Photo of vegan cupcakes by IsaChandra @ Flickr

After much personal research and testing, the (surprising) answer is YES! I have recipes and bakeshop recommendations to prove it! So you are probably wondering, what do vegan cupcakes taste like? Pretty much like normal cupcakes–seriously. Even non-vegans enjoy vegan cupcakes too. Not just enjoy them, but crave them. Desperately. Just to let you know, I am far from a vegan. But I discovered the joys of vegan baking while I was pregnant and looking for ways to enjoy my favorite sweets with less fat and calories.

Vegan cupcakes can be fluffy and decadent, just like traditional versions with the right substitutions. Many horrible vegan recipes are out there, which unfortunately, gives vegan baking a bad rap. But Isa Chandra struck gold with her veganized versions of traditional baked goods. She perfectly simulates the buttery flavor and moist texture of cupcakes with the use of vegetable based substitutes. Genius! Her book can be purchased here for just $10.85 through Shop the Good Life.
Bakers out there: break away from your dependence on artery clogging ingredients. There are healthier alternatives that taste just as good, let’s get with it! Live a little longer, enjoy the good life a little more.

(Yes! they are vegan!) Photo by www.sugar-skull.com

Here is a recipe to make 16 chocolate vegan cupcakes, adapted from an original recipe by Isa Chandra:

Ingredients

• 1 cup soy milk
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, chocolate extract, or more vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder, Dutch-processed or regular
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• (optional) 2 teaspoons of flavored liquor, such as Grand Marnier or Kahlua (non-vegan FYI) for that extra kick!

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
2. Whisk together the soy milk and vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside for a few minutes to curdle. Add the sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and other extract, if using, to the soy milk mixture and beat until foamy. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add in two batches to wet ingredients and beat until no large lumps remain (a few tiny lumps are OK).
3. Pour into liners, filling 3/4 of the way. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Mini cupcakes by Leda’s Bakery

For Frosting

• 1/2 cup nonhydrogenated shortening
• 1/2 cup nonhydrogenated margarine, we use Earth Balance
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted if clumpy
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup plain soy milk or soy creamer

Frosting Directions

1. Beat the shortening and margarine together until well combined and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat for about 3 more minutes.
2. Add the vanilla and soy milk, and beat for another 5 to 7 minutes until fluffy.
3. (Some Variation Ideas) Mix in 2 tsp cocoa powder for chocolate frosting, or crumbled Oreos (yes they are vegan) for cookies and cream flavor!

If you can’t believe that vegan cupcakes really taste good, then please run over to Leda’s Bakeshop right now in Sherman Oaks. They make vegan versions of most of their cupcakes and they are so luxurious, I would never have known! They also have cute fondant toppings. But as default, they do not put them on the vegan versions unless you ask, because the sugar used to make them is not “certified vegan”. Not sure what that entails, but it sounds pretty close to vegan for me.

Beautiful fondant toppings by Leda’s Bakery

LA: Leda’s 13722 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 www.ledasbakeshop.com

* I actually also have the non-vegan recipe for Leda’s Cupcakes!! She gave it out a long time ago, before the bakeshop was really popular. Leave me a comment if you would like it, and I can send it to you.

Resources:

Vegan Cupcake Cookbook only $10.85 through Shop the Good Life.

Cupcake bakeware deals