Chocolate and zucchini is a wonderful combination. I have tried this combo in the chocolate zucchini bread and chocolate zucchini cake recipe. I had some leftover zucchini after I made a huge batch of curried zucchini soup. That's when I got this idea of using shredded zucchini instead of apples in this vegan cocoa apple cake recipe. The result was delicious and moist cupcakes. Throw in some vegan chocolate chips to make it even more "chocolaty".
If you tried this Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
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Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 and ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice milk
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add Ons:
- 1 cup zucchini (shredded)
Substitutions:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C for 15 minutes. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it with non-stick cooking spray. In a liquid measuring mug combine together the milk and vinegar. Let is stand for about 5 minutes or until it curdles.
- In a large bowl stir together the measured dry ingredients and make a well.
- Now add the curdled milk mixture and the rest of the wet ingredients one by one and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the shredded zucchini too.
- Divide the batter among 12 cavities of the prepared muffin tin and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Mine was done after 16 minutes itself.
- Remove the pan from the oven and cool it on a wire rack for about 5 minutes after which pop out the cupcakes from the tin. Cool it completely on the wire rack before you can frost it.
My Notes
- This recipe can also be baked as an 8-inch round or square cake. The baking time would be about 25-30 minutes in that case.
- Grated apples, carrots and beets too can be used instead of the zucchini.
- I use Spectrum brand's organic, expeller pressed and refined coconut oil. It does not have the coconut flavor and so does not make the baked goods smell and tasty "coconutty".
- I have used unsweetened applesauce here as a fat substitute. Check my homemade applesauce recipe or use oil instead of that. Mashed banana is a good substitute too. Since we are just using 2 tablespoons, I'm sure that it's not going to lend its flavor to the cake.
Taste & Texture
- The whole wheat pastry flour I used in this cupcake recipe gave it a nutty flavor and texture. If you are looking to make this recipe for birthdays and special occasions like such, I would recommend using all purpose flour. Also you might want to increase the quantity of sugar by another 2-3 tablespoons if you are not going to frost it. We were fine with the ¾th cup of sugar but people with sweet tooth might feel that the cupcakes are not sweet enough.
CT_STYLE says
Hi Can I use rice flour and just water for the wet ingredient instead? If so which quantities of each for this recipe?
Madhuram says
No it doesn't work. You can use any other milk that you have in hand.
Nicole says
Thanks so much for the great recipe!! I made it tonight as a square cake and added a simple chocolate glaze. It tasted amazing - my 7 year old doesn't lie!! I also added mini chocolate chips. 🙂 I've added it to my recipe box and will make it again. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Madhuram says
You're very welcome Nicole. Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
Luna says
I've already made these cupcakes twice and making them a third time for a friend who's interested in veganism. Thank you for all of the recipes. 🙂
Madhuram says
You're very welcome Luna.
Diana says
Yummy and easy. Substituted applesauce with pureed banana (out of applesauce) and added chopped walnuts and dairy free chocolate chips.
Madhuram says
Thanks for the feedback Diana.
Dorie LaRue says
Mmmmm....I used half a cup of applesauce and a very small banana instead of 2 T applesauce and coconut oil. And stevia instead of sugar. Where is the recipe for curried zucchini? 🙂
Madhuram says
Thanks Dorie. That's in my other blog. http://www.vegcorner.com/zesty-zucchini-soup-recipe/
Ana says
My first vegan chocolate zucchini cupcakes . " Deliciosos "!!! Thanks this so easy and delicious recipe
Madhuram says
You're very welcome Ana.
Sarah says
These are the best chocolate zucchini cupcakes. I make them regularly and everyone loves them. 🙂
Madhuram says
Thanks Sarah. 🙂
Sheetu says
I made the non-vegan version of this recipe and baked it as a cake instead of cupcakes. It was delicious. Super moist. Have already tried the cake twice and shared with a friend's family and with lil ones at my daughter's day care. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Madhuram says
That's great. I'm glad everybody liked it.
Rae says
Hi, for the zucchini do you keep the juice and add this to the mix?
Thanks Rae
Madhuram says
Yes simply grate it and add it...don't need to retain the water.
cjjohn says
I'm here because I just did a Google search to find a healthier alternative to the slice of chocolate-zucchini bread my husband just brought to me. It was an awesome bit of delicious, but I know it was made with all the wrong ingredients. So I came in search of a possible alternative recipe, more in style with my dietary needs at the moment.
I will be making these cupcakes, thank you so much for sharing this recipe!!
I wonder if herbs can be added to this recipe.
Madhuram says
Oh! do try it and I'm sure you will like it. What sort of herbs are we talking about? Just be sure that it doesn't overpower the taste/flavor of the cupcakes.
Jeya says
Absolutely delicious cupcakes. Very moist. Thanks for the recipe. I used regular milk, canola oil and grated green apple.
Madhuram says
You're welcome Jeya.
Adi says
Do kids taste the zucchini or is it a treat for adults
Madhuram says
Neither kids nor adults can feel the zucchini in this recipe or any other baking recipe for that matter.
Nicole says
These cupcakes are SO moist and delicious! I made them for my son's one year old birthday. Perfect recipe for little ones. I did modify it a little.. I used whole wheat flour (not pastry). Instead of sugar, I substituted 1/2 cup of maple syrup and subtracted 2 tablespoons of almond milk (before putting 1 TBL of vinegar with it) because the maple syrup makes it more moist. I made them with zucchini and served them with a no sugar added vegan frosting consisting of soaked cashews, pitted dates and a little bit of almond milk (blended until it was really creamy). They were a hit even with people that thought these cupcakes sounded "weird". haha Gotta love it! A crowd pleaser.. oh and the cupcakes were perfectly sweet 🙂 Thanks for a great recipe. P.S. The batter was AMAZING!
Madhuram says
Your ideas are amazing Nicole. I too am going to try the vegan frosting. Thanks.
Steve says
Do you know how many grams of fat, protein, carbs and fiber are in each cupcake?
Madhuram says
I don't know Steve. I have started including nutritional information for recipes recently. I think it's going to take a while to do the same for older recipes.
Steve says
No worries Madhuram. Thanks for answering. I can figure it out on eTools on the WW site. I just need to take the time to enter all the ingredients.
Chelsea says
I love this recipe. Have made many times trying it with rice, hemp or coconut milk and always comes out delicious. And I've tried with zucchini, carrot and beets. We like it with less sugar too. Great recipe!
Madhuram says
Beet and carrots looks like a wonderful option too, Chelsea. Did you just shred raw beets
tros says
It is a good recipe. Mine worked perfectly (one tablespoon of flax meal and two of hot water instead of applesauce)
Thank you.
Madhuram says
You're welcome Tros.
Robin says
These are fantastic! I needed a recipe to accommodate a kid who has allergies to eggs, dairy, and nuts (including soy). This fit the bill. I did a trial run tonight, and they are de-lish! Since it will be a birthday party, I did use all-purpose flour and about a cup of sugar. Thank you for sharing this recipe - we will have a happy birthday party guest!
Madhuram says
You're welcome Robin.
Priya says
They looks super moist and damn attractive.
Erica says
How sweet are these? Can I do 1/2C sugar instead? My son doesn't like sweet desert type things ( he doesn't like cake!! ) And I MIGHT be using things to try to get him to like things like that a bit more (birthday parties are hard right now. He eats a lot of vegan things due to allergies)
Madhuram says
Sorry, Erica, I don't remember how sweet it was. Usually, we too don't prefer very sweet treats. I'm guessing it shouldn't be much.