weather, as I plod with him through knee-deep snow, begging him to walk fast, he will plonk down on a smooth patch in a neighbor's lawn, turn on his side, and move vigorously back and forth to make a snow angel. Then he'll put down his ear to the ground, push up his playful butt, and go sliding through the snow, enjoying himself completely. Even though my fingers and toes are screaming for life by this time, I can't help but laugh.

    Some of you might wonder - as I am sure most of my neighbors do- why I don't work harder to make Opie behave as I want him to. Well, Opie's not a badly behaved dog. As a stranger delighted by his antics once remarked, very astutely, he just has a mind of his own.

    And I'm certainly not going to fight that.

    « The best Vegan Gluten Free Brownies
    Instant Pot Masoor Dal (Red Lentil Dahl) »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    About Vaishali


    Hi! I am so happy you're here. I'm Vaishali, and I've been sharing recipes for delicious vegan food at Holy Cow Vegan since 2007. Every one of the more than 1,000 recipes on this blog has been tried and tested -- and loved -- by my family and I. I hope you will find something here to share with your loved ones. Thanks for stopping by!
    Read more about me here.

    Try these recipes next

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicole Ordway

      April 20, 2020 at 9:00 pm

      5 stars
      This is an awesome chocolate cup cake recipe!! They tasted delicious, were super chocolaty even without frosting, perfectly moist and fluffy, and rose beautifully! Definitely a keeper and the only chocolate cupcake recipe Iโ€™ll use from now on, and I have tried 10+ recipes. Thank you!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    2. Judy

      December 11, 2019 at 12:50 pm

      You had me at "chocolate." Can't wait to try these. Hugs to Opie!

      Reply
    3. Cheryl

      March 08, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      5 stars
      Just made these and they are truly scrumptious! jumping up and down because I love chocolate and I love cupcakes! Thank you! Can't wait to try your recipe for peanut butter frosting next!

      Reply
    4. Supriya

      January 14, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      wonderful recipe, can i use cow milk? do you think that will work the same way?

      Reply
      • Vaishali

        January 14, 2014 at 10:51 pm

        Supriya, yes, but almond milk or soy milk are healthier options.

        Reply
    5. Anonymous

      February 15, 2013 at 10:39 pm

      great story! I feel your pain, I have three dogs with minds of their own. They are the spark plugs of our household.

      Reply
    6. HollyFonda

      January 20, 2013 at 7:32 pm

      This recipe looks wonderful, but I had a quick question before I try it...the soy or almond milk - should it be the unsweetened or the original? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Vaishali Honawar

        January 21, 2013 at 9:45 pm

        Holly, I use sweetened because that's what I usually have on hand. Unsweetened would be fine-- the sugar in the nondairy milk is not significantly enough to make a taste difference.

        Reply
    7. SS

      May 25, 2012 at 7:08 pm

      I enjoyed reading about Opie. What a character!

      These cupcakes look delicious. I will be making them now for my kids who are chocoholic :).

      Reply
    8. Vaishali

      December 13, 2011 at 4:51 pm

      Anonymous, it will look curdled-- the solids will lump up a little.

      Reply
    9. Anonymous

      November 29, 2010 at 5:14 am

      I'm making these tomorrow in food technology, so I need to know what would it look like when it curdles?

      Reply
    10. Anonymous

      October 20, 2010 at 6:29 am

      5 stars
      I made these last night and they are indeed VERY moist and light! Great texture and flavor. This will be my go to for chocolate cupcakes. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        December 11, 2019 at 12:15 pm

        Can I use flour substitution because I have celiac?

        Reply
    11. Anonymous

      September 24, 2010 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      I made these cupcakes last night for my family. I altered them a bit by adding 1/3 of a cup of chocolate chips and a little extra cocoa. I also added the cream cheese icing from the Carrot cake (also a must try)and I have to say, these cupcakes are so moist and delish. Omg! better than any store bought cupcake I have ever had. Please try these. You won't regret it!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Vaishali Honawar, Holy Cow Vegan author, profile photo

    Hi, I'm Vaishali! I cook, eat and share easy, tasty and nutritious plant-based recipes from my Washington, D.C. kitchen, but I never fight a craving for samosas or French fries. 

    More about me โ†’

    Trending recipes

    • Vegan Picadillo Tacos
    • Vegan Zucchini Pasta
    • Chickpea Rice
    • Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
    • Mexican Tofu with Apricots, Chipotle and Tamarind
    • Vegan Swedish Meatballs

    How to make

    • Dosa Recipe | How to Make Perfect Dosai at Home
    • Easy Mushroom Stock
    • Sambar Powder (Sambar Masala)
    • Roti recipe. How to make the softest Roti/Chapati (step by step with video)
    • Healthy Whole Wheat Vegan Puff Pastry (1/2 the fat)
    • Easy Indian Curry Paste for Restaurant-Style Dishes
    • Vegan Mayo
    • How to Make Curry Powder
    Vaishali Honawar, Holy Cow Vegan author, profile photo

    Hi, I'm Vaishali! I cook, eat and share easy, tasty and nutritious plant-based recipes from my Washington, D.C. kitchen, but I never fight a craving for samosas or French fries. 

    More about me โ†’

    Trending recipes

    • Vegan Muffaletta Casserole
    • Cheezy Vegan Mexican Black Bean Casserole
    • Vegan Indian-Spiced Tofu Casserole
    • Lentil Soup
    • Cauliflower Rice Biryani (Keto + Vegan)
    • Easy Vegetable Curry (One-pot, 30 minutes)

    How to make

    • Vegan Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Air Fryer Tofu
    • Ginger Garlic Paste for Indian Recipes | How to make and store it
    • Garam Masala Recipe
    • How to Make a Sourdough Starter (Easy Step by Step Guide)
    • How to make sauerkraut
    • Gluten Free Sourdough Starter
    • Homemade Biryani Masala Spice Mix

    Footer


    ABOUT HOLYCOWVEGAN

    All Recipes
    Recipe Videos
    About Vaishali
    Privacy Policy

    VEGAN INDIAN RECIPES

    Vegan Dal or Dahl Recipes
    Vegan Curry Recipes
    Indian Vegan Desserts

    VEGAN BAKING RECIPES

    Vegan Bread Recipes
    Vegan Sourdough Recipes
    Vegan Cake Recipes
    Vegan Pie Recipes
    Vegan Cookie Recipes


    As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full disclosure here.

    ยฉ 2022 Holy Cow Vegan