Red Velvet Cup Cakes


The cutest cup cakes you ever did see! These are vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free (contains coconut sugar) but you’d never guess as they’re so tasty. You’ve got to try them!


Course: Sweet Treats Servings: 12

Prep time: 20 min Cook time: 20 min

Difficulty level: Easy

VEGAN

GLUTEN FREE

NATURALLY SWEETENED*

Author: Jennifer Sargison



These beautiful cup cakes sponges are naturally sweetened by using coconut sugar and the colour coming from natural beetroot powder. (you can sub coconut sugar for caster sugar if you like, as coconut sugar does tend to be very expensive, and if you don’t have beet powder then a couple of drops of red food colouring will also work).

*The topping contains quite a lot of refined sugar (icing sugar) but you’d like to keep it very healthy you could simply mix a little agave syrup into natural yogurt with a little beet powder for a completely naturally sweetened bake. I like to add a classic British butter cream frosting (shown in the picture) and enjoy these on special occasions when a little sugar is okay.


Not gluten free? Sub gluten free flour for self raising for a fluffier bake. If you do go with gluten free then they are best eaten on the day or the next day as they do tend to dry out a little due to the gluten free flour, so if your’re making a batch you can share them with family and friends or just divide the mixture in half to make 6 cakes instead of 12 - if it’s just for you or a couple of people.


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

200g buckwheat flour

100g gluten free flour

220g coconut sugar

2 tablespoons ground flax powder

4 tablespoons beetroot powder

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Wet ingredients

325g plantbased milk

140ml rapeseed oil or melted coconut oil

Frosting

100g vegan spread

200g icing sugar (sifted to remove any lumps)

1 teaspoon beetroot powder

1 tablespoon plant milk


Method

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4

  • Prepare a 12 hole muffin tin with muffin cases

  • Simply add the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl

  • Add the wet ingredients and stir it well until the ingredients are fully combined

  • Divide the mixture into the muffin cases and bake for around 20 minutes or until fully cooked

Whilst the cup cakes are baking you can make the frosting

  • Sift the icing sugar and beetroot powder together until it’s fine, combined and lump free

  • Beat the icing sugar and beetroot powder with the vegan spread until its nice and smooth

  • Add the plant milk and softly mix until combined - careful not to over mix as it may become too runny.

  • Once the cupcakes are cooked and have cooled down you may top them with the frosting (or yogurt topping if you are enjoying a healthier version)

  • Top with a raspberry or sprinkles and enjoy



If you do make this then I hope you love it

Any thoughts or comments?

Leave a message below and I’ll get back to you

Big love, Jen x


*For those of you eating a gluten free diet because of a gluten intolerance/allergy to gluten or suffering from celiac disease please check the ingredients listed in my recipes carefully. Although many of my recipes are gluten free please make sure you double check your ingredients to check. I am not intolerant to gluten so am no expert but I still like to provide GF options, please fully read your packets at home before making this, thank you :)