Easy, one-bowl healthy chocolate mini cupcakes are 100% whole wheat, low in sugar and have no butter or oil – and they are super fudgy and delicious!
Happy Monday! Well, only semi happy here, to be perfectly honest.
My team lost the Super Bowl yesterday. Lost big. Lost bad. And we were so pumped! The whole family, M and J, all of us, were so into it. Dabbing. Chants. Cheers. Excitement!
But we lost.
Sigh. That was yesterday, and this is today.
So now, I’m all about Valentine’s Day!
If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that I don’t buy candy for my kids. Ever. They get it at preschool, from family on occasion and I do buy a little as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, but that’s it.
It works pretty great because they never, ever ask me for candy. Because mama doesn’t buy candy. It’s already ingrained, so there’s just no battle there. #onelessthing
However, that doesn’t mean they are deprived. Far from it.
Behold:
Healthy chocolate mini cupcakes
These double chocolate mini cupcakes have been a big hit at our house this Valentine’s Day. I also made some regular size cupcakes out of these and M was a very happy girl. Does it get better than cupcakes?
Not when you are 4, apparently. 😉
And these unbelievably soft, light, chocolate-loaded cupcakes, well, these make mama happy too. They’re 100% whole wheat, low in sugar and don’t have any butter or oil.
Plus, they are so sweet that you don’t even need icing.
All around, it’s a much healthier version of cupcakes. And you better believe I popped a couple myself!
Also, just one bowl needed. So you won’t mind making a second batch 3 days after the first one has been devoured. 😂
Oh, and they are vegan-friendly as well. Just use soy milk and vegan chocolate chips. (M used to have a milk allergy – outgrown now! – so we’ve made lots of vegan treats.)
Oh, and in case you need some, I use mini muffin pans like this all the time – especially for the kids’ muffins.
I recommend storing these little cupcakes in the fridge after the first day. (I actually like them cold so I keep them in the fridge once they’re cooled.)
They freeze well, too, if you want to get the extras out of sight so you don’t eat.them.all.
Because you will want to. They will whisper sweet chocolate nothings, beckoning you to snag just one more. #myfoodspeakstome Also, definite #portioncontrolproblems 😂
As I said, you can make these as healthy chocolate mini cupcakes or you can make full chocolate cupcakes.
I prefer the small ones. It works better for my little ones to have a smaller sweet snack and I prefer having a couple little ones instead of a whole cupcake.
Plus then I can have one every day. Or maybe multiple times a day… who’s counting?!
Just look at that! So very fudgy!
Whether you make these for Valentine’s Day or just to satisfy the must.have.chocolate feeling, I hope you enjoy these super chocolatey mini cupcakes!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Check out these other healthy chocolate treats:
– Healthy chocolate chip muffins
– Whole wheat chocolate baked donuts
– 5-minute healthy chocolate pudding
Healthy double chocolate mini cupcakes
Easy, one-bowl chocolate mini cupcakes are 100% whole wheat, low in sugar and have no butter or oil - and they are super fudgy!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (see notes)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 extra teaspoon whole wheat flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a mini muffin tin pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl until well combined.
- Make a well in the center and add the applesauce, milk and vanilla. Stir until just combined.
- Toss the chocolate chips with the extra flour (this helps keep the from sinking in the batter and sticking to the bottom of the muffin tins). Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.
- Fill your mini muffin tins. Each muffin cup should be about 3/4 full.
- Bake at 350 for 14-16 minutes, until done.
- Let cool completely in pan before turning out. (Otherwise the chocolate chips can stick to the muffin pan instead of to the cupcakes. Sad.)
Notes
I use white whole wheat flour but you can use whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour if you prefer.
You can make these mini cupcakes vegan by using a milk substitute and vegan chocolate chips.
For full-size cupcakes, fill the muffin tins with paper liners and spray with cooking spray. (These don’t have butter or oil so they can stick really easily.) Bake the cupcakes at 350 for 22-24 minutes, until done. Let cool before removing. Makes 10 full-size cupcakes.
You can also split the batch and make 6 big cupcakes and 12 mini cupcakes.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
15Serving Size:
2 mini cupcakesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 107Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 151mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Obviously my team lost too… sigh. It was not a pretty game that’s for sure. Guess we need to stuff our face with these Mini cupcakes and eat our feelings, huh? Love that you always put a healthy spin on decadent dishes, Kathryn! DOUBLE chocolate cupcakes make mini and healthy?!? What’s not to love?? Delicious! Cheers, my dear!
Kathryn says
It was a sad loss… but a great season! And yes, I may be wallowing a little with chocolate today 🙂
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet says
This was a crazy Super Bowl for us – I grew up in a bronco-loving family, but my boyfriend and I live in North Carolina now. I figured it was a win/win either way 🙂 Love these chocolately cupcakes – looks like your kiddos love them, too!
Kathryn says
That’s pretty cool – you win either way with this match-up!
lisa @ garlicandzest.com says
These cupcakes look so moist! I’m sold. I like the smaller version too – like a quick one bite snack — I don’t feel guilty at all!
Kathryn says
They really are super soft and moist – it’s all the applesauce holding them together! Glad you love a bite-size treat too!
Willow | Will Cook For Friends says
These sound so. freakin. good! Almost like brownies in little muffin form. I’ll take a dozen, haha!
Kathryn says
Yes, they are like little brownie bites! And I’m with you on a dozen 😉
Jenn says
These little mini cupcakes looks delightful! I love the mini size…kids are still getting a treat, but it’s nice control of portion size!
Kathryn says
Thanks Jenn! Yes, I like the portion control part of these – for the kiddos and for me!
Sonal says
Our team won and won good…no no not trying to rub it in but just saying 😜…just kidding!!
These double chocolate cupcakes are perfect for Valentine and any day!
More admiration for you for not giving into the candy demands..
Kathryn says
Haha, congrats on your win! I’m bummed but we had an awesome season so I’m holding my head high and still saying Go Panthers! These little chocolate babies are certainly helping me feel better, too. 😉
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Gotta love extra chocolate. Since these are mini I’d totally eat a dozen and feel fine about it 😉
Kathryn says
Haha, I like your style Matt 🙂
Sarah and Laura @ Wandercooks says
Ohhh you had us at chocolate! Looks so easy and delicious!
Kathryn says
Easy and chocolate and – bonus! – healthy – ALL good things in my book 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
At least your team was in it! Sorry for the loss, though (my hometown team — Cleveland Browns — is so far removed, and my adopted home team — AZ Cardinals — came really close)! These looks so good! Love the “double chocolate” part — yum!
Kathryn says
It was excited just to have our team go 🙂 And yes, double chocolate is always a good thing! 🙂
Shreyashi says
Hey Kathryn,
The cupcakes looked great. I like how you ration candy for your kids. Kids these days are too hopped up on sugar anyway.
Coming to the recipe, the use of applesauce is genius. I always love it when people use applesauce for baking.
Kathryn says
Thanks! Agreed on the candy front. They still get it so I don’t feel the need to add to it at all! And agree again – I love how healthy, light and moist applesauce makes baked goods 🙂
Adina says
Such pretty muffins, my two would love them too.
Kathryn says
Thanks Adina!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
Looks like you made M very happy indeed with these little gems, Kathryn! That’s one happy, chocolately smile right there! These muffins have my name all over them, too. This week has been a serious muffin frenzy in our house! I’ve already made two batches and it’s only Tuesday! So we’ve been having muffins for breakfast, morning tea, afternoon tea and dessert. The best bit? We just don’t get sick of them! These fudgy, chocolately ones will be next on my list of muffiny things to devour 😀 Pinned!
Kathryn says
Girl loves her some chocolate! Must get it from me 😉 Hope you love them, too!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
Oh my gosh, that cute FACE!!! Love that you have made chocolate healthier and still scrumptious. 🙂
Kathryn says
Haha, thanks Kate!
Summer says
M is such a little cutie pie! And those cupcakes look so yummy ♥
summerdaisy.net
Kathryn says
Aw, thanks Summer 🙂
[email protected] says
That game was the worst! I was even rooting for the Panthers because I didn’t want the Broncos to win. UGH!! On happier note, these cupcakes are delicious looking! One bowl and healthy? Can it be true? All I know is that M knows what’s good and if she loves them, then I know I’ll love them too 🙂
Kathryn says
Right, Karrie? Such a let-down… but I’m trying to stay positive because it was an awesome season and, well, there’s that at least. Anyway, M is definitely the ultimate taste tester and she highly approves of these little cupcakes — and particularly their bigger counterparts 😉
Frugal Hausfrau says
These would’t be so healthy for me because I just KNOW i’d eat like 10 of them! lol! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Kathryn says
Haha, I have that problem too 😉
Jen says
These are really delicious. My 2 year old is obsessed with chocolate and so I make these as a healthier option and call it “chocolate cake”. He LOVES them!
Kathryn says
Haha, so glad to hear they are a hit with your little boy! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ifa says
Hi Kathryn!
I’m a healthy baker newbie lol!
Glad that i found your wonderful website here 😍
I’d like to ask something (well idk if my question will be out of topic or not but let me just ask then)
Ok, can i sub the baking powder to yeast as i used to bake doughnuts with a dry yeast instead of using baking powder?
I haven’t tried to bake whole-wheat flour with yeast either but before i dunk my batter into my trash can let me just waiting for your reply 😂
Thank you so much & Have a wonderful night there ❤️🙏
Kathryn says
Hi there – so glad you found me! Unfortunately, I don’t think yeast would be a good substitution here. It would likely throw off the chemical mix and mess up the cupcakes. I’d stick with baking powder. Hope that helps!
Sue says
Is there any substitution for the applesauce?
Kathryn Doherty says
Hi Sue! You could try using part extra milk and part melted butter or canola oil in place of the applesauce. Would love to hear how it goes if you try it. 😊