Craving a decadent chocolate treat without the sugar overload? Get ready to discover the ultimate Lower Sugar Chocolate Cupcakes that will satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your health goals intact! These moist, rich cupcakes prove that healthy desserts can be absolutely delicious, offering all the chocolate goodness you love with a clever twist of reduced sugar and sneaky nutritious ingredients.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure no lumps remain.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, unsweetened applesauce, milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense cupcakes.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Gently tap the muffin tin on the counter to release any air bubbles and ensure even distribution of the batter.
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting or serving.
- Optional: Dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or top with a low-sugar frosting if desired.
Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother mixing and better texture
- Don't overmix the batter - stop stirring as soon as ingredients are just combined to keep cupcakes light and fluffy
- Check cupcakes a few minutes before recommended baking time, as oven temperatures can vary
- The applesauce acts as a natural sweetener and moisture enhancer, so don't skip this ingredient
- For extra moisture, you can substitute some milk with Greek yogurt
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before adding any frosting to prevent melting
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 35mg
