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! My team lost the Super Bowl yesterday. Such a bummer.
So today, I’m moving on and it's all about Valentine’s Day!
My kiddos are on the young side still, so while we love to indulge around holidays, I do try and keep it on the healthier side.
(Plus, they have endless preschool parties and treats from grandparents and get plenty of sugar and sweets as it is.)
But of course we gotta have some chocolate this month!
And so we've been making these healthy double chocolate mini cupcakes as a sweet treat!
(Another favorite for little ones is this toddler Valentine's Day snack mix!)
These little bites have been a big hit at our house. I mean, does it get better than cupcakes? Even bite-sized ones?
Not for my 4-year-old daughter it sure doesn't!
And these unbelievably soft, light, chocolate-loaded cupcakes, well, these make mama happy too.
They are 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. (Of course, feel free to add some if you'd like!)
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 stinking easy.
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 if needed.
Oh, and in case you need some, I use mini muffin pans like this all the time.
And if you are like me and love some healthy chocolate recipes, here are a few of our other favorites.
Healthy chocolate chip muffins are great anytime of day - for an afternoon snack, for a late night dessert and even for a fun breakfast!
Speaking of chocolate at breakfast, check out these whole wheat chocolate baked donuts and these healthy chocolate pancakes.
Or try this gluten-free and vegan-friendly 5-minute healthy chocolate pudding.
Back to these mini chocolate cupcakes though. Just look at that above! So very fudgy!
Last thing, let's talk about how to store these.
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. Just place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag, label and date it, and freeze for up to 4-5 months.
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
Healthy Double Chocolate Mini Cupcakes
Ingredients
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour, see notes
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¾ 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 ¾ 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.)
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
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
It was a sad loss... but a great season! And yes, I may be wallowing a little with chocolate today 🙂
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
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
That's pretty cool - you win either way with this match-up!
lisa @ garlicandzest.com
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
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
These sound so. freakin. good! Almost like brownies in little muffin form. I'll take a dozen, haha!
Kathryn
Yes, they are like little brownie bites! And I'm with you on a dozen 😉
Jenn
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
Thanks Jenn! Yes, I like the portion control part of these - for the kiddos and for me!
Sonal
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
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
Gotta love extra chocolate. Since these are mini I'd totally eat a dozen and feel fine about it 😉
Kathryn
Haha, I like your style Matt 🙂
Sarah and Laura @ Wandercooks
Ohhh you had us at chocolate! Looks so easy and delicious!
Kathryn
Easy and chocolate and - bonus! - healthy - ALL good things in my book 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
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
It was excited just to have our team go 🙂 And yes, double chocolate is always a good thing! 🙂
Shreyashi
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
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
Such pretty muffins, my two would love them too.
Kathryn
Thanks Adina!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry
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
Girl loves her some chocolate! Must get it from me 😉 Hope you love them, too!
Kate @ Framed Cooks
Oh my gosh, that cute FACE!!! Love that you have made chocolate healthier and still scrumptious. 🙂
Kathryn
Haha, thanks Kate!
Summer
M is such a little cutie pie! And those cupcakes look so yummy ♥
summerdaisy.net
Kathryn
Aw, thanks Summer 🙂
karrie@TastyEverAfter
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
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
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
Haha, I have that problem too 😉
Jen
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
Haha, so glad to hear they are a hit with your little boy! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ifa
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
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
Is there any substitution for the applesauce?
Kathryn Doherty
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. 😊