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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Desserts

    Healthy Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

    Published: Jun 27, 2022 · Modified: Nov 4, 2022 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 33 Comments

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    Healthy Vanilla Cupcakes Pinterest image pin

    Healthy Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting -These delicious cupcakes are made with a surprising ingredient that adds both protein and body. They're topped with a creamy, avocado-based frosting, making them the epitome of healthy eating!

    Vanilla cupcake with frosting on a white plate.

    Let me open with, this is our family's FAVORITE cupcake recipe.

    Not just our favorite healthy cupcakes, but our favorite cupcakes, period.

    In fact, my husband requests this recipe pretty much every year for his birthday. He adores a good vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting!

    Why we love this recipe

    Not only do these cupcakes taste like the bad-for-you boxed yellow cake mixes, but they also boast a decent amount of protein.

    They're allergy-friendly, in that they are gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, and dairy-free. For our family, this recipe is great because everyone can eat them!

    So, what's the protein source? Beans!

    White beans, along with coconut flour and eggs, make up the base of this recipe.

    I use a combination of honey and stevia to sweeten them, and the chocolate 'frosting' gives them that 'special occasion' status!

    Vanilla cupcake with a bite out.

    How to make healthy vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting

    Let's start with the cake!

    Vanilla cupcake ingredients on a table.

    Blend the ingredients well to ensure the batter is smooth and that there are no pieces of bean.

    • Vanilla cupcake ingredients in a food processor.
    • Blended cupcake ingredients.
    • Dry ingredients for a cupcake recipe.
    • Blended ingredients for vanilla cupcakes.

    Same goes for the frosting; it should be blended or processed long enough to achieve a smooth consistency.

    • Chocolate frosting ingredients.
    • Avocado chocolate frosting in a blender.

    FAQs

    What type of beans work best?

    The two best beans for this recipe are cannellini and Great Northern. I prefer the latter, taste-wise.

    Can I use an egg replacer?

    No, unfortunately, egg substitutes do not work here.

    Is there a substitute for the applesauce?

    You can use plain full-fat or low-fat yogurt or even sour cream for the applesauce.

    Healthy cupcake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.

    Tips and tricks

    Begin with room temperature ingredients, as coconut oil can clump when mixed with anything cold.

    For a cupcake with a taller top, fill 10 muffin cups; for a smaller cupcake top, fill 12. We make 11, which is what the photos depict.

    If you'd like to lower the sugar a bit, substitute one tablespoon of water for one tablespoon of maple syrup in the frosting, along with a few drops of stevia.

    Not an avocado fan? Try some of these other 'frosting' recipes!

    Low Sugar Chocolate Frosting

    Date-Sweetened Fudge Frosting

    Coconut Oil Chocolate Frosting

    Healthy vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting on a white plate.
    Print Recipe
    4.50 from 8 votes

    Healthy Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

    These delicious cupcakes are made with a surprising ingredient that gives them both protein and body. They're topped with a creamy, avocado-based frosting.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time24 mins
    Total Time39 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Beans, Coconut flour, Gluten-Free, Grain-free
    Servings: 11 cupcakes
    Calories: 170kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    CAKE:

    • 1 15-ounce can white beans (cannellini or Great Northern) rinsed and drained
    • 3 large eggs
    • 3 Tablespoons applesauce
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • 5 Tablespoons honey
    • 3 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon turmeric optional, for color
    • ¼ cup coconut flour 32 grams
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • stevia as desired for extra sweetness

    FROSTING:

    • 1 large, ripe avocado
    • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch sea salt
    • 1-2 teaspoon(s) water as needed to thin

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a food processor, mix the beans, eggs, applesauce, vanilla, honey, oil, salt, and turmeric (if using) until smooth (about 30-60 seconds).
    • In a separate bowl, sift together the coconut flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
    • Add the dry mix into the processor and process until well combined.
    • Taste the batter and add stevia as desired for more sweetness. Usually 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon is good for us!
    • Divide the batter among 10-12 paper muffin cups. I usually get 11 cupcakes.
    • Bake 20-24 minutes or until the top feels firm to the touch.
    • Cool the cupcakes.
    • Add the frosting ingredients to the processor and blend until smooth.
    • Top the cooled cupcakes with the frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts based on using Great Northern beans; also based on making 11 cupcakes.
    WW points: 7

    Nutrition

    Sugar: 11.1g | Fiber: 4.3g | Calories: 170kcal | Fat: 9.1g | Protein: 3.9g | Carbohydrates: 19.9g

    If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!

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    Filed Under: Favorites, Healthy Desserts

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Up Urs💔💀

      July 12, 2022 at 9:12 am

      HOLY....... 😇- they look SO good💙

      Reply
    2. Georgina Tennison

      April 29, 2020 at 9:03 pm

      Hi,
      Can I substitute the coconut flour for almond meal or almond flour?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        April 30, 2020 at 12:20 pm

        I've not tried that, but coconut flour is very absorbent, so I'd worry the recipe would bake correctly. If you try and have success, please let me know.

        Reply
    3. Corinna Tang

      May 14, 2018 at 6:19 am

      Can you make this recipe in a rectangular cake pan instead of cupcakes or would it not be firm enough?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        May 14, 2018 at 9:40 am

        Hi Corinna,

        Yes, you can! Check out the instructions for my shortcake, which is the same recipe: https://www.oatmealwithafork.com/healthy-grain-free-strawberry-shortcake-dairy-free/

        Reply
    4. laurie

      September 07, 2016 at 7:21 am

      thank you for your story and recipe. can't wait to try it for my Mom on her 67th birthday!

      Reply
    5. Corinna

      February 08, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      I tried this recipe to bring cupcakes to a Superbowl party. I think my blender did poorly at pureeing the avocado for the frosting and visually, my kids didn't want to taste them. I will try with my food processor. I am hopeful I can make them look as good and tasty as yours!

      Reply
    6. Yvette

      October 07, 2015 at 5:59 pm

      Could I substitute more applesauce for the eggs? I want to make these for my family but my brother has an egg allergy.

      Reply
      • Yvette

        October 07, 2015 at 6:01 pm

        He also has a honey allergy 🙁

        Reply
      • Lauren

        October 08, 2015 at 9:42 am

        Hi Yvette,

        Coconut flour is tricky in that it needs eggs (or a lot of starch) to bind, so I don't think it would work. I haven't tried though!

        Reply
    7. Meg

      August 06, 2014 at 11:31 am

      People, you have to make these cupcakes!!!!! Don't wait to try them...go get the ingredients now!!!!!! Soooooooo good, you deserve a good healthy dessert!!! Thanks for this recipe!! I used a chocolate cream cheese frosting on top instead though, will try this frosting next, now that I have avocados 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 06, 2014 at 1:45 pm

        Lol, thanks for the enthusiastic endorsement, Meg! I think these are my husband's current favorites too. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Chelsea

      July 16, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      I made these for my dad's birthday and have had several recipe requests. I will be directing them here to you! These cupcakes are absolutely incredible.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 17, 2014 at 9:05 am

        That's great Chelsea, I'm so happy they were a hit! 🙂

        Reply
    9. June Abney

      July 15, 2014 at 9:49 am

      Lauren, these cupcakes look delicious! I cannot eat cannelloni beans...have you tied another white bean in your dessert recipes?

      Your girls are adorable!

      June

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 15, 2014 at 2:21 pm

        Thanks June! You can use any neutral-tasting white bean for these. I suspect even chickpeas would work!

        Reply
    10. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen

      July 06, 2014 at 6:30 am

      What a beautiful ode to your hubby and what a delicious looking cupcake! Pinned and can't wait to try them (I love baking with beans!!).

      Reply
    11. Peggy

      July 02, 2014 at 7:19 pm

      My birthday is next week and I'm making these for myself! These look awesome! And what a great tribute to your husband.

      Reply
    12. Maria

      June 29, 2014 at 5:38 pm

      I cannot wait to try these! Your blog is so wonderful!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 29, 2014 at 5:56 pm

        Aw, thanks Maria! 😀

        Reply
    13. Mike@TheIronYou

      June 29, 2014 at 6:19 am

      Your little girls are ADORABLE and this post was such a good read.
      And the cupcakes look awesome. Great recipe!

      Reply
    14. Kim Garner

      June 28, 2014 at 11:46 am

      I've been looking for a recipe like this for a while. Can't wait to try it! Do you know what other sweetener I could sub for the stevia?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 28, 2014 at 12:26 pm

        Hi Kim,

        I would try 1/3-1/2 cup of granulated sweetener (just to keep the liquid/dry ratio more even). I hope you like them if you try them! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Isadora @ she likes food

      June 27, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      Aww! What a great post, Lauren! I loved reading this! It really takes a special guy to put up with all the crazy things that us woman do, haha! And I'm always so impressed when reading your posts that your husband not only eats all the healthy food that you make, but he actually really enjoys it. My husband is a bit of a pizza addict and I'm still trying to get him to enjoy most of the healthy food that I cook, maybe some day... haha. I hope you guys had an awesome birthday celebration and your girls are absolutely adorable!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 28, 2014 at 12:28 pm

        Thanks so much Izzy! Yes, 'crazy' defines me fairly well on certain days. 😀 My hubby still has his 'unhealthy' habits, but he is definitely a trooper when it comes to trying new things. P.s. I'm still figuring out Monday and will text you about it soon! xo

        Reply
    16. Liz

      June 27, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      I've been a lurker for over a year and a half now. I've lost count of how many times I've read something you've written in your posts and said to myself "I'm the exact same way!" LOL (In this one it was your "wall of stone with my emotions" comment.) At least every other (non WIAW) post there's an "Amen to that, sister" uttered by me. 🙂

      And I just could NOT keep my mouth shut any longer about how absolutely A-DORABLE your girls are, omg. They're so delicious I want to EAT them. 🙂 Please have another one; people who make such cute kids have a duty to procreate as much as they can. 😀

      On a final note, though I don't eat eggs, this recipe SERIOUSLY has me rethinking that. ACTUAL cupcakes made out of beans?! Sign me UP!

      PS I love your "confessions". The other day's admission that sometimes you don't always have the most planned or "proper" dinner was great. My evening meal is usually the one that suffers the most, as well, and, VERY often it's either fruit (in the summer, I can't get enough!) or a hodge podge of leftovers. (A year ago, this was completely reversed whereas my dinner was my most thought out and balanced meal. Funny how things change without you even realizing it. . .) Keep it all comin'! 🙂

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 27, 2014 at 1:46 pm

        Hahaha, your comment cracked me up Liz! I'm so happy you chose to write today. My husband and I go back and forth with having another kid (I never really thought I'd have any), but I'm still undecided. I hope you decide to try this recipe! I don't eat eggs often anymore either, but some recipes can't go without them (namely these and the honey lemon bars). Thanks again for commenting today, and I hope to hear more from you in the future! 🙂

        Reply
    17. Tammy

      June 27, 2014 at 12:01 pm

      This cupcake post came at the perfect time! I've been craving cupcakes for the last few days, but didn't want all the fat/calories/sugar from store-bought ones so I held out. Though my family doesn't have any allergies, I love your website to make most of our dinners and sweets. You keep all the Splenda fake stuff out of your food and use natural ingredients unlike most 'healthy' websites. So happy for you and your family, hope it was a great day.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 27, 2014 at 12:11 pm

        Thank you so much Tammy! We had a great time. 🙂 I hope you enjoy these if you try them!

        Reply
    18. Matt Robinson

      June 27, 2014 at 9:33 am

      What a sweet post, loved reading it. These look sooo good too!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 27, 2014 at 11:54 am

        Thanks Matt! 🙂

        Reply
    19. Marianne

      June 27, 2014 at 5:20 am

      These cupcakes look and super! My husband will love them 🙂

      Sounds like you have a wonderful friend and soul mate. It makes my heart so happy for you. Hugs <3

      Reply
      • Lauren

        June 27, 2014 at 7:54 am

        Thanks so much Marianne! He is a keeper. 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

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