Here is the healthy cupcake recipe that won’t let you down.
Cupcakes so soft and fluffy…
No one will ever guess that they’re low-fat!
I went through five or six attempts before finally achieving the results I wanted: a “no-fail” healthy vanilla cupcake recipe that both health-food eaters and junk-food eaters will love.
Above, a skinny vanilla cupcake with Healthy Glaze Icing.
You can have fun with this recipe: keep it simple, or add just a few ingredients to make blueberry cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, or even chocolate-chip cupcakes. Everyone should keep a good basic cupcake recipe in his or her arsenal.
Can be sugar-free, too!
Skinny Vanilla Cupcakes
(makes 9-10 cupcakes)
Or click if you’d prefer: Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes.
- 1 cup spelt flour, or white flour, or Arrowhead Mills gf mix (140g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ener g powder, or 1 tbs ground flaxmeal
- 4 tbsp xylitol or sugar (54g)
- 2 Nunatural stevia packets (or 2 extra tbsp sugar)
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt of choice (Silk or SoDelicious both work) (230g)
- 1/4 cup milk of choice (60g)
- 3 tbsp coconut or veg oil (can omit, but the cupcakes will be a bit gummy) (36g)
- add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum if using the gf mix
Preheat oven to 350 F, and grease muffin tins. Combine all wet ingredients with the energ or flax, and stir vigorously. In a separate bowl, combine all remaining dry ingredients, and mix very well. Pour wet into dry, and mix until just combined (don’t overmix). Cook 18-20 minutes, then let sit at least 10 before removing from muffin tins.
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Oh Katie, these look so good! I’m going to make them after dinner, and serve them to my family! <3 You're the best ever!!!!
Oooh, I have flavor suggestions! They’re a little out there, but if you’re feeling adventurous:
Basil and Raspberry (one of the best desserts I’ve had in my life was a basil ice cream with raspberry sauce and a cage of caramelized sugar over it, so I think this flavor combo should be pretty good…in fact, I make strawberry, basil, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper sorbet and it is delicious!)
Lemon, cucumber, ginger, and mint- I love this flavor combo!
Pears and red wine – another favorite dessert of mine; which pairs very well with vanilla: pears cooked in red wine, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar (or sweetener); until they’re soft…you could then puree them and use it for the sugar part of the recipe?
Ok, I’m intrigued… I love basil, and I love raspberries so I might have to try your suggestion!
Hi katie! These look awesome! The only problem is my mom likes the chocholate mousse you made but I do not like chocholate. But I want to make these how much coco would you put in half the batch or would you even recommend it?
Make 1/2 this recipe, and maybe try making 1/2 the linked recipe for chocolate ones. It’s a different recipe but many of the ingredients are the same.
I’m trying to think of a way to make these Pumpkin Spice cupcakes….
Either way I’m sure your recipe will be 10x’s better than my last attempt at ‘healthy’ baking (black bean brownie fail!)
A mint chocolate chip cupcake!!
Thanks for this recipe! Can’t wait to try it!
I agree with the coconut suggestions. I’d use coconut extract instead of the vanilla and add shredded coconut.
Yah! Finally a healthy cupcake! I love it!!!
Mmmm.. Delish! Have you ever tried Sweet Rice Flour? You can get it at most asian markets, whole foods, chamberlains (FL only) or online. Might be able to cut back on the sugars a bit? I used it in your chocolate chip cookie recipe (Half oat flour, half Sweet Rice flour) the other day, omitting the white sugar, and they came out perfect!
But fave cupcake or cupcake flavor? Strawberry with a cream cheese or vanilla frosting.. YUM!
I haven’t. I’ll have to look for it!
I am SO going to make these for my birthday! 😀
Hello:)
It’s nice to see a healthy cupcake that looks glossy,fluffy and delicious..vs. dry,flat,and non to appetizing (even though they’re still usually just as delicious!).
Thank you so much for this recipe & continuing to create good-for you desserts! Me & my younger (cupcake obsessed) sister are both vegan and we love desserts,I often tell her that you have to be happy & healthy at the same time which is hard because you can’t be healthy without cake!
With your blog we can be both:D
By the way I think a chocolate version would be perfect for a bachelorette party.Chocolate is a womans best friend,one should always indulge at such a party (you could even put a little alcohol in it if you wish:/ ).Decorations is the only thing you need to spice it up!
Whatever you choose will be delicious for sure:)