When I first started to brainstorm what dessert I wanted to bring to this potluck, I knew I wanted to do something epic. Bigger and badder than the the rest. Something unique, something with an interesting ingredient, something with…beans. So that’s what I did. I made some black bean chocolate cupcakes with a peanut butter frosting, and they both failed so miserably. I salvaged the “cupcakes” and turned them into a brownie like mixture (waste NOT) but the frosting was toast. Into the garbage it went. Time to reevaluate.
I decided to go with a classic chocolate cake, and make a vanilla frosting. I’ve made vanilla frosting before with Earth Balance vegan butter and it was delicious. I didn’t have enough on hand and decided to test the Gods by using coconut oil instead. Mistake number two. I knew coconut oil with a vanilla frosting tasted like..well..coconut oil. I love coconut oil as much as the next vegan, but I don’t enjoy the flavor of it on it’s own. Frosting number two down the drain. I was starting to loose my patience, but I had to finish these.
Finally, I decided to top my classic chocolate cupcakes (which turned out GREAT) with a classic chocolate frosting. OH and a homemade PB cup. After a 9 mile run in the hot sun, and 3 hours of baking in a hot kitchen, I was more than willing to stick with a classic. I’ll get wild in my kitchen another time.
Classic Chocolate Cupcakes
For the cake:
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup raw sugar
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla
Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners. In a bowl whisk together the almond milk and the apple cider vinegar and set aside for a few minutes to allow to curdle. While you wait for the mixture to curdle, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl and set aside.
Once your mixture is curdled, pour in the sugar, melted coconut oil, and vanilla. Mix together until foamy. Once foamy slowly pour (in two batches) the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until there are no visible lumps. Evenly distribute the mix into 12 cupcake liners. The liners should be about 3/4 full. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
For the icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
I mentioned earlier that coconut oil does not work well with vanilla frosting. It does however work with the chocolate. The cocoa powder is strong enough to overtake the flavor of the coconut oil.
In a medium-large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, mix the powdered sugar with the coconut oil. Add the almond milk, cocoa powder and vanilla, and continue to mix until smooth.
For the PB cups I simply melted some chocolate chips and lined the bottom of a small cupcake liner. I stuck the base layer in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Then I put a layer of peanut butter (fresh ground works the best to bind the chocolate together) and put back into the freezer for 20 minutes. Lastly, I melted more chocolate chips and covered the top. No measurements with this, I just eyeballed. If you make too much…who am I kidding there could never be too much.
These cupcakes were shared by many, including Megan when we had our blogger meet up! Her birthday was two days after our meet up so I baked these for her to drown her sorrows in..she turned a quarter of a century! Kidding…
This post is one of many in a virtual potluck, to see more vegan treats visit the blogs before and after mine by clicking the buttons below.
Blissfulbritt 
80 thoughts on “Virtual Vegan Potluck: Classic Chocolate Cupcake”
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
Holy cow, these look incredible! Especially those peanut butter cups! I secretly (or not so secretly) just want to make and eat the peanut butter cups but I think it would get very very dangerous!
Lou
I’m ready and waiting for these to be delivered to my doorstep…. thanks in advance (OH ME GOLLY GEE YUM!!!!!)
The Healthy Flavor
You ALWAYS crack me up with your writing…genious writing. Oh, and fabulous cupcakes and frosting, oh my! Nothing wrong with classic…way better than beans. I am NOT A fan of the bean desserts…yuck..they’re beans, lol! These look sooo good!
Kierston @candyfit
These look incredible!
Luv What You Do
OMG my mouth is watering right now!
I love vegan cupcakes and vegan frosting is the BEST but the addition of the PB cup is genius!!!
Poppy
How adorable are those little PB cups?! Love them!
spectacuLAUR
PLEASE send me some cupcakes. UGH, those look so delicious and I love everything with coconut oil. I believe baking with beans is a BIG hit or miss. It’s either fantastic or absolutely horrible with no in-betweens. Keep running and eating cupcakes!
ahellams
Oh my goodness. I need this right now!! I especially want wait to just make the PB cups. There is no greater combination on earth than peanut butter and chocolate and I will probably fight anyone that argues this!!
Leesa D
Mmmmmm. We went to a bday party last night but sadly had to bring the kids home before they served cake. Perhaps I will have to make these for my disappointed daughter. Disappointment destroyed! 😉
Life After Swimming
You are amazing. Those look like perfection times a million. Come to the east coast, please!
kathy @ vodka and soda
yummy! i love making chocolate cupcakes!
Courtney
WOW these look so good! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Megan
Britt these cupcakes were amazing!! I signed up for the potluck and totally missed the email about the date of it and dropped the ball, wah. Your pictures make me so sad I had to leave 3 of these in Seattle!! Sarah is a lucky girl!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
YOU & YOUR CUPPY-CAKES need to get a ROOM!!! Stop displaying such graphic pornography on your blog! Ah ha ha!
PS: Totally just noticed your blog’s background change…
PSS: You need to be SURE to watch my video on Tuesday….. Put it in your calendar…
Brittany
I wouldn’t miss your Tuesday video for NOTHIN!
Nicole @ FruitnFitness
These look and sound great!
Choc Chip Uru
Ooft so chocolatey and delicious 🙂
Great recipe!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Haha! Oh girl… I completely lost it when you mentioned the beans. It was all leading up to something epic, and then… BEANS! 😆 Maybe it’s just because I can’t get into the whole beans-in-dessert thing, but yeah… thank you for the laugh 🙂 ANd for making me suitably hungry. Those cupcakes look ah-maze-ing.
An Unrefined Vegan
I reached your classic ‘cakes!! I’ll take four, please! I so need some stress-relieving chocolate! Thank you, dear, for participating in yet another crazy Potluck event!
An Unrefined Vegan
Girl, can you delete your Herbivorous Geek link? No-show. You’ll want to change it to: http://herbivoretriathlete.com/root-beer-float-cupcakes-vanilla-frosting/ Thanks!
Brittany
Done!
An Unrefined Vegan
Thanks!
Holly @ My Plant-Based Family
Chocolate Love! Yum! These look incredible Brittany!
sugarcoatedsheridan
Oh those look great! And great job on the 9 miles 🙂
cleaneatingveggiegirl
These look amazing, and I am seriously impressed by your frosting/decorating abilities. Nice work! 🙂
Britta
Drooling. actually drooooolingggg! these looks so friggen amazing!
sugarcoatedvegan
Chocolateeeeee!! Happy VVP~
– alexis
http://www.sugarcoatedvegan.com
jessielovestorun
Chocolate, with a peanut butter cup on top. Oh my heavens.. I’ll take an order, or two.. or heck three!!
annesturetucker
SO beautiful!! What else do you need in life apart from these and a cup of tea? 🙂
Richa
Awesome! that pb cup on top looks fab.. i love a delicious chocolate cupcake..
Ally
Am I too late?! Are there any left? They look delectable. I want one (or three!).
I have been experimenting with frosting and ganache for a chocolate cherry cupcake recipe. I’m going to try your frosting. Thanks.
🙂
tearoomdelights
Who wouldn’t want to bit into one of these? Magnificent!
Shira
These look amazing Britt! I am SO MAKING THEM. Perfection! xo
Erin
Umm YUM! I don’t like the flavor of coconut oil either, so as long as the cocoa powder covered it I would love these!
Emily
I think you’ve officially convinced me to give vegan baking a try.. these looks so professional, nicely done lady!
Khushboo Thadani (@KhushbooThadani)
Everything about this beanfree (thank goodness ;)) cupcake looks divineee…and that PB cub is just the icing on the cake- quite literally! YUM!
Becky Striepe
Those look great! I love the PB cups on top. Delicious!
Rach @ This Italian Family
These look great! Sorry your unique ones didn’t turn out as well, but sometimes a classic is just what you need! 🙂
sincerelylily
Yummmmmmy….. classic choco cupcake is the way to go. Looks like these were a hit with your taste buds…. in addition to the B and B, open a sweet bakery too.
Hannah
I cannot. believe. I’ve never put peanut butter cups on a cupcake! Doing that the very time chocolate cupcakes happen!!
missymiller
I’m pretty sure those things qualify as bad-azz, to be sure.
allieksmith
Oh. My. Yum. Your cupcakes look so good!
Treesa
I need to lick this frosting now. This is when virtual potlucks start to suck, ’cause you can’t just pick one off the plate and devour it. 🙂
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
Love the potluck idea. I’m going to go check out some of the other desserts! Nothing wrong with sticking to one of your specialty desserts, especially when you’re baking for others. 🙂 I’ve got to try those peanut butter cups. So easy and much healthier than Reeces! 😀
itsthecookiemonster
who knew vegan cupcakes could loook so goood! great job on the piping gurl!
Christina Does It All
OMG YUM! Those look incredible.
Ps: I first read this post as “Virtual Virgin Potluck.” I was very confused. 😛
The Servant
Reblogged this on Forty and beyond.
Ja @Ja on the RUN
I’d definitely go over your cupcakes first if I was there in your potluck party! 🙂
kadeecramer
eeeeee! I’m excited to make these!! 😀
Starr
Nothing wrong with a classic, especially when that classic is a chocolate cupcake! 🙂 Love your PB cup garnish.
Meredith
These are beautiful! Props to you for continuing to bake after a few mishaps. I probably would have thrown in the towel for the day. Now I have a serious chocolate craving!
Sophie33
Drooolworthu cupcakes! I love the great tasty frosting & those PB cookies in it too! 🙂 It all looks mouthwatering & very special too,..All vegan power!
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katalysthealth
Oh. My. Lanta. Woman I need these in my life TODAY~~ Good lord that frosting alone sounds stinkin incredible. Pinning this for sure!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Oh YUM. These look and sound soooooo good! I’d say it was a success, even if it wasn’t your original plan.
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because
I pretty much started drooling on my phone when I saw this IG photo. The combination of PB and chocolate is definitely proof of higher powers.
myhighonlife
here’s an even better idea… you come cook for me everyday. deal? deal. 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Wow! so I know you struggled with these, but the end result looks fantastic. I will take all of them please.
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
pinning this ish … my gosh. haha how about YOU bake for me? where did you get the cupcake holders? I can never find them. 😦
Brittany
AHH I wish I knew, I used whatever Aaron had at his house. They were his moms. I’ve seen fun ones at regular grocery stores though!
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
eee gotta look for it … I always need them. wahh haha
Melissa @ Mouthwatering Morsel
eee gotta look for it … I always need them. wahh haha
Mary
I wouldn’t worry about the failed attempts if that was your final result! Looking very yum! Please post out to the UK! 🙂
Somer
Mmmmm, those look totally perfect Britt!
Maggie Muggins
Ain’t nothing wrong with a classic! These look like some seriously chocolatey goodness. I want homemade peanut butter cups in my mouth right now!
Katie @ The Almost Vegan
Wow that icing looks amazing!!
The Almost Vegan
Oh my goodness that icing looks amazing!
Allison (Spontaneous Tomato)
These look delicious! (Although that black bean chocolate cupcake idea doesn’t sound bad either… I hope you get to finish perfecting that recipe sometime soon, too!) 🙂
spinachrevolution
This is a 2-for-the-price-of-one whopper of a treat. I love the cupcake and the PB cup is so clever. Thank you for the great recipe and the very clever use of the PB cup. Now I am going to get up and go make some PB cups.
sweetveg
These look spectacular, esp with the peanut butter cup. I LOVE classic desserts made vegan. Great addition to the potluck. Yum!
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miq
Oh. My. Gosh. I should not be looking at this before 11am…now all I want is a giant chocolate cupcake. I’d sell my soul and my firstborn for a giant chocolate cupcake right now…maybe not my firstborn, but definitely my soul.
Brittany
Bahaha these are seriously SOOO good. They are so versatile too, and I am planning on using the recipe to create another chocolate kind of cupcake soon. I just need more people to share with so I don’t EAT ALL OF THEM!
miq
I have a feeling we live in different states…otherwise I would so volunteer for that!
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