Chocolate Cupcakes
FEEL LIKE A LITTLE CHOCOLATE THERAPY ? Well here it is.
Delicious one bowl chocolate cupcakes that take a few minutes to make with just a few basic healthy ingredients. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that cocoa which comes in the form of cocoa powder and dark chocolate can improve heart health, lower blood pressure and reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. When choosing cocoa powder or chocolate to eat, make sure to choose the dark variety as it has a higher antioxidant content than milk chocolate. I’ve used almond meal in this recipe which makes these cupcakes deliciously moist with a lovely crumb and the macadamia nut oil adds a lovely sweetness and full of good heart healthy mono-unsturated fats. You can also use olive oil or almond oil in place of macadamia nut oil if you prefer. These cupcakes keep well for about 5 days and can be eaten warm or at room temperature. I love these topped with smashed berry sauce or topped with my home made chocolate and macadamia nut nutella.
1 ½ cups (150g) almond meal
¼ cup (21 g) unsweetened good quality cocoa powder
1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder
2 free range/ organic eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
60 ml (1/4 cup) macadamia nut oil
60 ml milk (¼ cup) your choice of dairy, almond or soy
2 tablespoons honey
Preheat oven to 160 C – fan forced. 180 C no fan.
Combine almond meal, cocoa powder and baking powder.
Add the eggs, oil, milk and honey then mix well to form a smooth batter.
Spoon into 12 small individual cupcake tins.
Bake for 25 minutes until puffed and cooked through.
Serve alone or topped with chocolate frosting or raspberry sauce.
Nutrition per cupcake:
Protein: 4.3 g
Total fat: 13 g
Saturated: 1.6 g
Carbs: 5.4 g
kilojoules: 645
Calories: 154
Hi teresa, These sounda amzing (like all ur creations!). How do u think it would go substituting half almond meal with half Oat Bran??
Stacie
Not sure about the oat bran without testing…you could try it and let me know. Can’t guarantee it without testing first. x
Teresa, these look and sound delicious. A page for me to bookmark! Where did you find the beautiful little liners?
I made them myself Lizzy – can’t buy them. Tx
looks amazing!
would hazelnut meal give the same results? what are your views on other nut meals?
cheers xx
Hazelnut meal would be lovely too ! as will walnut meal and brazil nut meal. I love the almonds because of their neutral flavour so they don’t overpower the chocolate too much. T:)
Can I use grapeseed oil instead of macadamia?
Yes you can ….you can also use olive oil or almond oil which is another favourite. x
haha!! YAYYYY!!! So excited hun, cant wait to make these!!! Hey next post – homemade Chocolate and Macadamia nutella!! ???? x
On it – Macadamia nut nutella coming soon ! TX
My mouth actually watered at the thought of healthy nutella. I’m obsessed.
Me too its my weakness! A healthy alternative would be amazing!
Hi T, Is there a recipe for the ‘healthy nutella’ yet? I’m hanging out for it x
The anticipated chocolate recipe has finally arrived! I just recently bought coconut oil to try out will it work in this?
Yes for sure it will. x
Hi Teresa
Do you think these would be suitable for someone with diabetes?
Thanks
They are low GI and amount of honey very low so yes definately ! x
These look amazing! I am vegan.. Is there anyway of leaving the eggs out and substituting with anything? Thanks
Yes there is a way, you can use smashed bananas or apple puree in place of the eggs ….however this will need testing as amounts will change…Tx
used 3/4 banana mashed and these turned out fantastic! thanks for the recipe. Yum!
Gorgeous, I will be making these for the kids after school today! One question – can I use my Loving Earth Raw Cacao Powder instead of unsweetened cocoa powder? Thanks Teresa xx
Love Loving Earth. Yes it’s the same thing. Tx
Thank-you xx
Would Coconut Oil work for these?
yes it would Samantha.
Yummo! Do you think they could work well without they honey if I added stevia as a sweetener?
Yes they will work with stevia for sure. I would suggest maybe adding some prunes or dates or some sort of other fruit to the mix to add a little more sweetness. You could also half the honey and replace with stevia. to balance out the taste.
Rice syrup is a great fructose free substitute for the honey too.
These look great, thank you! Just have a quick question:
How long will these keep for (and are they ok to freeze)?
could I add some frozen raspberries to the mix? Love the paper wraps, did you make them out of newspaper?
Yes Ellen ! frozen raspberries would be amazing ! 150 g
Perfect timing for today! Will you be posting the Homemade chocolate and macadamia nutella?!!! Sounds amazing!!
Hi Teresa, I know these are ‘flourless’ cupcakes, but is it possible to make them with wholemeal flour?
Sooo making these tomorrow! Thank you for all your great recipes – love gluten, dairy and refined sugar free options! xo
Thanks for another amazing recipe. Would it be ok if I omitted the vanilla? Also a question in advance – I’m looking forward to your nutella recipe but can you please tell me if you have to use sterilized jars or just any clean jar for that. Thank you!
Can these be frozen after they’re cooked?
Yes these can be frozen.
I made these last night and they were delicious! Thanks Teresa, I am a reformed sweet tooth with a love for baking and I’m so glad I can still enjoy baking without the guilt
I added shredded coconut! it was amazing! tasted like a healthy coconut rough yummo
Made these on Saturday… big hit! Thank you!
3 great flours are buckwheat, coconut and quinoa….recipe is not the same and will need to work out the best ratio….back to you soon..:)
any news on the substitute of almond meal for spelt flour?
These are so yummy! I made mine with walnut meal and made 24 baby muffins from the mix. Really chocolatey & lovely!
Hi Teresa,
Just came across this recipe after a google search. Looks great and i can’t wait to try it.
Just wondering how you would alter the cooking time to make it as a cake rather than muffins. What size tim would you use?
I make alot of your recipes Teresa……I think your recipes are amazing!!! I have made these cupcakes several times, and they are just so moist and melt in your mouth, and definitely cure a chocolate craving….I use organic raw cacao when I make these, and substitute the honey for rice syrup….amazing!!
Have made these a few times and are an absolute favourite with all the family. Thanks for the fantastic recipes
Sounds delicious! I also LOVE those newspaper cups you’ve used in the photo. Where can I get them?!
Just made these to replace Easter eggs .. they are fantastic. Going to a friend’s place for dinner tonight, taking these for our dessert with the raspberry sauce and low fat yoghurt. Love your recipes .. feeling so much healthier.
Fab with a smear of Loving Earth Chocolate Coconut butter and all fruit raspberry Jam!! Thanks Teresa
Just made these substituting coconut oil… perfect with a cuppa on a cold wet day like this. Thank you !
Kylie did you substitute the same amount (1/4) cup of coconut oil? Solid or melted?
Hi teresa,
You have changed my life and the health of my kids. I was a chocoholic. Now I substitute Cadbury dairy milk for your delicious chocololate cup cake, sliver of healthy carrot cake or gluten free blueberry muffins and I never have to feast on them. I savour the one.
I was skeptical at first using almond meal. Now I use almond meal all the time.
Regarding the chocolate cupcake recipe- I use 1/4 cup of honey. It balances out the rawness of the raw cacao powder I use.
Question- is raw cacoa better than baking cocoa
Sandra
Hey T, just made these for work, turned out amazing. Love your lil liners too. Thanks for being so inspiring. Hope your well x
Hey Tammy, nice to hear from you. ! Hope you’re well too and wrapped you love my cupcakes. xx
We love It all. Aaron and I are going to cook our way through your site, will let you know how we go. X
Hi Teresa,
I am a bit chocolate lover and these cupcakes look amazing, but I have a nut allergy, so is there anything that you can suggest as a substitute for the almond meal (other than other nut meals)?
Thank you!
Emma
hi may i know what can i substitute the macadamia and coconut oil with ? i don’t like the taste of it.any suggestions?
I need to try this one again. I enjoyed the first attempt but made the mistake of using a strong extra virgin olive oil instead of a lighter flavoured olive oil, so it was noticeable in the end product. I’ve invested in macadamia oil now anyway, so looking forward to round 2….
After going starch-free and sugar-free over 18 months ago, my health has improved however dessert time was always a cue to leave the room. Since I found your website, I’ve enjoyed cooking treats for myself and these chocolate cupcakes are the latest recipe of yours I’ve tried. Scrumptious! I used hazelnut meal instead of almond meal and added grated zest of an orange for that ‘jaffa’ taste.
When I’m feeling more adventurous I’d like to try adding zucchini or beetroot too. Has anyone tried this?
Also, would this recipe work as a cake?
I just made these for the millionth time but used Mesquite powder instead of cocoa and rice syrup instead of honey……they turned out beautiful! So maybe a caramel version of these??
These were very yummy and moist. Thanks Teresa!
Hi Teresa,
I would like to make these to take to my daughters school tomorrow and was wondering if you had tried them with spelt flour or buckwheat yet?
give them a go Maria ! let me know how they work out.
ok, doing it now will let you know, thanks
Hi Teresa,
The first batch were good but a little firm, I baked the second batch for 15minutes and they are perfect in texture but I think they really need the almond meal as they taste a little bland, also I used olive oil and the taste is quite strong through the cupcake. I’m sure the kids will love them anyway. I’m loving your recipes, especially the banana bread with spelt flour and your apple cake, my kids love them too. Thank you.
My daughter made last night for her lunch box snacks this week. She’s really pleased they are grain free and low sugar and actually taste good. We are going to try adding banana next time.
Thanks