Recipe: Vegan Choc-Orange Cupcakes

I love baking. If there’s ever a fundraiser or celebration morning or afternoon tea at work I’m the one that will show up with baked goods – with cupcakes generally my go to. So much so that I now have a cupcake stand that permanently lives on my work desk.

Since discovering the ‘Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World’ cookbook I do most of my cupcake baking vegan. I find they always turn out moist, fluffy and full of flavour. One of my favourite parts about that cookbook is it provides a fool-proof base which I can play from to make whatever combination of flavours I feel like making, and I’m yet to have any turn out badly! Today’s flavour is chocolate-orange with an orange buttercream icing (and some bonus orange sprinkles)

Ingredients List

For the Cupcakes

  • 3/4 cup non-dairy milk (I use almond)
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 1.5 tsp orange essence
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • salt

For the Icing

  • 1/2 cup non-dairy margarine (I use nuttlex)
  • orange juice
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 1tsp orange essence
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence

IMG_1299

IMG_1304

Steps

For the Cupcakes

  1. Preheat your oven to 350F 
  2. Whisk together the milk, vinegar and orange juice and set aside for a few minutes to slightly curdle
  3. Add the sugar, oil and extracts and mix together until foamy
  4. Sift in flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt and mix until no large lumps remain
  5. Pour into patty-pans and bake for 18-20 minutes
  6. Leave to cool while you prepare the icing

For the Icing

  1. Put the margarine in a bowl and cream with electric beaters 
  2. Add the icing sugar in 1/2 cup batches, with a splash of orange juice each time
  3. Add the essences and beat until smooth and fluffy
  4. Spread the icing on the cupcakes when completely cool and top with sprinkles
  5. Enjoy!

IMG_1309

What’s your favourite cupcake combination? Have you tried baking vegan before?

8 Comments on Recipe: Vegan Choc-Orange Cupcakes

  1. Kimberley - Dream. Delight. Inspire.
    February 25, 2013 at 12:03 pm (11 years ago)

    I am experimenting more and more with vegan recipes and this one looks delicious! Definitely going to try these out – thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      February 25, 2013 at 9:51 pm (11 years ago)

      If you like baking I definitely recommend that cupcake book and they have a cookie one which is great too. I think they did a vegan pie book as well but I haven’t got my hands on it yet. The recipes are all great and the basic versions give you lots of varieties to play with.
      Let me know if you give them a try!

      Reply
  2. Veggie Mama
    February 25, 2013 at 6:17 pm (11 years ago)

    I have made these! I did choc-cherry. So delicious!

    Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      February 25, 2013 at 9:52 pm (11 years ago)

      Ooh they sound good! I’ve done the choc-oreo ones a few times – they are always winners at gatherings!
      Thanks for hosting the link-up, I’ve found so many great blogs my recipe to-try list is getting longer and longer!

      Reply
  3. Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian
    February 26, 2013 at 12:33 am (11 years ago)

    Yuuuuuuum, these look beautiful! I always wanted a cupcake co-worker. Your lucky colleagues!

    Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      February 26, 2013 at 9:32 pm (11 years ago)

      Most of these got eaten by my housemates so I’m pretty popular at home right now! How are you going with all the veggies?!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      February 26, 2013 at 9:35 pm (11 years ago)

      Yeah, I think it helps offset the rich chocolate cake and keeps the whole thing from tipping into the sickly sweet territory. Balance is key!
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

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

CommentLuv badge