Easy Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)

Name: Easy Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12 (Cupcakes)
Ingredients: 1/4 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/4 cup avocado oil; 1/2 cup maple syrup; 1 Tbsp vanilla extract; 2 cups almond flour; 3/4 cup potato starch*; 1/3 cup cornstarch*; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp sea salt; Classic buttercream frosting; Vegan chocolate ganache frosting; Date-sweetened chocolate frosting; Vegan strawberry frosting; Coconut whipped cream

User Reviews

4.5

114 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings
12 (Cupcakes)
Calories
243 kcal
Course
Dessert
Cuisine
Vegan

Easy Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)

Valerie Marks

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Perfectly fluffy vanilla cupcakes that happen to be vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Just 1 bowl and 10 ingredients required!

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Ingredients

Servings

CUPCAKES

1/4 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk (we used almond milk)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup avocado oil (or other neutral oil)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 cups almond flour (the closest sub would be cashew flour, or a mix of coconut flour and a GF blend, but we haven't tested it this way and can't promise good results!)
3/4 cup potato starch* (not potato flour)
1/3 cup cornstarch*
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sea salt

FROSTING optional

Classic buttercream frosting
Vegan chocolate ganache frosting
Date-sweetened chocolate frosting
Vegan strawberry frosting
Coconut whipped cream

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line a standard-size muffin tin with cupcake liners (we prefer these ones). Cupcake liners are preferable over greasing the pan because they prevent the sides from browning too much and yield a prettier result. But in a pinch, lightly grease instead.
To a large mixing bowl, add dairy-free milk, applesauce, avocado oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and whisk to combine.
Add almond flour, potato starch, cornstarch, baking powder, and sea salt and whisk again until well incorporated and no lumps remain. The texture should be thick and look similar to cornbread batter (see photo). If too thick, thin with a little more dairy-free milk. If too thin, add a little more almond flour.
Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners filling a generous 3/4 of the way full. Recipe as written makes 12 cupcakes.
Bake on the center rack for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, they are golden brown on the very edges, the tops appear dry, and they spring back a bit when touched or pressed (rather than deflating). It’s better to slightly over-bake than under-bake these cupcakes to avoid gumminess.
Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack to let cool completely.
Once cooled, option to top with frosting of choice. These subtly sweet cupcakes pair nicely with a sweeter frosting such as our classic buttercream frosting, vegan chocolate ganache frosting, date-sweetened chocolate frosting or vegan strawberry frosting. For a lighter option, try lightly-sweetened coconut whipped cream and fresh berries.
Best when enjoyed within the first 24-48 hours after baking. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 1-2 days or in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 1 month.

Notes

*We did not test other starches, but in place of potato starch, a blend of coconut flour and arrowroot starch may work. Or possibly oat flour. *In place of cornstarch, arrowroot may work.*If not gluten-free, you can try subbing ~1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour in place of the almond flour, potato starch, and cornstarch.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without frosting.

Nutrition Information

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Serving 1cupcake Calories 243 (12%) Carbohydrates 27.1g (9%) Protein 3.9g (8%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 1.2g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g Monounsaturated Fat 9.2g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 284mg (12%) Potassium 183mg (5%) Fiber 2.2g (9%) Sugar 9.9g (20%) Vitamin A 3.8IU (0%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 116mg (12%) Iron 0.8mg (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12(Cupcakes)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 243 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1cupcake
Calories	243	12%
Carbohydrates	27.1g	9%
Protein	3.9g	8%
Fat	14g	22%
Saturated Fat	1.2g	6%
Polyunsaturated Fat	2.9g	17%
Monounsaturated Fat	9.2g	46%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	284mg	12%
Potassium	183mg	4%
Fiber	2.2g	9%
Sugar	9.9g	20%
Vitamin A	3.8IU	0%
Vitamin C	0.1mg	0%
Calcium	116mg	12%
Iron	0.8mg	4%