momstown Victoria Junior Chef: Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

momstown.ca is celebrating its 6th birthday this month, so at this month's Junior Chef program, momstown Victoria moms and kids made these delicious egg and dairy-free chocolate cupcakes! I love doing this recipe with my kids because it only needs one bowl (or try mixing it right in an 8 x 8-inch cake pan instead of cupcakes!) And because it's egg-free, I can let the kids lick the spoon!

Ultra Easy Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

Whisk together in a large bowl:

1 ½ cups flour

1 cup sugar*

¼ cup nonalkalized cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

Add:

1 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir with a rubber spatula just until smooth. Fill 12 muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cakey part of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool completely on a rack before frosting or sprinkling with powdered sugar.

Variations: 

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes - very similar recipe, uses soymilk and substitutes balsamic vinegar instead of regular vinegar. Also adds in 3/4 cup frozen or fresh raspberries and 1/3 cup chocolate chips!

Black Bottom Cupcakes - makes 18 cupcakes instead of 12. In a separate bowl, cream together: 1 8-oz package of cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/3 cup sugar and
1 cup chocolate chips. Fill each muffin cup halfway, and top with a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Bake 20-25 minutes and let cool completely. 

*Is white sugar vegan? Most white sugar from sugarcane goes through a purification process where it is filtered through bone charcoal (animal origin,) so some vegans avoid it. For a true vegan recipe, simply substitute another sweetener and it will be just as good! :)