People love Red Velvet.
But why does it have to only be red velvet? What about green velvet, purple velvet, or—dare I say it—blue velvet? When I was asked to make cupcakes for a boy baby shower, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to try my hand at blue velvet cupcakes. However, two problems existed: One, I wanted the cupcakes to be natural (no blue food coloring). And two, I didn’t have a healthy chocolate cupcake recipe!
EDIT: There is finally now also a  Healthy Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe.
Experiments are always fun when they include chocolate, because you get to eat the not-so-perfect trials. (Fortunately and unfortunately for me, I got this cupcake recipe right on the first try.) At first, I’d planned to use a recipe straight from the cookbook, VCTOTW. But as I worked, I changed it up completely!
Blue Velvet Cupcakes
(healthy and low-fat!)
- 1 cup spelt or white flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2Â tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup sugar of choice
- 1 and 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup yogurt (I used SoDelicious plain coconut)
- 3 tablespoons canola oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1/2 cup blueberries (60 grams)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mash or puree the blueberries (or just leave ’em whole). Mix dry ingredients, then add in wet. Don’t overmix. Pour into 12 cupcake liners, and bake 22-24 minutes. The blueberries didn’t exactly turn the cupcakes blue; but they are blue in spirit… and when you bite into one, you can see the blue from those lovely–and antioxidant-packed–berries.
Click for notes about a fat-free version.
Since I wasn’t really a guest at the shower, I didn’t eat one of the final-product cupcakes. However, I did eat an unfrosted one (straight out of the oven) that morning as part of my breakfast! Someone had to be a taste-tester, right?
The Icing on the Cake
2013 EDIT: I frosted the cupcakes with Pillsbury (surprisingly vegan), but if I were to make them again I would use my new favorite frosting of choice: Vegan Cool Whip. Just add a blueberry or two for a vibrant frosting.
I’m surprised at how blue they turned out! Blueberries usually seem to turn stuff purple. They look great!
There’s actually only a very tiny *hint* of blue on the outside… but when you bite into them, the blue comes full-force at you from the blueberries! 🙂
I seem to be in the minority in NOT wanting children, and I’ve known this since I was eleven years old. It’s good to be clear whether you do or don’t hey, so you can make the decisions that will or won’t bring them into your life? : ) All my friends are in the always wanted camp, with one who has found herself to be infertile, which apparently goes with being gluten intolerant too. : (
That blue frosting is gorgeous! Love the color.
I have a box of food colorings made with 100% vegetable juice (beets, carrots, etc.) It was expensive, so I haven’t opened it yet, lol.
I love when experiments have surprisingly fantastic results. These cupcakes look amazing! Blueberries are such a great idea! I love to bake with So Delicious coconut milk, creamer, and yogurt, and this recipe lets me use two of the three. Cannot wait to try it!
I hope you love it! 🙂
where can u print the coupon for the Blue Velvet cupcakes?
Sorry, I’m confused: what coupon?
Those look soooo good!! So going to try them!!
I for sure want kids!! I still gotta find a man first haha.. Right now my favorite names are ocean and kenyah for girls and Israel and izayiah for boys… Yes spelling is wacky but I like it
We just had blue velvet cupcakes at my wedding 2 weeks ago!!!
THESE ARE AMAZING!!!! I love that they are BLUE, not red!!!! How awesome! 🙂
These look yummy! Is there a difference between white whole wheat flour and pastry flour?
yes
Gorgeous blue color, Katie! I’m sure it was delightful. I will try this with some fresh garden blueberries! Thanks for posting.